Douglas M Robinson's Comments

Thought you might find this interesting: USDA Maps the Need For Small Slaughterhouses

http://food.change.org/blog/view/usda_maps_the_need_for_small_slaughterhouses

Pat

Douglas, enjoyed meeting you. I can tell how passionate you are about your farm. When you have specifics about your product and plans, let us know and we will start sending out to our contacts.

Here is Baucom's website. I think he will be a really helpful person to talk to: http://www.baucomsbest.com/

Slow Food Charlotte: http://slowfoodcharlotte.org/

Local Harvest: http://www.localharvest.org/

Here is another site that lists grass fed beef: http://www.eatwild.com/index.html

I think our group is too small to be your main source of business but once you are plugged into the local crowd, I think you will find a lot of support. I would talk to Baucom's but also farms like New Town (in Waxhaw) and look for others on the Eat Wild and Local Harvest sites. In talking to them you can find out what's needed, how they go about it and what things to watch out for along the way.

Again, we are happy to share your product information with our group, when you are ready.

I wish you the best!


Pat

Doug, your farm sounds busy and exciting! Hope the baby goat is recovering quickly.

Pat

Doug, how is your farm doing? Where are you located? What products/produce do you have for sale? You are welcome to post a business offering on the Member Resources forum. http://xploringholisticalternatives.ning.com/forum/categories/member-resources/listForCategory

The May 4th outing is a social "moms night out". We haven't had any formal gatherings for the group in quite a while.


Pat

Douglas, I believe that there are families in your area who would be interested in a garden co-op or CSA or local produce, or a work-share arrangement or to have access and distribution of local produce and meat. You are welcome to post to the "Members Resources" forum to offer your ideas and get feed back about how to proceed. The moms here are not a co-op. We have no centralized buying power. We are individual families making individual purchase decisions.

There is a continuum of concern regarding different food issues. Some of us choose only organic for our families. Some choose to emphasize local farmers. Some focus on cost. Some are concerned with the environmental impact of long distance transportation. So, depending upon your farming priorities, there will be different customers.

Currently, there are multiple Farmer's Markets locally which offer produce, meats, and milk (in SC). I know a bunch of mamas go to SC for raw milk. The concerns are the size of the herd, the amount of grain, whether the grain is GMO, whether antibiotics or growth hormones are used. Similarly with pork and chicken and eggs. Optimal is organic grain only as supplemental and free-range, without antibiotic ANY time during their life. Other folks are concerned with cost, and grain finished is ok.

Currently, we only get 100% grass fed beef from Baucoms. We purchase local produce at the Matthews Farmer's Market. And I get Absolute Organics or organic produce from EarthFare and Harris Teeter. I only purchase organic, antibiotic free, growth hormone free pork and eggs. We have chickens locally for free-range eggs. But, I'd like more easy access to those. I can get them at the Waxhaw Farmer's Market for $4 a dozen. But, you see cost and access are critical.

Additionally, we get raw milk from Atkins Farm in SC. It is $6 a gallon.

What distribution method were you considering? There are folks down in the Rock Hill area on this group and access would be much easier for them.

I have my own backyard, organic garden. But, many folks don't. Although, we've recently had a presentation about small, raised bed, organic, family gardens. And many folks are going to give that a go.

We are all individual buyers, making individual decisions for our families, as we are spread from Concord to Huntersville, Mint Hill to Steele Creek. And some folks down near Rock Hill. There is also a Columbia, SC area group of moms on the Nourishing The Carolinas message board, who are passionate about organic, local produce and meat.

Has your interest been in farming without herbicides, pesticides, organic sources of grain, free-range, shelter-available, sunshine access animals? And organic produce?

The 'mass market' at the Farmer's Markets probably doesn't have as particular of concerns regarding some of these variables. :-)

Hope that helps!

Pat Robinson