anyone else order meat directly from farmers?

[mattkime]

This is the first year that I have freezer space that might match my appetite. We're a family of four (two little ones) and cook frequently. I'm going to get two lambs, half a pig, and a quarter of a cow. I wish I could go for half a cow but I'm not sure it makes sense for multiple reasons.

The experience of contacting a farmer is interesting. Customer outreach isn't their highest priority. It usually takes a couple of phone calls and a little bit of back and forth.

I'm going to have to come up with a cut list for each animal. I have a general idea of what i want. From the lamb - roasts, otherwise a balance of stew, ground, and bratwurst. I guess I'm less certain about cow and pig choices but I don't think there are any bad options. I think the main thing I haven't managed to fit into our cooking repertoire is cooking with ground sausage.

Anyone else do this?

[ka jowct]

You might want to check that whoever is actually hacking up the animals is following the legal requirements. My dad spent years investigating shady slaughter operations for the WI Dept. of Agriculture. Pussy (full of pus) carcasses sold for human consumption, etc.

[Speedy]

Cheaper to buy what you want when on sale at the supermarket.

[NewtonMP2100]

....that's what she said....!!!

[anonymouse1]

I visit the farm.

[btfc]

An organic farmer met a Mennonite poultry raiser at a farmers' market and started buying cases of his chickens. Infinitely better than supermarket chicken.


Edit - Should read "An organic farmer friend of mine"

[mattkime]

btfc wrote:
An organic farmer met a Mennonite poultry raiser at a farmers' market and started buying cases of his chickens. Infinitely better than supermarket chicken.

Yeah, we roast 2-3 chickens a month. I need to find a local source of poultry. Would 100% buy from the Mennonite.

[rz]

My in-laws rent out a house on a farm they own, and the tenant pays part of their rent by giving them basically an entire cow every year.

[Ombligo]

A couple of years ago my school's FFA had a program where they would raise a steer or hog for you. You paid for the animal and its feed, they did all the work for the experience. Then you paid to have it butchered. You could have the whole animal or split it with others. As I recall, it came out to around $5-$6 a pound. The teacher left and the new teacher dropped the program.

[Markintosh]

What you're really looking for is a CSA share program in your area. They exist for both produce and meat in my area.

(CSA is Community Supported Agriculture)

Here's the link to search for programs in your area: localharvest.org