More and more of what Americans eat comes
from enormous agribusinesses that prioritize profits over compassion
and health, but there are still companies committed
to being respectful to the environment and training
the next generation of farmers while providing nutritious
food. In no particular order, here are some
places that produce good things to eat using
sustainable methods.
At # 1 we start things off with
the biodynamic and regenerative organic Apricot Lane Farms
in Moorpark California, an hour's drive north of
Los Angeles, which has operated since 2011 with
a philosophy that all things are connected An
emphasis is placed on soil health biodiversity, and
nutritious crops. The farmers point out how one
species assists another for instance, the cows fertilize
the pastures, while birds consume plant-destroying insects.
Apricot Lane produces over 200 different fruits vegetables,
and animals, including pigs, Speckled Sussex chickens, Campbell
ducks figs, Shishito peppers avocados, at least nine
varieties of cherry tomatoes, and Satsuma plums. The
operation was also the subject of a theatrically-released
2019 documentary.
Coming in at # 2 is Topsy Farms,
situated in the northwest corner of Amherst Island
in Ontario Canada. The company sells both online
and on-site at a shop called the Wool
Shed. Topsy Farms also offers various seasonal activities,
including scavenger hunts, kayaking tours of Lake Ontario,
and workshops that teach people how to use
indigo dye.
In addition to agricultural tourism that seeks to
help visitors connect to the land, Topsy Farms
produces wares which include aran fingering, and worsted
weight yarns sheepskins, alpaca wool throws and other
blankets, and bedding-related items like pillows duvets, and
mattress toppers, as well as insoles mittens, and
moccasins Meanwhile, foodstuffs that are sold include yearling,
young mutton lamb kidneys liver, and raw honey.
Our # 3 selection is Vital Farms, a
company that sells pasture-raised eggs butter, and ghee
The organization emphasizes its commitment to the humane
treatment of animals, sustainable growing practices, and what
it calls conscious capitalism Hens get at least
108 square feet of vegetation-rich land to wander, with lots
of opportunities to forage edible grasses succulents, and
wildflowers.
One initiative that Vital Farms offers its customers
is traceability, which allows consumers to see where
a given carton of eggs originates. Every box
comes from one of 200 family farms in
an area of the United States the company
labels the Pasture Belt for its climate that
allows for foraging year-round. The curious can even
visit these suppliers online via the Virtual Passport.
At # 4 is the Glynwood Center for
Regional Food and Farming, a nonprofit that serves
the farming sector in New York's Hudson Valley.
The group promotes regenerative agriculture and the idea
that food production drives economic prosperity and helps
bring people together The organization also creates reports
about the industry, such as Pastured Protein Ecological,
Humane and Healthy Meat from the Hudson Valley,
which argues for the region's natural suitability for
livestock cultivation.
In addition, the Glynwood Center helps train the
next generation. The group offers various apprenticeships, manages
workshops like Regional Cooking for Health, and operates
the Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator. The organization
also practices what it preaches by engaging in
regenerative agriculture, which emphasizes bolstering the soil and
maintaining the ecosystem.
Next up, at # 5 is Sankow's Beaver
Brook Farm in Old Lyme Connecticut, which produces
milk cheese yogurt, and gelato from Frisland and
Romney sheep and Jersey Cows. Beaver Brook also
sells various meats, often in prepared foods such
as pesto and lamb curry stew, as well
as poultry items like chicken turnovers.
The farm also has a shop that offers
hand-spun wool garments like vests mittens, and moisture-wicking
socks, linens like blankets, and gear such as
what the store calls hobo bags for toting
around small objects. Beaver Brook also offers skeins
and cones of wool yarn for those who
wish to build their own creations.
Coming in at # 6 is Bluebird Grain
Farms, which is located in the Methow Valley
in Washington. This small company sows harvests, and
sun-cures organic ancient grains, some of which are
milled to order to make flour. Before sale,
the harvest is stored in wooden silos to
maintain freshness.
The company grows hearty plants like emmer and
einkorn farro rye, and two kinds of spring
wheat, plus cover crops to aid sustainability. Bluebird's
other wares include sourdough starter and yeast, which
can be combined with its flour to make
homemade bread. The farm's shop also sells honey,
fruit syrups, sea salt tea, and some apparel.