The sunlight is shining through my office window this morning, warming everything it touches. The first rays just peeked over the Eastern ridge of Joy Valley and the whole valley is bathed in soft, rosy light. Out in the pastures, the cattle are already grazing, heads down, their glossy black and brown coats soaking up the sun’s warmth.

Yes, there’s snow, and plenty of it. It’s been cold. After all, it’s winter in Michigan. It’s what we expect. Last night, the air was clear…very clear… you could see stars, stars…oh yeah, and more stars. 

That same clear sky is what makes it so darn cold the next morning. All the heat drifts away during the night.

​So, here we are…morning on the ranch!

The fall season in Michigan offers much to enjoy: crisp weather, brilliant colors, festive gatherings and hearty seasonal foods. 

Well, it’s over. Welcome winter. Merry Christmas!

If geeky, soil and grass talk is not your thing, that's cool. Instead, put a 100% grass fed beef roast in the crock-pot, head to your sofa, read a good book or look out your window, count your blessings and enjoy a super holiday season with friends and family.

Back to my geek-talk.

​Fall is an important time on the ranch. When the grazing season draws to a close, we make careful decisions to prepare the land and livestock for winter. 

BUSTED !!!

That headline was partly to grab your attention.
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​But it’s true, I don’t buy meat at a farmer’s market… unless I personally know the person or team selling it.

I’ve had mixed experiences buying meat at farmer’s markets. It’s not that I’ve ever had anything spoiled or rancid, but I’ve bought meat that just didn’t taste good or was too tough. 

Once, a “gentleman” I knew told me NOT to buy his chicken. In his words, “it’s not good.” 

What? That’s crazy! It’s not for people you know, but you’ll sell it to strangers?  Obviously, his ethics are questionable.

This is one of the most challenging things we do at The North Coast Ranch. Animal welfare is important to all of us.

​Butchering season is here and it’s always bittersweet:

Bitter because our animals make the ultimate sacrifice for each of our families' health and well-being.

Sweet because our freezers are nearly empty, and we still have mouths to feed.

It can be difficult thinking about taking an animal's life for food. There’s a small lump in my throat when they get loaded in the trailer heading to the butcher. However, I believe the animals are here to help nourish us, and their meat helps provide what our bodies need.

Many customers have struggled with the ethical dilemma of eating meat. They know their health suffers without it, but the idea of killing an animal is sometimes hard to reconcile.

2-MINUTE READ

Grass-fed beef is a popular choice if you’re seeking a more natural and sustainable option for your meat consumption. Unlike grain-fed cattle, grass-fed cattle are raised on a diet of grass and forage, resulting in beef that is reported to offer higher nutritional value and supports environmentally friendly farming practices.

While I am not passionate about backyard grilling, I do enjoy it...and I bet you do too. As we are nearing the end of the traditional “grilling season” in Northern climates, there’s no need to stop grilling just because football season has started, the kids are back in school, etc. In fact, temps have cooled slightly…and the days and nights are 100% perfection.

Who would have thought that ground beef, meatloaf, roasts and steaks could taste this amazing?

Creating great-tasting beef requires more than just grass.

Picture this: a bright morning on the ranch, a bit cooler, low 50’s…some steam coming off the pond and some fog hanging over a few low spots in the pastures. The air is crisp and the grass is a vibrant green. It's the perfect playground for a group of young calves who are discovering their world.

Life's just too darn short for mediocre meat! 

Have you ever stopped to really think about what's lurking in those grocery store aisles?  

​Tasteless cuts pumped full of who-knows-what, from cows that live a miserable existence. It's a grim picture and it's not doing us, our planet or those poor cows any favors. 

Why settle for that mystery meat? 

Unloading hay the easy way.

A short 46 second video.

Happy Independence Day!

Sending warm wishes your way for this special day.

Have any exciting plans lined up?

On the ranch, we’re planning on a few visits with friends and family, some fireworks and hoping for normal weather conditions and as always…everyone staying safe and injury free.

In the vast landscape of American cuisine, there's an intriguing phenomenon that often raises eyebrows.

The apparent preference for processed, frozen and packaged foods over fresh, farm-to-table alternatives.

It's easy to dismiss this as a mere consequence of a fast-paced lifestyle, but it goes deeper than that.

Let’s explore a little.