Our Difference

A Closed Loop farming system is influenced by biodynamic principles in which the farm ecosystem can rely on the soil,

plants, animals and earthly influences for health, productivity, for holism.

Nothing needs to be brought in, and there is no “waste” to remove.

Our farm was certified Organic by the Oregon Department of Agriculture until 2023. When we stopped selling our veggies wholesale and began to focus on meats, we let the certification go but continue to manage as we always have, with all organic practices. The certification is not usable for us now when selling meat because our butchers do not offer certified Organic processing. We continue to go above and beyond the certification requirements,
read on to learn how.

WE SAVE SEED YEAR TO YEAR TO REPLANT

Some of the grains we grow with organic and regenerative practices are harvested as feed for the pigs and the chickens, and some are saved for replanting the next season. In this way, we are growing regionally/climate adapted seeds that are resilient to drought, weather and climatic extremes, and resilient to pest pressure.

NO SYNTHETIC INPUTS

We do not use any synthetic fertilizers, only manure and cover crops for fertility. 

NO PESTICIDES OR HERBICIDES

For 15 years Farmer Chris has raised food without the use of herbicides or pesticides.

WE ROTATE OUR CROPS AND OUR ANIMALS 

We rotate our crops and our animals prescriptively, with care and forethought.

Highly diverse cover crops are planted in the fall after our summer harvests. They grow all winter and maximize the winter precipitation. Cattle then graze the cover crops, followed by the chickens in the summer. The pigs are also rotationally grazed on different sections of pasture through the growing season. The manure and ammonia rich urine fertilize the soils, adding beneficial fungal and bacterial life to the soil which feeds the microbes.

The grazing stimulates a growth response in the roots of the plants which creates more organic matter in the soil.

The symbiotic nutrient cycle of plants and animals create vitality and health in the soils which no synthetic fertilizer could compare to. 

NO GMOs, NO CORN, NO CANOLA

The grain mix we grow and then feed to our hogs is comprised of a blend of peas, wheat, triticale, barley, alfalfa, rye. This creates a superior pork product.

WE FARROW OUR OWN SOWS

Keeping sows and farrowing our own piglets takes a LOT of effort and it makes our farm's pork unique. By raising our mothers and piglets from birth, we can ensure humane conditions for these animals for their whole life.

GRASS FED & FINISHED BEEF

Beef that is finished in a feedlot can often be labeled Grass Fed, so if you care, you want to clarify if they are also grass-finished.

Some have had bad experience with grassfed beef if it is not done properly.

Our beef has a very nice fat to lean ratio because we grow a special grain hay mix

that our cattle are fed that is a hay that is higher in carbs, alongside the more protein rich orchard grass and alfalfa hays in the winter and spring.

Once you try our beef, you will know what a great grass-finished beef should taste like.

OPEN FARM POLICY

We welcome visits (please email to schedule!) if you'd like to see where your food is raised. Keep in mind the growing season May-September is generally crazy,

but we welcome scheduled visits. You can reach us at customerservice@casadfamilyfarms.com

Additionally, we love to connect over production practices with people who care.