frequently asked questions.
Humans have been practicing agriculture for more than 10,000 years. Many of the farming practices used in varying forms of agriculture have had a significant impact on the sustainability of food systems, food security, animal wellbeing, environmental health, and human health. By taking the necessary steps and transitioning to more regenerative farming methods, agriculture could go from being considered one of the leading causes of health and environmental issues, to a solution for these problems.
1
what's the difference between pasture raised and free range birds?
All of our birds (including chickens, ducks, and turkeys) are pasture raised. The main difference between pasture-raised and free-range eggs is the minimum outdoor space provided to the hens. For pasture-raised eggs, each hen gets a minimum of 108 square feet of pasture for themselves. Whereas with free-range eggs, the hens only receive a minimum of 2 square feet of pasture for themselves. That’s a big difference in space! All of our birds are locked into coops at night for their protection from predators.
2
what is regenerative agriculture?
In a nutshell, regenerative agriculture practices increase soil biodiversity and organic matter, leading to more resilient soils that can better withstand climate change impacts like flooding and drought. Healthy soils lead to stronger yields and nutrient-rich crops, without the need for synthetic fertilizers and/or pesticides. Healthy soils further promote the growth and health of the animals that graze on those plants and grasses, while restoring important carbon-capturing grasslands in the process.
3
why bison?
Bison are hardy and integrate well into native rangeland restoration. They tolerate hot summers and harsh Colorado winters well. Bison are nature’s perfect fit for a regenerative approach to holistic land management, which can be attributed to the bison’s evolution on the North American continent and its natural grazing behavior. The National Bison Association says it best. Here's an excerpt from their website: The bison, North America’s largest land mammal, once roamed the continent freely, helping sustain plains and prairie ecosystems as a keystone species through grazing, fertilization, trampling and other natural behavior. Bison shaped the vegetation and landscape as they fed on and dispersed the seeds of grasses, sedges, and forbs. Several bird species adapted to or co-evolved with the types of grasses and vegetation structures that had been, for millennia, grazed by millions of free-ranging bison. This natural behavior is today mimicked by bison stewards, and other livestock producers, seeking to regenerate their soil in part by utilizing the bison’s instincts, which remain intact as bison were never domesticated.
4
what's up with all the goats?
We started with two goats back in 2019 just for fun. We had a small acreage in Loveland and wanted to "get our feet wet" with hobby farming. After that, we were addicted! We now breed our goats, sell the kids, and use their milk to make homemade organic goat milk soap! One of our favorite things is watching the "kids" do karate kicks in the air. We all sing "everybody was kung fu fighting" as they do it.
need fresh eggs, soap or spices?
Locals can stop by our self-serve box at the Homestead. It's stocked daily with fresh eggs, soap, and other products like ground dried pepper spices that are homegrown. If you're not local, you can visit our SHOP page and order products online to be shipped to you.