Soil Health is something that should be taken seriously. All parts of the food chain must be healthy for the final product to be dense in nutrients. The soil must have the proper nutrient balance to nourish a healthy plant...which will feed the animal...which will feed us.

Over the years, conventional farming methods have stripped the soil of nutrients, hence the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Healthy plants (from healthy soils) naturally resist pests and disease without the use of such chemicals. Pest and disease problems are an indicator of an unhealthy plant...which indicates unhealthy soil. Meadow Haven Farm orders periodic soil testing and continually takes steps to re-mineralize the soil to its most nutrient-dense state.

Did you know that animals can be given old bakery goods (such as donuts) and still certify organic? As long as the donuts are organic, the meat can be certified organic? Ruminates, such as beef and dairy cows, sheep and goats were created to eat fibrous grasses and plants. When forced to eat a high-grain diet, as on a feed-lot, they can be afflicted with various disorders.

Interestingly enough, the dangerous E-coli outbreaks and development of the mutant e-coli bacterium can be traced back to grain-fed cattle. A ruminate who eats only grasses and plants is able to resist the E-coli bacteria because the acidity in their digestive system provides an unlivable environment for the E-coli bacteria. When grain is introduced to the diet, the digestive acidity changes and becomes more habitable to the unwanted E-coli bacteria.