Eco-Photo

While visiting my sister in Ft. Worth, Texas I decided to see if I could visit some local organic farms.  I was having trouble finding organic vegetables farms near Ft. Worth when my pal Kim Brown Schetter suggested I look into grass-fed cattle farms.  In my internet research Burgundy Pasture Beef stuck out from the crowd. I called them up and they gave a warm welcome for me to visit their farm.  With Sis in tow, we went down to Grandview, TX and met with Jon Taggart, Co-Owner of the ranch with his wife, Wendy.  Jon has 1400 acres of land for his 400 cattle, which can eat grass for most of the year because of the southern climate. During the coldest part of the year they eat organic alfalfa grass.  Jon’s 25 years of farming experience taught me a lot about the efficiencies and health benefits of grass-fed cattle. All his grass is organic; the cows eat the grass, fertilize it, stamp the seed into the ground for the next crop and then are moved to a new location. These were very happy and stress-free cows.

Here is a photo of Jon throwing some kind of wasp larva onto the cow patties, which is just one of Jon’s organic farm practicies. The wasp larva feed on the fly eggs that grow on the cow patties.  Apparently flies are a big hassle for cattle (see how little I know!).  Jon also recommended I read The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan. Coincidentally on the way down to Texas I read an article Mr. Pollan had recently written to the next President-Elect for the NYTimes. I highly recommend it.