Where's the Beef... From?
Part 2: Locally Raised Beef-- Part of the Solution

By Laurine Brown, PhD, MPH

"My beef is like cocaine. Once you try it, you can't go back to store-bought."
-- Rob Foster, Washington, IL

Nearly a century ago, revered conservationist Aldo Leopold wrote that there are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is thinking that heat comes from a furnace. The other is supposing breakfast comes from the grocery. Though some of us garden, only a handful of Americans today farm. Most of us are clueless about the origins of our food. While paying an industrial system to grow our food frees us to pursue other interests, this disconnect has many downsides. For example, we learned in Part 1 of "Where's the Beef… From?" how our detachment has allowed industrial beef-raising to stray from health-promoting to even dangerous.

But in addition, deep inside we sense something important is missing when we forage in man-made supermarkets amidst foods with concealed origins. A bond with the land and cycles of life that sustain us, perhaps-- a forgotten wholeness.

Happily, there is a quiet revolution happening all over the world, and right here in this community of central Illinois. Though many of us aren't willing to trade our Microsoft mouse for a pitchfork, we're walking backward in time, asking local farmers to grow our food. With regard to beef, "I don't have the answer for New York City", says Edinburg farmer Paul Gebhart whose organic meat even graces plates in the prestigious Berkeley Chez Panisse Restaurant. "But I do right here in Illinois. Family farms." Yes, putting an honest face back on the farmer brings a sense of security amidst terrorist threats. But more than that, it connects us to the land, and to the people of this land. And that missing piece of nourishment is just what many of us need.

Word-of-mouth is the best way to learn where to buy local sources of beef (and other meats). The following list is not comprehensive, but is a good start. Ask around. If you see small herds of cattle pastured near your home, investigate. Maybe the family will sell what they don't eat to the public. Visit the farm, observe and ask questions.

• Are the animals clean (or are they required to stand in their own waste)? If they're kept inside, as in the winter months, do they have access to a lot of fresh bedding? Are chemical bug sprays used?
• Does it smell bad? (If so, the animals may be overcrowded, increasing the chance of disease and poor sanitation).
• Do the cattle have access to green pastures? How are the pastures maintained (are they sprayed with weedkillers or synthetic fertilizers?)? What else are the animals fed? (Few local farms solely grass-feed cattle. If you're looking for the nutritional benefits of exclusively grass-fed beef be specific in your questions). Is the grain "certified organic"? Where does it come from?
• Are the animals routinely given subtherapeutic antibiotics (these can be in "feed mixes")? Are they given growth hormones? If an animal becomes sick, how are they treated?
• How and where are they slaughtered and processed? Is the slaughterhouse certified by the state or federal government (ensures a certain level of cleanliness)?

  For those not able to venture out to a local farm or locker, check out Kroger supermarkets for Laura's Lean Beef, which is hormone and antibiotic free beef from family farms around the country. Pay attention to cooking directions (or ask farmers for advice). Cooking times may be much less than conventional supermarket beef, reflecting the different nutritional composition.

  1 0 0 % GRASSFED (no supplemental grain, no antibiotics* or growth hormones)
  Moore Produce and More Jim & Diann Moore & family 2013 N. County Rd 1950E Watseka, IL 60970 815/432-6238	100% grassfed mostly Angus beef on pastures free of synthetic pesticides & fertilizers. No antibiotics or hormones. Available in single cuts from June-Sept. 100% grassfed lamb also available in single cuts. Other animals pastured with supplemental local grains: Tamworth & Hereford pork (by cut) chickens (whole or cut up), turkeys. Sold at Champaign/Urbana farmers market, or pick up at farm located 75miles NE of Bloomington/Normal (B/N).
  Sonrise Farms Daniel and Diane Hesterberg 1384 E County Rd 3000N, Penfield, IL 61862 217/595-5603	100% grassfed Australian Murray Grey beef on pastures free of synthetic pesticides & fertilizers. No antibiotics or hormones. Sold in quarters or halves during fall season. Also barn-raised pork and pastured chickens & turkeys (with non-GMO grain raised on farm). Call to be placed on mailing list for spring newsletter, which includes order form. Pick up at farm in fall, located NW of Champaign/Urbana, near Rantoul.
  ORGANIC (grass + organic grain fed, no antibiotics/hormones)
  Stone Organic Pastures Tim Stone Fisher, IL email: trstone@gmail.com 217/897/6085	Certified Organic RAW cow milk and goat milk (exceeds Grade A standards), 100% grassfed animals. Also have chickens and turkeys that are allowed to roam anywhere in pasture. Brown eggs from organic fed chickens are also available. All animals are certified organic and fed USDA 100% certified organic feed and in optimal conditions. Possible shipping to the 50 states. Call for details.
  Organic Pastures Larry and Marilyn Wettstein 669 County Rd 1800E, Eureka, IL 61530 309/467-6006 email: orgpas@mtco.com	Certified organic, antibiotic and hormone free Angus-cross beef available year round in single or larger cuts. Raised on pastures free of synthetic chemicals, supplemented with OCIA certified organic non-GMO grains (corn, roasted soy, wheat, oats, rye, alfalfa, and flax) grown on farm. Also pork, chicken and seasonal turkey. Sold through member-based CSA or individually with pick-up Tues evenings in B/N or by appointment. Call for details.
  Dennis & Emily Wettstein 2100 US 150 Carlock, IL 61725 309/376-7291	Certified organic, antibiotic and hormone free beef in single cuts, quarters or halves. Raised on pastures free of synthetic chemicals, supplemented with OCIA certified organic non-GMO grains grown on farm (corn with cobs, oats) soy meal, hay, diatomaceous earth, minerals and kelp. Also raise pork, chickens, eggs, lamb (seasonal). Operating for 16 years. Pick up from farm or local lockers. Call for details.
  Timber Hills Bob Adams 1776 County Rd 850 E Metamora, IL 61548 309/367-4650	Organic, antibiotic and hormone free beef available year round in quarters or halves from this timber-protected 70 year old organic farm located 50 miles NW of B/N. Raised on pastures free of synthetic chemicals, supplemented with organic grains, corn, oats, barley, hay grown on farm, and kelp/minerals. Also raises lamb (seasonal), pork, and eggs. Pick up from West locker in Washington which processes Bob's meat before others to prevent contamination.
  NATURAL (grass + conventional grain fed, no antibiotics/hormones)
  Diamond Grove Cattle Charlie and Kathy Sheetz 18281E, 700N Bloomington, IL 61704 309/378-4492	Pastured lean Limousin beef with no antibiotics or hormones sold in quarters and halves, generally available spring through fall. Supplemented with local cracked corn raised for human consumption, Vita Ferm mineral and local alfalfa hay. Sold at the B/N farmers market or pick up at farm.
  Merlin Kaeb 333568 E 750N Arrowsmith, IL 61722 309/727-1172	Beef with no antibiotics or hormones pastured on farm 17 mi E of B/N. Transitioned gradually to grains grown on farm when older (corn stock, sileage, & ground; oats), hay and protein supplement with no animal by-products. Sold in whole, quarters or halves from July-Oct. Also hormone and antibiotic free pork. Pick up from local lockers (call for details)
  Hilltop Haven Farm Billy and Donna Watkins 21756E 2450N Rd Lexington IL 61753 309/365-5611 email:dwatkins11@mindspring.com	Pastured beef with no antibiotics or hormones sold in quarters or halves (or by package). Diet supplemented with hay, corn, soy, molasses and lime. Also raises Red Wattle pork and lamb. Pick up from farm, operating over 20 years.
  Wilson's All Natural Beef Norman and Madonna Wilson RR 1 Box 87 Gridley, IL 61744 309/747-2687	Beef with no antibiotics or hormones available in quarter- or half- cuts from August-December. Pasture raised, supplemented with local grains (organic oats, non GMO corn) & all-natural protein. Farming 20 years. Pork also available. Pick up from farm.
  John Wiegand 1654 County Rd 1300N Roanoke, IL 61561 309/923-7210	Beef with no antibiotics or hormones available year round in quarters or halves (or front or high quarter) from John who has been raising livestock 18 years. Cows finished with local (whole cob) corn, hay and supplemental greens with no by-products. Custom cuts available with pickup of frozen meat at Eureka Locker (or Chenoa).
  Rob Foster 404 Hilldale Washington, IL 61571 309/444-9712	Pasture-raised Angus and Simmentel beef using rotational grazing on fields sprayed with commercial fertilizer but no pesticides. No sub-therapeutic antibiotics. NOTE: Uses single hormone implant at mid-growth point but not continuous in feeds. Supplemented with non-GMO corn. Sold by halves. Reserve ahead & pick up at Eureka locker or will deliver for a fee.
  Thistlebrae Farm Dean & Becky Adams 640 Kleeman Dr Clinton, IL 61727 217/935-2044 email: thistle@a5.com	Small herd of hearty Scottish Highland beef, pasture-raised with local grains (corn, oats, roasted soybeans) and hay in winter. No antibiotics or hormones. Sold by quarters or halves (or mixed). Also raises large flock of pastured broiler chickens, and hearty Tamworth pork, duck and free-range poultry eggs. Sold at Clinton farmers market, or pick up from farm.
  Joy-of-Illinois Farm Les and Penny Gioja 1689 CR 400E (RR 3) Champaign, IL 61822 217/863-2758	Hormone and antibiotic free veal (available in fall) sold by whole animal. Pasture-raised while nursing, and sometimes supplemented with milk replacer or goat's milk. Pick up from farm or from locker (e.g. Oakland). Also raise lamb (seasonal) and geese.
  Whispering Pines Natural Beef Armin Hesterberg 2296 County Rd, 3000N (US136) Gifford, IL 61847 217/568-7288 Website: www.whisperingpinesbeef.com	Ultra lean pasture-raised Belgian Blue beef using no hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products. Supplemented with corn grown on farm and hay. Sold in retail cuts, or quarters at Whispering Pines Shop in Gifford (317/369-5976) and in C/Urbana at Strawberry Fields, Natural Gourmet, and Kirby Ave County Market.
  LAURA's Lean Beef Available in Illinois in Kroger, Dominick's and Highlander stores 1-800-ITS-LEAN Website: www.laurasleanbeef.com	Hormone and antibiotic free cattle raised on family farms around the country. Prefers lean, heavy muscled cattle like Limousin, Charolais, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Piedmontese and Belgian Blue. Cattle pastured with added grains and supplements. See website for allowable feeds, and more information.

  NOTE: "No antibiotics" specifically refers to no low dose "subtherapeutic" antibiotic administration. If an animal becomes sick and requires a short-term therapeutic dose of antibiotics, often the farmer will remove that animal from local sale. Ask to be certain.

   

November 2002

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