Why Supporting Local Farmers Matters Most in the Winter Months.
Winter on a small, diversified farm is beautiful in its own quiet way — the pastures go still, the animals fluff up their winter coats, and the farm takes on a kind of peaceful rhythm. But beneath that calm surface, winter is also the most resource-intensive season we face all year.
Once the grass goes dormant and the last bit of green disappears, we enter the season of feeding hay. For farms that rely on rotational or regenerative grazing, this is a big shift. Our entire warm-weather strategy revolves around moving animals across fresh pasture — but in winter, there is simply no pasture to move them to. The plants and soil need this time to rest and recover.
That’s where hay comes in.
Hay Is Winter Pasture
It may look like “just dried grass,” but high-quality hay is the backbone of winter nutrition. It provides:
• Sustained energy
• Essential minerals
• Adequate calories for warmth
• A safe, clean feed source when forage isn’t available
Right now, hay is running about $65 per bale, and we feed one bale every single day.
That’s $455/week or nearly $2,000 each month — just in hay.
And that’s before we even factor in:
• bedding to keep animals warm
• extra minerals
• winter water systems to prevent freezing
• increased labor (winter chores take longer!)
• maintaining equipment in cold weather
• additional fencing checks after storms
Small farms don’t pause in winter — but the costs increase dramatically, and the product output naturally slows way down.
Why Your Support Matters So Much This Time of Year
When you support a local farm in the winter, you’re doing more than buying food. You are helping ensure that small-scale farmers can continue:
• feeding their animals well
• stewarding land through the dormant season
• raising healthy, nutrient-rich meat for spring and summer
• maintaining diversity in our local food systems
• keeping real, regenerative farming alive in your community
Most customers don’t see the winter side of farming, but it’s the season that makes small farms either sustainable… or not. Every purchase — whether it’s a few dozen eggs or a pack of ground beef — helps us bridge the gap between seasons.
Thank you for supporting our family and this farm.
And thank you for caring about where your food comes from — especially during the season when it matters the most.
