Are We Organic?
In the past, we've boldly renounced the term "organic" when referring to our beef. But, we'd like to switch our narrative.
First, what does the term "organic" mean?
The "organic" label is outlined and upheld by the USDA. In order to qualify for this label, you are required to meet specific standards. We've listed every point of criteria below.
Animal Feed
"Cattle must consume 100% organic, non-GMO feed and forage with NO animal byproducts (minerals and supplements do NOT need to follow these guidelines)"
- We never feed animal byproducts or GMO feed, but we do have pastures that are not certified organic. We'll use light-duty pesticides and herbicides sparingly, but only as we see fit. In fact, the products we may use are so light-duty that we have beehives on our land so they can pollinate on our pastures!
"MUST receive a minimum of 30% of their daily dry matter intake (DMI) from grazing on "organic" pasture (ONLY applies during grazing season)
- As you may know, our cattle are pastured nearly their entire lives, and then we finish feed them on crops we grow ourselves here on the farm. This question is a tricky one, because we do meet this requirement, except for cattle we finish feed in the summer. The crops we grow are non-GMO, however, sometimes we see the need to use light-duty pesticides and herbicides to protect our harvest and lands.
Treatments/ Medications
"NEVER treated with antibiotics, added growth hormones, or synthetic parasiticides."
- We will never deny treatment to a sick animal. Do we use added growth hormones? Never. Our rancher, Reyes, refuses to even synchronize our female's cycles in order to make calving easier on himself. He's firm on the ideals of our calves growing naturally and cycling with their bodies on their own! As far as parasiticides go, we do use them seasonally. In fact, you might be familiar with the product we use; ivermectin. Concerning antibiotics, if an animal is in our care and needs them, we won't hesitate to administer the proper medication!
"If the animal must be vaccinated, the vaccine must NOT include any GMOs, and cannot be used for routine general vaccination, but is on an individual needs basis. (The use of vaccines is NOT prohibited in "organic" practices)"
"Pain medication and dewormers ARE allowed"
Living Conditions & Quality of Life
"MUST have access to the outdoors, shelter, exercise area, and fresh air year-round (can be temporarily confined for safety reasons, ie. poor health or environmental risks)"
"Managed "organically" from the last third of gestation"
- The fact that we use light-duty pesticides and herbicides as we see fit on our finish-feed crops makes us ineligible for this.
"Raised per animal health and wellness standards. *If "organic" approved methods and treatments fail, the animal MUST be given appropriate treatment and care. However, that animal is now ineligible for organic labeling."
Final Notes to Readers ---
The overarching theme as to why we don't qualify for "organic" labeling are our land management and preservation methods. To us, preserving and protecting our vulnerable rangelands and pastures is the most important way we could pay homage to not only the farmers and ranchers that came before us, but also our small community. Our surrounding areas have been greatly affected by fires, but also invasive species that suffocate, and eventually take over a land that was once filled with native flora and fauna.
We will always do what is best for the individual animal, you; the consumer, and the land we so graciously call home. We will NOT compromise the health and wellness or quality of life of any one animal to bind ourselves to the "organic" label. Individual animal health, land management, and recourse conservation will ALWAYS be more valuable than any flashy organic labeling or extra income we could make off of the "organic" standards set by the USDA.
We may never don that signature green and white seal on our packaging, but please know it's for all the right reasons.
- Nevaeh McCreary, April 3, 2026