How to Find Your Local Farms

Small, local farms are everywhere. But they rarely have an advertising budget. You don't see commercials on tv for them and you don't see ads for them in your local newspaper. They are farmers, not graphics designers, so they often don't have great websites. Luckily, there are lots of young farmers that are doing great things with social media. You have to find them. Here's how you can find your local farms.

• I found my favorite farm (I am a farm volunteer with them), Cardo's Farm Project, on the website of my local health food store (The Cupboard). I was on The Cupboard's website, and they had a list of suppliers where they get their food. I went to each farm's website to find out more information. Luckily, Cardo's was looking for volunteers then & I was able to sign up. So ask your local health food store for a list of suppliers and check their website to see if they post a list. Many of these stores focus on transparency and are proud of their food, so they are more than happy to share the info with you!
• Also check the labels at your health food store. I went to The Cupboard one day with a pen and a piece of paper. I checked all the labels on the meat in the meat freezer and jotted down the info. Local, grass-fed, & free range ranches with chickens, cows, and other meat animals proudly put their information on their products. So look at the labels of meat and check out the ranches and farms online. That's how I found my first source of grass-fed meats, Slanker's. Slanker's ships their products using dry ice. I still buy their buffalo from The Cupboard, but I don't mass order from them and have it shipped anymore because I found a local farm I purchase from (Homestead Farms). So Slanker's is a great option if you can't find anything close to you or prefer to order online.
• Go to your farmer's markets! Talk to the farmers. Many farms have farm stands you can purchase directly from. Earthwise Gardens is a local farm that has a great farm store. Cardo's is moving to a new location and they will also have a great store. 

You will find that once you get involved with the farming community, you will find more and more sources for great local food! As a volunteer with Cardo's, I interact with lots of other farms and get new information from them regularly.

Here are some great websites to help you get started (these are all external links):

• Local Harvest Type in your zip code and farms and dairies in your area pop up! It's a great list.
• Eat Wild List of grass-fed meats and dairies. They break it up by state. Even if they aren't in your immediate area, still check out their website. Maybe they ship (like Slanker's does and I used to order from them). Or maybe they are close enough for you to drive to every few months and stock up. That's what I do. Our farm (Homestead) that we buy meat from is about 45 minutes away. We go once every 3 or 4 months and buy a freezer full of meat. It's all frozen.
• Real Milk Extensive list of dairies. 

Here are links to my local farms that I shop at (I am in Denton, TX).

• Cardo's Farm Project: website, facebook
• Earthwise Gardens: website, facebook
• Homestead Farms: website, facebook
• Denton Community Market: website, facebook