Buying Guides
How to Find a Great Local Butcher Shop
What separates a great independent butcher from a grocery meat counter, what to ask, and how to find one near you.
Jun 15, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Guides
Deer Processing Guide: From Field to Freezer
How to choose a deer processor, what services cost, turnaround times, and how to get the best venison from your harvest.
Jun 15, 2026 · 1 min read
Buying Guides
How to Buy a Beef Share: A Step-by-Step Guide
A complete walkthrough of buying a quarter, half, or whole beef directly from a farm, from finding a rancher to filling your freezer.
Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read
Beef Share Farms
Fall Beef Share Buying Guide: When to Order and What to Expect
Fall is prime time for beef share purchases. Many farms process in October and November - here is how to plan and what to expect.
Apr 30, 2026 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
Organ Meats from the Butcher: A Beginner's Guide
Organ meats are among the most nutritious and often the most affordable items at a good butcher shop. Here is what to ask for and how to cook them.
Apr 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Beef Share Farms
Buying Beef Direct from a Farmer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Buying beef directly from a farm is simpler than most people think. Here is the complete process from finding a farm to picking up your order.
Apr 27, 2026 · 5 min read
Cooking
What Is Beef Tallow and How Do You Use It?
Beef tallow was the standard cooking fat in America before vegetable oils took over. Here is what it is, why it is making a comeback, and how to cook with it.
Apr 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
How to Find Local Pork Near You: A Buyer's Guide
Local, farm-raised pork is a fundamentally different product than grocery store pork. Here is how to find it.
Apr 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
What to Do After Buying Half a Cow: Freezer Setup and Meal Planning
You have committed to a half beef and it arrives in three weeks. Here is how to set up your freezer, organize the cuts, and plan meals to work through the order.
Apr 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Bison: Where to Buy It and How to Cook It
Bison is leaner than beef, rich in flavor, and available direct from ranches across the country. Here is how to buy it and cook it right.
Apr 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Pork Shares: How to Buy Half a Hog from a Farm
A pork share from a local farm gives you a full half hog of custom-cut meat. Here is exactly how the process works.
Apr 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Beef Share Farms
How to Find a Grass-Fed Beef Farm Near You
Grass-fed beef from a local farm is a different experience than anything in a grocery store. Here is a practical guide to finding a farm that will sell to you directly.
Apr 3, 2026 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
Meat Processing Terminology: A Complete Glossary
Hanging weight, USDA Choice, custom-exempt, fat-to-lean ratio - here is every term you will encounter when buying from a butcher or farm.
Mar 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Beef Share Farms
Freezer Beef: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Bulk Order
Buying beef in bulk for your freezer is one of the best food economics decisions a household can make. Here is everything to know before you order.
Mar 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Cooking
Meat Thermometer Guide: How to Cook Every Protein to the Right Temperature
A meat thermometer is the single most useful tool in any kitchen. Here are the internal temperatures that matter for every type of meat.
Mar 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Whole Hog Roasting: How to Source and Prepare a Whole Pig
Whole hog roasting is one of the great communal cooking traditions. Here is how to source a whole pig and what to know before you start.
Mar 5, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
How to Buy Lamb Direct from a Farm
Lamb bought direct from a small farm is a fundamentally different product than what you find at most grocery stores. Here is how the buying process works.
Feb 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Butcher Shops
How to Find a Butcher Shop That Dry Ages Beef
Dry aging requires dedicated equipment, time, and expertise. Not every butcher shop offers it. Here is how to find one near you that does.
Feb 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef: A Real Comparison
Grass-fed costs more. Is it worth it? Here is an honest breakdown of the differences in flavor, nutrition, and value between grass-fed and grain-fed beef.
Feb 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Livestock Auctions
Livestock Auctions: A Beginner's Guide to Attending and Buying
Livestock auctions are where farmers buy and sell cattle, hogs, sheep, and more. Here is what to expect if you attend one for the first time.
Feb 10, 2026 · 6 min read
Butcher Shops
How to Find a Local Butcher Shop in a Small Town
Small town butcher shops are often the best in the country - if you can find them. Here is how to track down great small-town meat.
Feb 6, 2026 · 4 min read
Meat CSA Subscriptions
What Is a Meat CSA and Is It Worth It?
Meat CSA subscriptions deliver farm-raised meat on a regular schedule. Here is how they work and whether one makes sense for your household.
Feb 1, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Butcher Shop vs. Grocery Store Meat Counter: What Is the Real Difference?
Most people have never bought from a real butcher shop. Here is what you are actually getting that you cannot get at a supermarket.
Jan 30, 2026 · 5 min read
Cooking
Best Cuts of Pork and How to Cook Them
Pork is one of the most versatile proteins in the kitchen. Here is a complete guide to the major cuts, what they are best for, and how to cook each one.
Jan 28, 2026 · 6 min read
Farm Stands
Farm Stands That Sell Meat: What to Expect and How to Find Them
A farm stand that sells its own raised meat is one of the most direct connections you can make between your plate and a specific farm. Here is what to look for.
Jan 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
How to Read a Cut Sheet for Beef
Filling out a cut sheet determines everything about what goes in your freezer. Here is how to read one and make smart choices.
Jan 26, 2026 · 6 min read
Mobile Slaughter
How Mobile Slaughter Works: A Guide for Farmers and Consumers
Mobile slaughter units come to the farm and process animals on-site. Here is how the process works and why it matters for small farms.
Jan 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
How to Find Local Beef in Your State
Buying beef from a local ranch or farm puts money directly into your community and gives you transparency about where your food comes from. Here is how to find it.
Jan 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
What Is a Beef Locker and How Does It Work?
Meat lockers are a staple of rural America. Here is what they are, how they differ from butcher shops, and what services they offer.
Jan 20, 2026 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
How to Find a Sheep or Lamb Processor Near You
Finding a processor who handles sheep and lamb takes more work than finding a deer processor. Here is how to locate one near you.
Jan 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Cooking
Beef Tallow: What It Is and Why It's Back
Beef tallow disappeared from most kitchens decades ago. Here is why it is making a comeback and how to use it.
Jan 16, 2026 · 5 min read
Cooking
How to Cook a Whole Brisket at Home
A whole packer brisket is the ultimate weekend cook project. Here is how to do it right whether you use a smoker, oven, or slow cooker.
Jan 12, 2026 · 7 min read
Buying Guides
How to Find Pasture-Raised Pork Near You
Pasture-raised pork is a different product than what you find at most grocery stores. Here is how to find it locally.
Jan 10, 2026 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
What Is Wagyu Beef and Is It Worth the Price?
Wagyu beef can cost many times more than regular beef. Here is what makes it different, when it is worth it, and when it is not.
Jan 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Butcher Box vs. Local Butcher: Which Is Right for You?
Subscription meat boxes promise convenience. A local butcher offers something different. Here is how to decide which fits your life.
Jan 5, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Heritage Breed Pigs: Why They Taste Better and Where to Find Them
Heritage breed pigs produce pork that tastes dramatically different from supermarket pork. Here is why - and how to find it near you.
Jan 2, 2026 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Dry Aged Beef: What It Is and Why It Costs More
Dry aged beef commands a serious price premium. Here is the science behind why it tastes so different and whether it is worth the cost.
Dec 28, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Hanging Weight vs. Finished Weight: What Is the Difference?
Hanging weight and finished weight are not the same thing - and the difference affects how much you actually pay per pound. Here is exactly how it works.
Dec 24, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
How to Find a Farm Stand Near You
Farm stands sell produce, meat, eggs, and farm products direct to you. Here is how to find a great one near you and what to expect.
Dec 16, 2025 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
What to Look for in a Good Butcher Shop
Not all butcher shops are equal. Here are the signs that tell you whether you are dealing with a real butcher or just a glorified deli counter.
Dec 14, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Farm-to-Table Meat: How to Buy Direct from Farmers
Buying meat direct from a farmer is the most transparent option. Here is how farm-direct meat purchasing actually works and where to find it.
Dec 12, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Mobile Slaughter Units: What They Are and When to Use One
Mobile slaughter units bring the processor to the farm, reducing animal stress and transportation costs. Here is how they work and whether they are right for your situation.
Dec 10, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Custom Butchering: How It Works and What to Ask For
Custom butchering lets you specify exactly how you want your beef, pork, or lamb cut and packaged. Here is how the process works and what options to ask for.
Dec 8, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
What Is a Livestock Auction and Can Anyone Attend?
Livestock auctions are where cattle, hogs, and sheep change hands in America. Here is how they work, who attends, and whether you can buy there as a private person.
Dec 6, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
How to Store Half a Cow Worth of Beef
Once your half cow is packaged, storage is everything. Here is what freezer you need, how to organize it, and how long your beef will keep.
Dec 4, 2025 · 4 min read
Buying Guides
How to Find Grass-Fed Beef Near You
Finding truly grass-fed, pasture-raised beef locally takes a little work. Here is exactly how to find it and what questions to ask.
Dec 1, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Buying a Quarter Cow: Everything You Need to Know
A quarter cow is the entry point for buying beef direct from a farm. Here is how much you get, what it costs, and how to find one.
Nov 28, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Beef Share vs. Grocery Store: The Real Cost Comparison
Is a beef share actually cheaper than buying beef at the grocery store? We ran the numbers so you can decide for yourself.
Nov 25, 2025 · 6 min read
Buying Guides
How to Buy a Whole Hog from a Farm
Buying a whole hog direct from a farm is one of the best ways to fill your freezer with pork at a great price. Here is everything you need to know.
Nov 20, 2025 · 6 min read
Buying Guides
How to Find a Good Local Butcher Shop Near You
A great butcher shop is worth finding. Here is what separates a real butcher from a grocery store meat counter and how to find one near you.
Nov 18, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
What Is a Meat CSA and How Does It Work?
A meat CSA is like a farm subscription for beef, pork, and poultry. Here is how they work, what to expect, and how to find one near you.
Nov 15, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
Best Cuts to Buy from a Local Butcher (That You Cannot Get at the Grocery Store)
A great local butcher has cuts you will never find in a grocery store meat case. Here are the ones worth asking for and why they are worth it.
Nov 12, 2025 · 6 min read
Wild Game
How to Find a Deer Processor Near You
After a successful hunt, finding the right processor makes all the difference. Here is how to choose a deer processor and what to expect during drop-off.
Nov 8, 2025 · 5 min read
Buying Guides
What Is a Beef Share and Is It Worth It?
A beef share lets you buy directly from a farm in bulk - quarter, half, or whole cow. We break down exactly what you get and whether it makes financial sense.
Nov 5, 2025 · 6 min read
Buying Guides
How to Buy a Half Cow: A Complete Guide
Buying a half cow direct from a farm can cut your beef costs by 30-50%. Here is exactly how it works, what you get, and what to expect.
Nov 1, 2025 · 8 min read