FAQ

How do you define the common buzz words used to describe animal management?

Pastured- Soil beneath their feet and open skies above their heads. This environment provides plants to forage on and fresh air to breathe.

Free-range- Room outside to run and play. Yes, they do play.

Grassfed and Finished- No grain or grain by-product. Ever! 100% forage and hay.

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Is Schacht Farm Certified Organic?

While the way we care for our animals exceeds standards set for organic certification, we are not certified. We use mineral supplements and apple cider vinegar that are certified organic. The grain we feed our poultry and hogs is non-GMO, but is not certified organic. 

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What breeds of animals are raised on the farm and why were they chosen?

Our focus is on raising happy animals that produce the most amount of meat (or eggs) on the least amount of grain possible. Our hogs are heritage breeds, mostly Tamworths, known for their foraging ability. Our hens are Golden Comets, a small hybrid breed that forage well in our pasture based model while producing the greatest number of eggs on the least amount of grain possible. Our meat chickens are Cornish Cross, a conventional cross that we care for in a way that allows them to grow slowly on pasture while producing a plump chicken with little grain. 

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How are the animals killed?

As this is an important issue for us, you can find detailed information here.

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Nutritionally, how is pasture-raised meat better than conventionally raised meat?

Pasture-raised meat and eggs are healthful! For a basic primer visit here, or for a more lengthy answer visit here.

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How many acres is Schacht Farm?

Schacht Farm began on 57 acres just south of Bloomington, but has grown to include several other owned and leased properties, all in Monroe County. 

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How many people work on Schacht Farm?

Several. The farm represents the work of many friends and family members. These kind souls do everything from unloading tons (literally!) of pork into the walk-in to wrangling broilers for processing, almost always with smiles on their faces.

 

Do you allow visitors?

Our farm is closed to the public with the exception of scheduled Open Farm Days. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to be informed of scheduled dates. 

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Do you offer on-farm sales?

 No, we make our products available through various farmers' markets and through our CSA. 

 

How can I stretch my food budget when purchasing your products?

As folks who had to shift our priorities in order to farm, we can relate to those who have to alter their spending habits to stick to their convictions about eating humanely raised food produced in their community by folks they know. Some suggestions on getting more bang for your buck with our products: Purchase whole chickens. After using the chicken in various dishes throughout the week you can make stock out of the carcass for some amazing soups. Our ground beef and beef roasts are less expensive than steaks. Our ground pork products and shoulder roasts are less expensive than chops and tenderloin and are full of flavor. Consider purchasing in bulk or bundles for greater cost savings.