Half pigs or quarter cows?

[Gremolata]

Has anyone on this board successfully purchased a (butchered) half pig or quarter cow from a high-end farmer in the region? I'm looking for either a heritage pig (e.g. Berkshire) or grass-fed cow, professionally butchered, that I can stash in a chest freezer through the cold months. If no one has any suggestions for me, I've looked on Heritage Foods, and identified their featured farmers in the Illinois and Missouri areas, and I'm planning on contacting them directly.

Thanks for your help, and I'll report back my findings.

[Deacon Volker]

Grem...you might consider a relatively short drive to the Champaign area and check out some of the links listed here; http://www.champaign-taste.blogspot.com/ specifically the "Triple-S Farm" link in the right of center column of listings. You'll find dozens upon dozens of quality producers in our area and it's only around 2 hours south of the "city".

[angiemail]

We are getting a quarter cow from Providence Farms (Michigan) this year. They also offer pigs, lambs and poultry. I can't offer a comprehensive report yet on the wholesale beef, but their "retail" offerings (sold at farmer's markets in the summer) were outstanding.

www.providencefarms.org

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Providence Farms
Saugatuck, Mi, Saugatuck, Mi

[Stuccolow]

Arnold's Farm will be at the Winter Farmer's Market this weekend

Chicago / West Loop Gate
Sat., Nov. 15 ~ 9am to 1pm
Epiphany Episcopal Church
201 S. Ashland Ave.
(corner of Ashland & Adams, just 2 blocks north of I-290)
Chicago, IL 60607

[meandmybelly]

You might want to try Arnold's Farm:

http://www.arnoldsfarm.com/

See the ordering info tab; he delivers to the Chicago area and Dubuque. Not sure if delivery is somewhat seasonal or not, we get ours directly from the farm. It's a great day trip from the Chicago area. I would call first and I wouldn't go for just a pound of ground beef, wonderful though it is.

It's a 100 plus year old family farm 10-15 miles east of Galena in beautiful Jo Daviess County. We have had quite a bit of their meat (pork, beef & chicken) and enjoyed it greatly.

Tom Arnold runs it; I think that he is at least fourth generation and a nice guy.

[Stuccolow]

Hi Belly, I was thinking of trying the 25# of beef. It sounds good and I have the room Have you purchased it and if so, was it good quality?

Thanks,
Monica

[meandmybelly]

Monica,

Yes, we have had beef from Arnold's farm. We never purchased such a large amount, however. We tend toward veggies with a little meat in our diet.

Munn a/k/a meandmy belly

[Stuccolow]

25# will last us quite some time. Which is one of the reasons I want to try it. Less running around to different markets. My fav butcher was just eatten up by a chain grocery.

Was the meat good quality?

Monica

[delk]

You may want to look here:
http://www.eatwild.com/products/illin...