Eating Healthier Starts With How Food Is Raised
Not all beef, chicken, or vegetables are created equal. What sets Green Heron Growers apart is our foundation of organic and regenerative farming, farming in a way that improves the land instead of wearing it out.
For years, Farmer Steve and The Green Heron Growers have focused on rebuilding and replenishing our soils. That work takes research, patience, and plenty of trial and error. Every season brings new challenges and new lessons.
Our pastures and hay/forage are both USDA Certified Organic and Real Organic Project (ROP) certified, meaning the foundation of our farm is held to the highest standards. Healthy soil grows healthy grass, which nourishes our cows, our chickens, our vegetables, and every crop we raise.
Why Organic Certifications Matter
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USDA Organic, certified through NOFA-NY
NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York) is New York State’s leading organic certifier. Their rigorous standards ensure that our pastures, crops, and animals meet strict federal guidelines for soil health, animal welfare, and prohibited inputs like synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or GMO feed. Being certified through NOFA-NY adds regional expertise and credibility to our USDA Organic label. -
Real Organic Project (ROP)
ROP goes further than federal standards, protecting the original spirit of organic agriculture. It guarantees:-
Soil-based growing (no hydroponics)
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Pasture-raised livestock
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Whole-farm transparency and integrity
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Together, these certifications give you confidence that the food coming from our farm is truly clean, and nutrient-rich. When you choose food raised this way, you’re not just changing what’s on your plate — you’re changing how your body feels.
Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished Beef: Regenerative Care in Action
Our cows eat the certified organic forage we grow right here on the farm. Using rotational grazing, we move them through pastures so the grass can recover and regrow, building stronger roots, healthier soil, and more nutrient-dense forage.
While our grass-fed beef isn’t labeled organic (because our butcher isn’t certified), everything we control — pasture, forage, and animal care — meets organic standards. The result is beef that is nutrient-dense, hormone-free, and raised with care. This is very different from industrially produced beef or beef that’s imported from overseas, which is often raised in confinement and finished on grain-based diets designed for speed and scale, not nutrition.
Pasture-Raised Chickens: Raised on certified organic pastures
Our organic chickens roam certified organic pastures, enjoying sunshine, fresh air, and plenty of space to forage naturally. They eat bugs, greens, and grains from the pasture, producing flavorful, nutrient-rich meat. Like our beef, they are raised with care, free from routine antibiotics, and tended according to the same organic and regenerative principles that guide our entire farm.
Vegetables: Soil Health in Every Bite
The same certified organic soil that feeds our pastures also grows our organic vegetables. Years of cover cropping, composting, and crop rotation have restored fertility, producing crops that are flavorful, nutritious, and grown with integrity. These certifications show you that what you’re eating truly comes from healthy soil and thoughtful farming practices.
Shiitake Mushrooms: From the woods to your table
Our shiitakes grow in our organic hemlock grove, cared for with the same attention and commitment to healthy soil and regenerative practices as the rest of the farm. They’re nutrient-rich, flavorful, and part of the diverse foods our farm produces. Each log is inoculated and cared for over months as the mycelium slowly colonizes the wood, eventually producing mushrooms in rhythm with the seasons.
Supporting Local, Supporting real farmers growing real food…
When you buy from Green Heron Growers, you’re supporting:
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Regenerative agriculture
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A resilient local food system
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A small family farm
Regenerative agriculture guides everything we do: rotational grazing, and rebuilding soil naturally. Healthy soil produces healthy grass. Healthy grass feeds healthy cows and chickens. Healthy cows and chickens produce nutrient-rich meat. Healthy soil grows nutrient-dense vegetables. Everything is connected. Our certifications — USDA Organic through NOFA-NY and Real Organic Project — prove it and you can taste the difference for yourself.
Every meal from Green Heron Growers is more than food — it’s a connection to the land, the animals, and the care that goes into every step of farming. By choosing our beef, chicken, vegetables, and mushrooms, you’re choosing clean, nutrient-dense food that supports regenerative farming and healthy soil. From our certified pastures to your plate, every bite is a step toward a healthier, more intentional way of eating — and we’re proud to share it with you.