Grazin' Angus Acres

Grazin' Angus Acres is a single-source farm in Ghent, New York. The sustainable 2,000-acre farm specializes in grassfed beef and dairy, as well as pastured chicken, eggs and pork.

History

Dan Gibson, previously a senior vice president of global affairs at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, bought the dairy farm in Ghent and kept the past farm managers, Jim and Ilene Stark, as partners. After being inspired by books including The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser and Real Food by Nina Planck, and a pair of friends with an autistic child, Gibson decided to raise grassfed beef.

Production

Gibson works with his wife Susan, son Keith and daughter-in-law Nicole, son-in-law Andrew Chippinelli and partners, Jim and Ilene Stark, to raise and look after 250 cows and 400 Laying hens. They utilize wind power for a large amount of their electical consumption during production. The farm promotes itself on the absence of antibiotics, hormones and grains from their processes. Grazin' Angus Acres is Animal Welfare Approved, which indicates that they raise their animals "humanely, outdoors on pasture or range."

Beef and Dairy

The team raises 100% grassfed and finished Black Angus cattle for Beef and Jersey cattle for dairy. The cattle graze on 450 acres of land, which is fertilized by chicken droppings naturally abundant with nitrogen. The Black Angus cattle live for two and a half to three years before being sent to the Eagle Bridge slaughterhouse, where they are killed and hung for 21 days. The Jersey cattle provide organic milk and cream with the highest healthy butterfat content.

Chicken and Eggs

The pastured chickens are used as a source for pest control, fertilizer and eggs. Their eggs are sold during spring, when the chickens are able to graze outside.

Where to find their products

Since Grazin' Angus Acres does not want to use additional petroleum-based fuels to ship around the country, their products are found in and around New York. They sell at farmers' markets:

  • Saturdays at the Union Square Greenmarket
  • Sundays at the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket in Brooklyn, NY
  • Sundays at the 79th Street Greenmarket in New York City, NY

They also provide to restaurants Grazin' in Hudson, NY, Local 111 in Filament, NY and a few other restaurants in New York City. The farm offers tours by appointment as well.

Grazin' Diner

The Grazin' Diner is Grazin' Angus Acres' sister restaurant in Hudson, NY. The '50s styled diner is a direct farm-to-table restaurant run by Gibson's daughter and son-in-law. It is open Thursday through Monday for lunch and dinner, and serve brunch on weekends.

History

The original diner was opened by William Kulikowski in 1935, and moved to the corner of 9H and Route 66 in 1946.

Grazin' is the first Animal Welfare Approved restaurant in the United States, using "local, seasonal, and organic ingredients" sourced from farms within a usual 11 mile radius. The diner serves old-fashioned fountain soda, burgers, french fries and various other items depending on the season.

Recognition

The farm has been acknowledged by the program, Animal Welfare Approved, for its humane treatment of animals. It also provided the meat for Chelsea Clinton's wedding reception in 2010.