Shaffer Farms must operate within the parameters of PCO, or Pennsylvania Certified Organic. Because of this, we work toward being entirely self-sufficient. Thank you for taking the time to learn about how the farm works.
VEGETABLE MANAGEMENT: Our produce is picked fresh for you each day. It is raised on our certified organic soil, with drip-line to supply water from the well when rain is scarce. The plants are grown from certified organic or non-treated seeds. We do not use any GMO seeds since we believe they are harmful both to our bodies and our land. Your produce is picked, washed, sorted and bagged the day that it is available for you to pick up.
LAND MANAGEMENT: We conduct regular soil tests and apply the minerals that are necessary to maintain proper balance and health within the soil. We also rotate crops to give the land a rest from having the same vegetation using the same nutrients year after year. The land is farmed in strips in accordance with the way the hills lay so that we do not have soil runoff.
CROP MANAGEMENT: We rotate the crops each year to ensure the health of the soil. The healthier soil works to nourish a healthier crop, which is more bug and disease resistant than less healthy crops. This makes it less necessary for us to use pesticides. Cattle are moved on a daily basis to new pastureland to confuse and deter the deer and other animals that may want to enjoy the crops before being harvested. Crops are stored and used to feed our animals.
ANIMAL MANAGEMENT: We grow all the feed that is given to our animals right here on the farm. Our beef cows are taken to new pastures on a daily basis so that they always have fresh grass to graze on throughout the warmer months and given farm-raised hay when the grass is unavailable. Unlike most cattle, our are only grass-fed, resulting in beautiful, lean meat. Beef is sold by the mixed quarter by the pound, hanging weight (not the same as the weight of actual meat you will have for your freezer).
Our pigs are well bedded, never rooting in their own filth, and receive plenty of fresh air and water. You can purchase either a whole or half pig, and pay by the pound, plus butchering costs.
The laying chicken are kept safe from predators during the night by being locked in their coup, but are let loose each day to forage for bugs. Their feed is ground fresh on a weekly basis. Our meat chicken spend their days in a hoop-house, open to the light and air on both ends and protected from the sun on the top and sides. The hoop-house is light enough to be drug to new grass each day for the chicken to enjoy.
VEGETABLE MANAGEMENT: Our produce is picked fresh for you each day. It is raised on our certified organic soil, with drip-line to supply water from the well when rain is scarce. The plants are grown from certified organic or non-treated seeds. We do not use any GMO seeds since we believe they are harmful both to our bodies and our land. Your produce is picked, washed, sorted and bagged the day that it is available for you to pick up.
LAND MANAGEMENT: We conduct regular soil tests and apply the minerals that are necessary to maintain proper balance and health within the soil. We also rotate crops to give the land a rest from having the same vegetation using the same nutrients year after year. The land is farmed in strips in accordance with the way the hills lay so that we do not have soil runoff.
CROP MANAGEMENT: We rotate the crops each year to ensure the health of the soil. The healthier soil works to nourish a healthier crop, which is more bug and disease resistant than less healthy crops. This makes it less necessary for us to use pesticides. Cattle are moved on a daily basis to new pastureland to confuse and deter the deer and other animals that may want to enjoy the crops before being harvested. Crops are stored and used to feed our animals.
ANIMAL MANAGEMENT: We grow all the feed that is given to our animals right here on the farm. Our beef cows are taken to new pastures on a daily basis so that they always have fresh grass to graze on throughout the warmer months and given farm-raised hay when the grass is unavailable. Unlike most cattle, our are only grass-fed, resulting in beautiful, lean meat. Beef is sold by the mixed quarter by the pound, hanging weight (not the same as the weight of actual meat you will have for your freezer).
Our pigs are well bedded, never rooting in their own filth, and receive plenty of fresh air and water. You can purchase either a whole or half pig, and pay by the pound, plus butchering costs.
The laying chicken are kept safe from predators during the night by being locked in their coup, but are let loose each day to forage for bugs. Their feed is ground fresh on a weekly basis. Our meat chicken spend their days in a hoop-house, open to the light and air on both ends and protected from the sun on the top and sides. The hoop-house is light enough to be drug to new grass each day for the chicken to enjoy.