The Farm
We, Josiah and Nettie and our little farmers Edmund, Aaron, and Marco, are the stewards of Sparrow Hill Farm. Sparrow Hill Farm is just outside Monroe WI, and is comprised of a motley collection of different pieces of land leased by us as well as custom partnerships where we manage livestock that is jointly raised by a fellow farmer. Our farming methods are unconventional but our mission is simple, "Embrace Life".
This means we put the soil and the environment first in our farming practices by avoiding industry standard subtherapeutic antibiotics, synthetic worming medicines, and continuous overgrazing of the land. These conventional farming methods kill soil life and structure leading to erosion, destruction of fertility, and the release of excess carbon into the atmosphere.
The land we steward is often degraded or not useful for industrial farming anymore. We are working hard to bring life back into the soil and environment with careful regenerative management of our livestock. We rotationally graze our cattle, sheep, and pigs. When we put the soil health and environment first, it leads to happy, healthy animals and a superior product both in flavor and nutrition on your plate.
We know as a conscious consumer who is tired of the industrial food machine, you may have more questions as well as insight into how we can do better. If you do have any questions about any of the process of how our meat gets to your plate, insight into how we can do it better, or want to come visit for yourself please reach out to support@sparrowhillfarm.net. Nettie or I will answer you. The boys would rather just type emojis. 😀
Our Story
We are a small family farm that started taking shape publicly only a few years ago. The farm is currently ran by myself, Josiah, my wife Nettie and our three little boys, Edmund, Aaron, and Marco.
Our passion for regenerative holistic farming began when Nettie became pregnant with our first child. Nutrition had already become very important to us with Nettie's interest in maternal and childcare and myself working as an RN in the emergency room. We had some first-hand experience working in industrial farming complexes and had seen personally what goes on behind the scenes in commercial meat production.
We were troubled and more than a little worried with the large nutrition and mineral deficits that continue to get more prevalent with the destructive nature of conventional farming and the synthetic chemicals and antibiotics that are measurably present in supermarket food. We became more and more convinced that we were willing to work harder and pay more to feed our family right.
As we were raising some of our own food the idea of Sparrow Hill Farm started taking shape. We started thinking how cool it would be if we could actively work to champion for health and a better environment while making some of the delicious food that we were producing available to others. In the spring of 2018, we set up our first stand at the Dane County Farmers Market selling pastured pork and were elated to see that there was a significant interest in what we were offering.
Since then, we have added 100% grass-fed lamb and this year will add 100% grass-fed beef. It has been an exciting journey as the mistakes we make and learning moments that we are faced with are offset by excited and happy returning customers and friends who are continually encouraging us to keep on. Knowing we are doing what's right for the environment and working for a sustainable future for our kids and farming has been the primary drive for what is making all this hard work worth it.
