Why organic? Enjoy food, enjoy life

Or maybe, the better question is “why not organic?”

At Eversfield Organic we believe that organic food means better food. Buying from farms like ours has universal benefits – and we don’t just mean for the universe (although it helps that, too.)

Better for The Planet

Okay, better for the universe might be a bit of a stretch. However, the benefits of buying organic, ethically produced food for the planet are invaluable. Food at our farm is always grown with a conscious effort to improve and preserve the natural environment. Working with nature, not against it, proves to be ever-rewarding as we continue our agroecological farming practices. Avoiding man-made fertilisers and utilising waste products as organic compost in our closed-loop regenerative farming model provides naturally nutritious soil to sustain crops and livestock. Using less energy than intensive, traditional farming, organic farming and supporting local farm shops can reduce food miles and ultimately CO2 emissions. Changing to sustainable agricultural methods, and buying from such farms, helps in the fight against climate change.

Better for The Soil

Treating our soil with a little TLC, nurturing it with organic compost, helps the farm to thrive. Healthy soil means the surrounding microenvironment can flourish as well as preserving the ground for generations to come. The earth (we mean the literal stuff that you walk on) is a non-renewable source of the planet’s natural capital. This means, once it’s gone, it’s gone. That’s why it’s so important for us to employ our closed loop sustainability system to better regenerative farming efforts, ensuring the soil is always naturally nutritious. As part of this scheme, we make certain that only organic fertilisers and no pesticides or insecticides are used. Organic farming adds to the natural humus (no chickpeas involved) of the soil, which acts as a glue, important for the health of all living things.

As we continue to improve the soil, we also use a rotational grazing system for our cattle. In this, livestock are moved to different areas of fields to allow the other sections to rest and recover. Rotational grazing has been proven to improve the quality of pasture by 30-70%, boosting soil fertility and organic matter. This goes hand in hand (or hoof in hoof) with our use of cover crops. These are crops planted purely to cover soil, rather than for harvesting. Again, this helps to manage soil erosion and fertility. Increasing soil fertility and organic matter not only helps other living things to flourish but is also seen as a sustainable method for our future. It can help to draw CO2 out of the atmosphere (carbon sequestration), an effective strategy to offset the rise in atmospheric CO2. Of course, we also grow organic fruit and vegetables in our Market Garden, which is also bettered by a fertile, nutritious soil.

Better for Wildlife

It’s surprising what looking after our soil can do for all kinds of wildlife, big and small. On average, plant, insect and bird life is 50% more abundant on organic farms and home to around 75% more wild bees. Of course, we’re all about preserving and protecting the bees, growing specific plants in our Market Garden to encourage them even more! We also can’t forget about our beautiful traditional Angus Aberdeen cattle, who live a much happier, healthier and more natural life thanks for the nutrients they receive from our delicious (at least to them) pasture. This in turn is passed on to you and your family when you choose to buy our organic ethical meat cuts.

Better for Animal Welfare

Looking after the rare, heritage breeds on our farm is at the heart of everything we do. Feeding animals on a natural pasture diet, free from growth hormones and grain designed to pack on weight, means our animals live a longer life by growing at a slower, more natural pace. We are so passionate about grass feeding simply because this is the way things are meant to be. Grazing animals have digestive systems specially designed to digest pasture, so feeding them cereals and soya, plus making them spend most of their life indoors, is bound to upset them. With our herd of Aberdeen Angus having lovely temperaments, being inquisitive and friendly (even the bulls!), it’s only natural that we want to treat them as best we can.

With this, freedom to express their normal behaviour by foraging and grazing outdoors, the animals are less likely to suffer from disease. Indoor living forces the requirement of veterinary visits and antibiotics. Under organic standards, we will never administer routine antibiotics. However, if any of our animals need medical attention, we will of course act accordingly to get them back up to full health. Animals treated with antibiotics will then see out an extended withdrawal period to make sure antibiotic resistance does not enter the food chain. Cattle also feel stress when changes are made to their natural routine, which affects their immune system and ability to fight off diseases. Vitamin E in grass can improve the immune response in livestock, as well as the local-specific nutrients in the pasture reducing the risk of our cattle getting sick from localised illnesses.

Better for You and Your Family

It makes sense that what you put in, is what you get out. The nutrients that our animals gain from eating a 100% pasture diet means those nutrients are passed on to you when you eat our delicious meat. The cuts from our animals, produced in our very own organic ethical butchery, have a gorgeous marbling effect, reducing the levels of saturated fats and boosting omega-3 fatty acids. Dairy products from grass-fed livestock also have more health benefits, such as high amounts of essential minerals and vitamins including calcium, magnesium and potassium. And let’s not forget, you’ll also be helping to better the environment by supporting regenerative organic farms.

Food You Can Trust

At Eversfield Organic we are proud of our Soil Association organic certification. Additionally, we offer Pasture Fed Livestock Association (PFLA) certified (those reared on our farm) and 100% grass-fed (those from surrounding farms) meat, making all our produce trustworthy. In addition, every cut of meat you buy from us can be traced back to the very animal it came from, excellently produced by our skilled ethical butchers. With this in place, the very highest standard of organic food is guaranteed.