About the Farm

Located in Northern Durham, Grass Grazed Farm is the 60 acre farmstead of Derrick and Paige Jackson. We raise pastured livestock based on principles of sustainable agriculture on our farm and on additional leased acreage nearby. We believe in being good stewards of our land while providing our customers (and ourselves) with healthy, wholesome, delicious meat. We started the farm in 2019 when Derrick was looking for a career change from the U.S Army. We started with chickens haven't looked back since. We had no idea what we were getting into but have loved every minute of the journey.

Pasture-Raised Pigs

Our pigs remain on pasture their entire lives in the company of other pigs of similar size. They are free to roam and root in our large paddocks and are provided shelter to use if needed to escape inclement weather. Our sows also farrow on pasture in huts designed to provide shelter from the elements for piglets and supplemental heat is provided, if needed. Sows stay where they are meant to be, in contact with the soil, which also benefits the piglets. As day-old piglets start to root the soil, they are taking in needed iron and microorganisms to support their digestive health and build immunity.

In contrast, standard commercial farrowing consists of large indoor farrow barns with plastic slat flooring or concrete.The sows are penned in so they cannot even turn around. Once the piglets are born, they have a slightly larger area to move around in while still accessing the confined sow to nurse. Iron injections have to be given in the first few days or the piglets will fail to thrive.

Grassfed Cattle

Once a weaned 6-8 month old calf arrives on our farm, it goes directly on grassy pasture where it will remain. Cattle are rotated to fresh grass as needed as they consume the biomass. We aim to raise our cattle to meet or exceed American Grassfed Association standards. The benefits of grassfed beef are becoming better known: improved flavor, a fat profile rich in beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids, no added hormones or growth promoters, and no sub-therapeutic antibiotics given.

In contrast, typical production of beef in the US includes the use of artificial growth promoters (hormones) and finishing the last 60-90 days, predominantly on corn, in Confined Area Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The corn diet disrupts the bovine rumen and compromises their immunity. Their immunity is further stressed by the packed conditions of the CAFOs thus requiring the use of antibiotics to prevent the animals from becoming sick by the inhumane conditions.

Pastured Raised Eggs 

pastured eggs

We offer pasture-raised eggs straight from our family farm. Our hens are raised in a natural and humane environment, with plenty of access to fresh grass, bugs, and sunlight.

Our commitment to providing high-quality, nutritious eggs means that we never use hormones or antibiotics on our hens. Instead, we let nature do its work, allowing our hens to thrive in a stress-free environment that prioritizes their well-being.

Our pasture-raised eggs are not only better for our hens, but they are also better for you. With higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, our eggs are a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.

Pastured Poultry 

Pastured poultry started our journey on the farm, we have not looked back since. We order day-old chicks and raise them in a brooder for  three weeks. Once their feathers have developed they live pasture for the duration of their lifespan. While on pasture they are moved daily and have plenty of space to peck and roam. We process between 8-9 weeks. We raise Cornish Cross and Red Rangers. 

Environmental Sustainability

All our livestock rotates from pasture to pasture daily. Rotation allows the livestock fertility to spread, thus minimizing additional fertilization needs and allowing for vegetation recovery. Our goal is never to have bare dirt under our animals’ feet. For pigs, this means having a pasture reconditioning protocol in place as pigs are tough on the land. After a group of pigs has eaten the vegetation, rooted, and otherwise trampled down a paddock, they move to a new area. The paddock is then tilled and graded to level it off and then reseeded with annual forages. The type of forage planted depends on the time of year and the particular needs of the pasture (fertility, soil organic matter, etc.), and its planned future use. Each paddock is occupied less than 50% of the time. Keeping and cycling nutrients on-farm helps minimize the need for outside inputs like chemical fertilizers.
In addition, we do not broadcast herbicides to protect the river system, our animals, and the quality of the meat we produce. Additional sustainability measures include reusing and repurposing materials, often sourced from defunct farms and other enterprises where they burn or ship to a landfill. In addition, we harvest rainwater from the barn roof for distribution to livestock to minimize groundwater extraction from the on-site well. We maintain natural wooded areas, beneficial plants, and brush piles for genuine cover to support bird and wildlife populations.

The Farmers Table

There are some things that cannot be captured online. We host farm to table experience each month during our open season.