Finding and Buying Organic Meat from Young Farmers

In this day and age, we hear so much about "organic" food products, but what does organic really mean? Is organic food products really worth the exorbitant amount that is on the price tag, or is it possible to find a less expensive version?

"Organic" in the use of food products usually means without hormones, pesticides or antibiotics. In a commercial setting this can be a difficult task for a farmer, and so the high-price tag is validated. There is another way to obtain hormone-free, antibiotic-free meat without the price tag, and you may even be able to "write-it-off" on your taxes. The meat, however, may not be certified, you will have to operate on trust.

Many communities support youth clubs such as, 4-H, Young Farmers or Future Farmers of America (FFA). All of these clubs encourage children in various forms of Agriculture, mostly through animal projects. Many of the animals that are being grown by these young Americans are raised hormone and antibiotic free, but since they are only raising one or two animals at a time, they can not obtain organic certification; a long, expensive and arduous process. 

There are many types of animal projects that eventually provide food stock. Beef, Pork and Lambs are the main animals which will result in meat products. Once the animal has reached the end of it's showing season these animals are either placed on an auction block, or sold privately.

Purchasing an animal for food from a young ag student can benefit you, as well as the student, in many ways. First of all, you will purchase the animal by weight, usually measured as 'on the hoof'. You will pay a lesser amount this way, even though it will seem like a lot. A whole calf would last the average family about two years, so you may want to consider sharing the cost with a friend or family member.