Local Farm has a Heart for Cattle

Buying beef from a local farm rather than the grocery store has countless benefits, from the nutritional value to the flavor. Just ask Beth and Jeff Kittle of Wholesome Family Farm, who’ve dedicated their operation to raising pasture-raised, grass-fed and finished cattle whose health and happiness are paramount!

The family’s been involved with beef since around 1998, and buying Wholesome Family Farm in 2019 was the culmination of years of purchasing local meat, finishing steers, the kids raising yearlings for 4H and learning about genetics to breed better animals. When they bought the business, the owners sold Jersey beef and raw milk, and the Kittles transitioned the herd from grain to grass-fed and finished Angus. They still host a pick-up site for raw milk from Heritage Family Farms, who took over the original herd share. These days, Beth and her trusty farmhand Daniel are the primary farm workers, with her son and husband assisting when available and her daughters helping with deliveries.

Exemplary care for the animals is a cornerstone of the business at Wholesome Family Farm. The cows graze in rotating pastures all year long. Winter is the only time they’re brought inside; they still have access to forage but can enjoy roomy barns with fresh air and soft bedding. Every animal is treated with love and respect. “All our cows have names, even the ones for butcher. They’re all friendly and will come right up to you for scratches,” says Beth.

One big difference between Wholesome and most local cattle farms is that the animals never leave the farm, not even for processing. To avoid the stress of being transported to a USDA facility, the family hires a specialty butcher to visit the farm and harvest the meat on-site. “Another way we show our respect for the animals is to utilize every part, including the organs and bones,” she adds. “We’re grateful for what they’re doing for us.”

Dry-aged for 14 days at their custom butcher in Hillsboro, beef is sold in shares, and the farm offers everything from a whole share down to one-sixteenth. It’s a proportionate allotment of the animal, and the larger the purchase, the less the customer pays per pound of hanging weight. Costs to the consumer include the cut and wrap fees at the butcher, which vary based on cutting instructions. Visit Wholesome’s website for close cost estimates and to put a deposit on a share. The total balance is due when the beef is at the butcher. Beef shares are processed by hand and include a variety of delicious cuts like brisket, prime rib roast, T-bones, filet mignon and much more!

Beth has traveled and received extensive education in animal genetics, allowing her to develop a careful breeding program that produces naturally well-marbled beef ready for harvest at 18 to 23 months of age. The farm breeds for factors like taste and tenderness, and its loyal following can attest to the superior flavor of its beef. It boasts a deep red hue, around 90 to 93% lean and a rich taste that can best be described as ‘extremely beefy.’ “It’s delicious and doesn’t need extra seasonings; just a little salt and pepper,” Beth says. “Our customers are always complimenting the quality of our meat.”

The Kittles are not just cattle ranchers; they’re very much farmers because they protect the pastures. Year-round grazing requires a combination of pasture rotation, restoration of soil health and protection of pollinators. They also preserve the creek that runs through their property, and Oregon lamprey eels have returned to swim alongside the cattle. Pastures are never sprayed, and the family spends hundreds of hours hand-picking noxious weeds. “Being good stewards of our land to provide this service for people is our most important job,” Beth says.

The Kittles host visitors for tours of the farm by appointment. “I encourage people to come out and meet the animals,” she says. “It’s important to know where your food comes from.” Frozen shares can be picked up directly from the butcher when ready, or Wholesome delivers from Vancouver to Eugene.

Wholesome Family Farm is located at 15204 S.W. Muddy Valley Rd. in McMinnville. Please give them a call at 503-332-7792 or visit their website at wholesomefamilyfarm.com.