Here are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. If you would like more information or have a question not listed here, let us know!
ARE you certified organic?
No, we are not certified organic. Organic certification is an expensive process: for our animals, organic animal feeds or supplements are difficult to find and extremely expensive. It would also require organic seeds, which can be twice as expensive as non-organic seeds.
While we understand the value of an organic system, organic certification would raise our costs significantly and force us to raise our prices. One of our key values at Morning Glory Farm is accessibility, meaning our products are affordable. We believe everyone has a right to affordable, accessible, nutritious fresh foods. Raising prices to cover the cost of organic certification and other costs would make our food less affordable and accessible.
Organic certification also does not dictate how animals are raised, only the feed that they consume. It does not guarantee animals are treated humanely throughout their life or have access to outdoor space. We are dedicated to ensuring our animals are treated humanely throughout their entire life.
What does 'pasture raised' and 'free range' mean?
According to the USDA, 'free range' simply means that animals have access to the outdoors. It does not define how often, how much space, or what constitutes "outdoors". "Pasture raised" does not have a legal definition. At Morning Glory Farm, our animals spend their entire lives with free access to outdoor pastures 365 days a year to roam. Our chickens are put up only at night to protect from predators, and our pigs, sheep, and cattle have access to a barn in case of poor weather. While we do supplement with feed, our animals are free to graze, scratch, and forage.
Why are your eggs different colors?
Our eggs are can be brown, white, spotted, or blue-green because we have a wide variety of breeds that lay different color eggs. The color of an eggshell doesn't determine how healthy or 'natural' the egg is - it just is dependent on the breed of chicken that laid it.
IS your meat hormone and antibiotic free?
Our meat is always free of any added hormones or unnecessary antibiotics. However, in case of animal illness, we give antibiotics based on the recommendation of our local large animal veterinarian.
Are your fruits and vegetables sprayed witH CHemicals?
We do not use conventional herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides on our fruits and vegetables. To control garden pests, we use organic neem oil, which is derived from the bark, leaves, and fruit of the neem tree.