Where to Buy Beef Raised On Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land

Meet three ranching families who are saving grassland birds.

 

Dear KAREN, Sustainable food is good business for birds. For the first time, consumers can contribute to grassland bird conservation by purchasing beef that has been raised on Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land.  The Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) initiative partners with ranchers to enhance bird habitat with grazing management to reverse the drastic loss of grassland birds. These rangelands are managed to benefit birds, plant diversity, and soil health. Learn more in our new video, "Hooves on the Ground, Wings in the Sky." During the holidays, consider supporting the three incredible ranching families featured below. They provide food for our plates and habitat for California's birds.  Sincerely, Pelayo Alvarez, PhD California Director Conservation Ranching Initiative

American Kestral. Photo: Fi Rust/Audubon Photography Awards

Markegard Family Grass-Fed The Markegard's manage grazing to simulate the large herds of elk and antelope which once roamed California's rangelands. They practice regenerative grazing with continual herd movement that stimulates plant growth and grassland health. Doniga Markegard's work expands beyond ranching into policy advocacy as part of her dedication to regenerating lands and communities. The Markegard's offer online ordering including gift cards with pickup and delivery at select locations. They serve customers throughout the Bay Area with locally raised grass-fed/grass-finished beef, lamb, and pasture-raised pork and chicken. Purchase

Morris Grassfed The Morris family grazes cattle using low-stress handling techniques on several public and private parcels where strategic grazing rotation promotes perennial grass establishment. They focus their habitat management on building soils for water holding capacity and diversifying vegetation for wildlife habitat. Joe Morris has guided over a thousand people to share his ethics on ranching, stockmanship, and land stewardship.  Morris Grassfed provides grassfed beef through direct online sales with delivery or pick-up locations from San Francisco Bay to Monterey. Purchase

Stemple Creek Ranch The Poncia family reached out to Audubon to find out how to become a bird-friendly rancher, long before this program made its way to California. Loren Poncia has helped to redefine small-scale family ranching with the development of the first carbon farm plan in the U.S. The Poncia's focus their management on carbon sequestration, rotational grazing practices, forage production, and wildlife habitat. Stemple Creek grassfed beef and other products are available at numerous restaurants and retailers as well as online orders and delivery. Purchase

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