How We Farm

We practice regenerative agriculture rooted in the pasture-based methods pioneered by Joel Salatin. It's farming the way nature intended — better for the animals, better for the land, and better for you.

Our Philosophy

At Gray Family Farm, we believe farming should work with nature, not against it. That's why we follow the regenerative, pasture-based methods made famous by Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm — a pioneer in sustainable agriculture who proved that small farms can be both profitable and ecologically responsible.

Regenerative agriculture goes beyond "sustainable." Instead of simply doing less harm, we aim to actively improve the land. Our animals are rotated through pastures in a way that builds soil health, increases biodiversity, and sequesters carbon. Each species plays a role in the system.

The result is healthier animals, richer soil, and food you can feel truly good about feeding your family.

"You are what you eat eats." — Michael Pollan

Choosing pasture-raised poultry and meats is one of the best things you can do for your body. When the animals eat well and live well, that quality passes directly to you.

Free-range chickens on lush green pasture at Gray Family Farm

Inspired by Joel Salatin

Roger and Shelley Gray at the APPPA conference with a Joel Salatin cardboard cutout

Roger and Shelley at the APPPA conference

Joel Salatin is a farmer, author, and speaker who has spent decades showing the world that there's a better way to raise food. His Polyface Farm in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley is a model for pasture-based, multi-species farming that regenerates the land while producing exceptional meat, eggs, and poultry.

His methods center on moving animals frequently across pasture, mimicking the natural grazing patterns of wild herds. Chickens follow cattle, scratching through manure to spread nutrients and control pests. Pigs root and aerate the soil. Every animal has a job, and the whole system thrives because of it.

We're proud to follow these same principles on our farm. Meeting Joel in person and learning directly from his work has been a highlight of our farming journey.

What This Looks Like on Our Farm

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Pastured Poultry

Our chickens and turkeys are raised on pasture where they can forage, scratch, and roam freely. They're moved regularly to fresh ground, which keeps them healthy and fertilizes the fields naturally.

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Rotational Grazing

Animals are rotated through different paddocks, giving each section of pasture time to rest and regrow. This builds soil fertility and breaks parasite cycles without chemicals.

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Multi-Species System

Chickens, turkeys, and pigs each play a different role on the farm. Together they create a balanced ecosystem that improves the land rather than depleting it.

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Soil Health First

Healthy soil is the foundation of everything. Our practices build topsoil, increase organic matter, and support the microorganisms that make the whole system work.

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No Chemicals

We don't use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Our animals are raised without antibiotics or hormones. The land takes care of the animals, and the animals take care of the land.

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Transparency

When you buy from us, you know exactly where your food comes from and how it was raised. We're always happy to answer questions about our practices.

Proud APPPA Members

We are proud members of the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA) — a nonprofit trade organization dedicated to advancing pasture-raised poultry production across the country.

APPPA's mission is to encourage the production, processing, marketing, and purchasing of poultry raised on pasture. They believe pastured poultry is the model for environmentally, emotionally, and economically sensible poultry production — supplying communities with humanely raised chicken, eggs, turkey, ducks, and more.

Being part of this community means we stay connected with the latest in pasture-based production, attend conferences and networking events, and hold ourselves to the standards shared by fellow pastured poultry producers nationwide.

Interested in Our Products?

Get in touch to learn more about what we offer or to join our CSA for weekly farm-fresh shares.

Call: (845) 534-0365 Contact Us Join Our CSA