‘Round the Farm
Hay Season is upon us. Fortunate for 3 cuttings this year so can’t complain.
Couldn’t get by without this contraption. Greg Judy Bale Unroller. A farm favorite!
I’m a bit late in getting hay off the pastures, but excited to have hay sitting in the pastures!
The cattle get pretty excited too!
I use Reddit sporadically; mostly farming, entrepreneurship, and regenerative farming forums. Recently, I came across an article in the New York Times regarding biosolids.
Biosolids are a kind of fertilizer made from treated sewage sludge. Reading the article, I was left questioning a great number of ways that biosolids affect how we farm and, therefore, the food which we eat and the land on which it’s farmed.
Initially, I thought biosolids were a good alternative for synthetic fertilizers. This whole idea of taking waste and then turning it into something usable. Sounded like a good deal.
We know synthetic fertilizers are energy-intensive, and that they end up in our streams and rivers. But the more articles I come across discussing biosolids, the more I’ve started rethinking that position.
What’s concerning about biosolids is that they carry harmful chemicals. An example is PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These are chemicals used in synthetics, non-stick cookware, waterproof wear, firefighting foam, and more.
The chemicals have come to be known as “forever chemicals” because they never fully break down in the environment or inside the body. Research has linked them to serious health concerns, including cancer and liver damage.
While PFAS are in many everyday products, biosolids can introduce them directly into the soil, where they may stay for years. This means they can contaminate food and water supplies, posing risks to both farmers and consumers.
For us at Longbottom Farm, that’s a risk we’re not willing to take.
We’ve Always Said No to Biosolids
Let me be blunt: We have never used biosolids in our farm, nor would we ever want to.
We use the most organic type of fertilizer there is: manure from our own animals. From chickens to pigs to cattle, even to our horses-many animals here on the property contribute to fertilizing our land. We take it, let time do its thing, and then spread it around our fields with the trusty old manure spreader.
This process keeps our pastures healthy and chemical-free. It also ensures that we know precisely what is going into the soil-and thus, the food we raise.
Why Manure Is the Gold Standard
Manure from our animals is what we use to fertilize as it carries none of the risks of biosolids. Here’s why it works so well:
- No Hidden Chemicals: Manure does not contain PFAS and other industrial contaminants like its biosolid counterpart does. Biosolids are made from sewage sludge. Yes, it is made of sewage and everybody gets that part. But biosolids also contain many other chemicals that people and companies put down drains, sinks, and toilets.
- Safe When Handled Properly: Composting and aging manure naturally reduces pathogens without the need for heavy processing. It’s also straight from the animal without disposed of chemicals you’d find in sewage treatment plants.
- Sustainability in practice: We use our own animal manure, and we complete the circle as that very soil grows the grass that feeds our animals.
We Grow Our Own Hay-Naturally
Growing our own hay right here on the farm has to be one of the many things that we are most proud of. The hay that goes to feed our cattle, horses, and other animals is grown from fields that are fertilized exclusively with manure from those same animals.
That means no biosolids and no synthetic fertilizers, period. All the nutrients on our pastures are self-supplied through the manure we collect, compost, and spread ourselves. In this perfectly closed-loop system, hay that our animals eat-and therefore the food we raise for you-can be as clean and chemical-free as it gets.
By growing our own hay we know exactly what’s in it, and can stand behind its quality. It’s just one more way we make certain that our practices live up to our commitment to natural farming.
And yes, historically we’ve had to buy hay. Luckily we’ve found farms such as Buffalo Creek Ranch that also do not use biosolids for their hay.
A Note on Farmers Using Biosolids
We are not here to villainize the farmers using biosolids. In fact, most farmers are just doing what they can in a hard industry. With increasing costs and pressures to produce more food, many farmers are passing on what government agencies and local officials are telling them is safe.
That said, it is always worth taking a closer look. You need no more than walk down the aisles of your local supermarket, and you will see dyes, additives, and a whole variety of chemicals out there in processed foods that we know cause health problems, yet come with no warnings.
Here at Longbottom Farm, we like to question and interrogate what’s going into our foods so we can do the best possible for our family and customers, as well as our land.
Why It Matters for Your Food
When you buy from Longbottom Farm, you are buying more than pastured meats and eggs: you get the added security of knowing we did all we could to produce your food in a responsible and natural way.
We avoid chemicals and other additives that are not needed, taking every measure possible from the manner in which we fertilize our pastures to the care of our animals.
Consciously, we take into consideration your family’s needs by providing safe, clean, quality food.
We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts
So, what are your thoughts on biosolids and their application in agriculture? Ever heard about PFAS and how hazardous they are? I’d love to hear from you.
I’m sometimes nervous writing about controversial topics such as this, but at the same time, you’re trusting us with what you eat and we owe it to you to state our beliefs when it comes to food and why we raise our animals and farm the way we do.
Thanks for letting us be part of your family’s food. We’re so proud to be a part of your table and your story.
Thanks for following us and allowing us to serve you. If you have questions, give us a shout or Share Your Thoughts. Have a wonderful week!
With our appreciation,
Jason, Lexi, & Family
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How To Get That Pastured Goodness!
Want to pick some Longbottom Farm beef, pork, poultry, eggs, and coffee as well as other locally produced goodies. These are the places to do it.
Charlottesville City Market – (April 6th – Dec 21st) Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. A great way to stock up on some local food and treats while enjoying some fresh air. Thanks to all those that have come out to support local farms and artisans in our area. Hope to see you there!
Farm Pick-Up – Order online and pick up your order at our newly constructed barn. Place your order online, then once you receive the “Your Order is Ready for Pick-up” email (24 – 72 hours), pick-up anytime between 8am – 8pm SEVEN DAYS A WEEK! Your Order will be placed in our outdoor freezers / fridge for pick-up at your convenience and labeled with your name. Easy-peasy!
Locally Delivery – If you are within 30 minutes of our farm (availability is determined by zip code at checkout), we offer home delivery to the Scottsville / Charlottesville areas. We deliver every Friday for orders over $50 ($6 delivery charge) and FREE DELIVERY for orders over $99. Simply Order online and we’ll take care of the rest!
Longbottom Farm Online Store
