Choosing Your Farmers

Here at Polyface, we believe transparency is the cornerstone of trust. Whether you're a long-time follower/supporter or just discovering our farm, we're glad you're here. Whether you're a current patron or just interested in learning more, we hope we can help.

We're firm believers in folks finding a food treasure map made up of farmers whom you know and trust; farmers you can have access to and get to know. 

Today, I decided to offer 10 questions (plus our answers) to help you decide where to buy your food! 

These are questions we either hear often or believe are important in choosing a farmer.

• Can I visit your farm?

Yes! We welcome visitors and have a 24/7/365 open-door policy. In fact, we encourage people to come and see how and where their food is produced. 

From self-guided tours to in-depth educational experiences and large events, we offer several ways to explore the farm. Keep an eye on our website or social media for upcoming events and details.

• Do you grow or raise everything you sell?

Everything we sell is raised or produced right here on the farm or in partnership with nearby farms that meet our standards. We believe in short, transparent supply chains. That means you’re not only buying food—you’re investing in a local, regenerative system you can see and trust. Even though we trust them and they meet our standards, we clearly label all products that are not grown by us, so that you can check out those small businesses for yourself.

• What is the mission of Polyface Farm?

Our mission is to heal the land, nourish people, and build community through regenerative farming. You can read our full mission statement and guiding principles on our website! 

We strive to model a sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture—one that prioritizes soil health, animal welfare, and local food economies; that mimics nature and encourages ecosystems. We want to inspire others to reconnect with the land and take control of their food choices.

• How are your animals treated?

We raise our animals with the utmost respect and care for their individual uniqueness and original design. Our animals are rotated frequently on fresh pasture, which lets them express their natural behaviors. Chickens scratch, pigs root, and cows graze—all in clean, open-air environments. We don’t use confinement systems or subject our animals to unnecessary stress. Happy animals are essential to healthy ecosystems and nutritious food.

• What do you feed your animals?

Our animals eat what nature intended. Cows and sheep are 100% grass-fed. Chickens and pigs are given non-GMO grain supplements but spend their days foraging outdoors on pasture or in wooded areas. This diverse, natural diet produces healthier animals—and healthier food for you. You can find detailed breakdowns of how we raise our animals in the older posts on our blog. Have fun exploring and learning more. 

• Is your meat organic?

We are not USDA certified organic. We like to call ourselves "Beyond Organic" because our practices exceed 'organic' standards in many ways. We don't use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMO's. Our animals live on pasture. We do not use vaccines or antibiotics. You can read more about this in our blog post "Why is Polyface not Organic?"

• How do your farming practices support the environment?

Everything we do is centered around regenerative agriculture. By rotating animals, composting manure, and avoiding chemicals, we improve soil health, build biodiversity, and reduce carbon emissions. Our goal isn’t just sustainability—it’s restoration. We want to leave the land better than we found it.

• How do customers purchase your products?

We make it easy to buy directly from us. Customers can:

Visit our on-farm store

Join our neighborhood delivery clubs across the region

Order for convenient UPS delivery to your door across the contiguous USA. 

Find our products in retail stores in select areas of Virginia

• What factors affect your pricing?

Our prices reflect the true cost of ethical, regenerative farming. That includes fair wages, humane animal care, and environmental stewardship. We don’t cut corners to compete with industrial prices to make more, faster, cheaper, but we do everything we can to stay affordable while maintaining quality. One of our guiding principles is that quality must always go up. Think of it as an investment in your health, your community, and the planet.

• Can I learn more?

We’re here to help! We have educational events, this blog, books, and you can find tons of Youtube videos about us because we're not hiding or patenting what we do. 

If you have questions, feel free to email us anytime! You can find the best person to answer your questions on our contact page.

You can also call the farm directly. (Please remember that we are a working farm first and foremost. Our store/phone hours are limited because of our busy schedules. We ask that you leave a message and be patient with us.)

You can visit us whenever you'd like to talk to our team at the farm store or during events where you'll find us all in matching shirts.

We love connecting with people who care about food, farming, and the future.

Polyface exists because people like you believe there’s a better way to farm—and eat. Thank you for your curiosity, your support, and your willingness to ask questions. Write these questions down and save them for future use as you build your own food treasure map.

Blessings,

Hannah