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Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
If you’ve visited us lately, you’ve likely seen the wide, flat stretches at the front of the farm. But as you go back toward the York County line, those flats give way to rolling hills leading to the creek bottom. This land has been the heartbeat of our family since my grandparents, Jim and Anna, first purchased it in 1979.
Today, as Noah and Abby grow up here, they represent the fourth generation of Watsons to call this soil home. But as we’ve watched the skyline of the Charlotte-metro area grow taller and the subdivisions of York County creep closer over the last 10 years, we realized that their future on this land wasn’t guaranteed by tradition alone.
A little over a year ago, our family—my parents, Gary and June, and Kelly, and myself—made it official. We partnered with the Farm Bureau Land Trust to put our entire 350-acre farm into a conservation easement.
What “Forever” Really Means
This was not a decision we made lightly or quickly. It involved a mountain of paperwork and a long, often laborious process with appraisers, attorneys, and our bank. But the result is simple: this land can never be anything but a farm.
By choosing this path, we were able to access conservation funding that helped us address “legacy debt” from our old turkey operation. But in the world of farming, the financial engine is always turning and requiring constant reinvestment. One of the greatest benefits of the easement is that it has allowed us to make needed investments—like the broiler expansion that we discussed last week—that will allow us to heal more land with your partnership.
The Truth About Farm Security
Many farmers avoid dealing directly with consumers, but we embrace it. (See the section below about Spring Farm Day!) We know that without your willingness to step out of the normal grocery store routine and shop with us, Watson Farms would cease to exist—with or without a conservation easement on the land.
In fact, as grateful as we are for the conservation easement, we know that customers like you provide more farm security across our country than easements ever will.
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
Happy Sunday from Lowrys! 🚜
The transition into spring is always a high-energy time here at Watson Farms. Between the greening pastures and the sounds of new life, the momentum is building. We’ve been keeping our heads down and our boots moving, and we have some big updates to share with you this week.
The Spring Chicken Stock Up Event 🍗
First off, we have been absolutely blown away by the response to our Spring Chicken Stock Up Event. You all have been busy filling your freezers, and because of that, a few of our popular items are starting to run low.
If you’ve been waiting to grab your poultry, now is the time. While some cuts are thinning out, we still have a great supply of smaller whole broilers (in the 2lb and 3lb ranges) which are perfect for family dinners or Sunday roasts. We also have plenty of wings ready for the grill or air fryer.
To keep things exciting, we’ve just launched two brand-new bundles to help you save:
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
Spring is arriving here at Watson Farms! 🌸
We’ve officially graduated the cattle off hay and back into their warm-weather routine of daily paddock shifts on fresh grass. 🌱 It’s also an exciting time as we’ve welcomed a new group of calves that we’ll be caring for over the next year as they move through our regenerative grazing program.
Meanwhile, our H2A crew is back in full swing—caring for the pigs and baby chicks while building new brooder pens and pasture hoop houses for our upcoming broiler expansion. 🏗️ It’s a season of growth and preparation, which brings us to some big news.
The Spring Chicken Stock Up Event is LIVE! 🍗
Each year, we purposefully plan for a surplus during our growing season. Since we only raise broilers in the warm months to protect the birds and the pastures, we have to stock the freezers heavy enough to last through the winter production gap. ❄️ It’s always a bit of a guessing game, and we would much rather have plenty available for you than run out mid-winter!
As we head toward our first processing dates in late April, that intentional surplus means our freezers are still quite full. To make room for the new season, we are launching our most aggressive chicken sale of the year.
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
🌿 A Dash of Patience Paid Off: The Cattle are Out!
If you remember from Pasture Posts #260, we were playing a bit of a “waiting game.” We spent time looking over our winter annual pastures—that beautiful mix of ryegrass and triticale—and as much as we (and the cattle) wanted to jump the gun, we had to wait for the ground to be just right to avoid “pugging” and damaging the soil.
The wait is officially over.
The cattle have finally been turned out onto that lush, vibrant green forage, and to say they are enjoying it would be an understatement. There is a certain “spring energy” in the air when the herd hits a fresh, nutrient-dense pasture for the first time after a long winter. We captured some great photos of them soaking up the sun and the ryegrass, which we’ve included below! This high-quality forage is exactly what allows us to produce the 100% grass-fed and finished beef you’ve come to expect from Watson Farms.
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
Hey everyone,
It’s been a record-breaking few weeks here in Lowrys. Our fulfillment team has been very busy trying to keep up with one of the highest volumes of orders we’ve seen in a long time, thanks to our recent event. If you’ve been eyeing those freezer-stockers, don’t wait too long—our Overstock Blowout Sale officially ends tonight at midnight!
Amid all the bustle lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about why we do what we do. You’ve probably noticed that “farm-to-table” has become a big business. Everywhere you look, there’s a new subscription box or a “digital market” promising local food with the click of a button. In many ways, that’s a win—it means more people are waking up to the importance of how their food is raised.
But as these services grow, I think it’s important to talk about what “local” and “direct” really mean to us at Watson Farms.
The Power of a Direct Connection
When you receive a box from us, it isn’t coming from a third-party warehouse or a corporate food hub. It’s coming from a family-run operation. We aren’t just “curating” items to fill a slot in a delivery schedule; we are stewards of the land and the animals.
There is a level of accountability that only exists when the person selling the meat is the same person who checked the fences this morning.
Why We Work with Our Neighbors
While we raise a large portion of our beef right here on our home pastures, keeping up with the support from families across the Eastern US means we also partner with a handful of like-minded producers in our region.
We are very selective about this. These aren’t just “suppliers”—they are neighbors and friends who follow the Watson Farms way:
Our Beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished (no grain, ever).
Daily Rotation (when weather permits)
No Feedlots
No Hormones
No Routine Antibiotics
Total Transparency in how every animal is treated.
By working together, we aren’t just filling boxes; we are helping more family farms stay on the land and ensuring that you get a consistent, high-quality product every single time you order.
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
The Waiting Game
Abby, Noah, and I spent some time in the past couple days looking over the cattle and the winter annual pastures. If you’ve driven down the driveway to the Farm Store lately, you’ve probably noticed the field to your right. That mix of ryegrass and triticale has done wonderfully this winter, and it is clearly sensing that the days are getting longer. It’s responding with a level of vibrancy and vigor that we haven’t seen in months.
While that high-sugar grass is “popping” and ready for the herd, we’ve decided to hold the line for just a couple more days.
With a good bit of rain forecast for Sunday, the risk of “pugging” the ground—tearing up the soil and damaging the root systems we’ve worked so hard to build—is just too high. It takes a bit of discipline to look at that lush grass and tell the cattle “not yet,” but protecting the land is a priority. They’ll get that first taste of spring energy very soon.
The Winter “Secret Sauce” (Stored Forage Recipe)
Until we turn them out, the herd is enjoying our refined winter forage recipe. This is truly a “full circle” moment on the farm. If you remember back in September (Pasture Posts #237), we were working hard in the heat to put up the haylage we are feeding right now.
This winter, we’ve improved the mix by transitioning to a higher percentage of dry oat hay. Oat hay is a powerhouse for grass-fed cattle; it is highly digestible and provides a significant boost in energy and protein compared to standard grass hays. This helps the cattle maintain their condition even when the temperatures drop.
However, there’s a catch. When we run this high-quality oat hay through the bale processor to chop it for better digestion, it creates a lot of “fines” and can be quite dusty. To protect the cattle’s respiratory systems and make the meal more palatable, we’ve started adding about 100 gallons of water to every load.
It’s a simple addition that makes a world of difference. The moisture knocks down the dust and makes the forage much easier for them to eat—so much so that they don’t have to trudge over to the water tank nearly as often to wash it down.
Just as the cattle are eagerly waiting for their spring grass, we know many of you have been waiting for the right time to restock the freezer.
The Overstock Blowout Sale is still rolling, but we are likely entering the final stages of these discounts. This past week, we added NY Strip steaks to the sale, including a NY Strip Bundle of 30 steaks for the very first time. At roughly 25% off our retail prices, this is one of the best values we’ve offered on one of our most popular cuts.
In addition to the Overstock event, we have several of our larger bundles currently on sale as well. If you are looking to truly stock up, check out the Beef Family Bundle, the 1/8 Beef Bundle, and the Quarter Beef Bundle.
Because we have currently run out of Filet Mignon, these bundles are looking a little different than usual. To make up for the lack of Filets, we have added extra NY Strip and Ribeye to these bundles. It’s a great opportunity to get even more of those premium steakhouse cuts in your freezer at a discounted price.
Now is the time to act before these supplies run low and we wrap up the blowout event. Whether you’re grabbing individual NY Strip steaks, the new 30-steak bundle, or one of our larger bulk options, we appreciate you choosing to support our family farm.
“This was my first time ordering and it was a great experience. Everything came packaged safely and frozen! I am trying to support locally and buy higher quality food, this was the best opportunity to do so. I will be purchasing again soon 🙂 Thank you!”
We would greatly appreciate it if you would be kind enough to leave us a review. It helps first-time customers purchase with confidence.
UPS Orders (all orders ship with insulation and dry ice):
UPS orders normally ship out on Mondays – Wednesdays.
Tracking: As usual, you will receive an automated email with a tracking link as soon as your order leaves the farm.
Farm Pickup (Always Free!):
If you are local, Farm Pickup is often the fastest way to get your products. Please wait until you receive an email stating that your order is Ready for Pickup (typically 1 business day after your order is placed) before heading over.
It’s now easier than ever to Give $15 and Get $15 through our Referral Program. We don’t spend a lot of money of advertising, but rather we focus on producing products that people love and are willing to tell others about. So we depend on word of mouth to find new customers and ultimately to heal more land.
So in an effort to streamline this process we have made it easier to tell others (via email, Facebook, or Twitter) about Watson Farms. And it’s all automated on the backend, so you don’t have to rely on us to issue the store credits manually. Just head over to our Referrals Page and start sharing!
Thanks again for being partners in this endeavor of local, pasture-raised proteins that has truly transformed our farm. We look forward to continuing this transition while serving you long into the future.
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
The snow earlier this week kept us busy, but our new barn upfit proved its worth by keeping the cattle warm and dry. If you missed the footage of the farm in the thick of the winter weather, you can catch the snowstorm highlights here and our update here.
With the storm behind us, we’re moving straight to the big news: a long-awaited program is finally back.
The Return of Subscribe and Save
If you’ve been with us for a few years, you might remember our Subscribe and Save program. We eventually had to hit the pause button on it to refine our logistics, but after plenty of work behind the scenes, we are thrilled to announce that it is officially back.
We wanted to make this as impactful as possible for your budget. We’ve selected several of our most popular bundles to kick things off. When you choose a subscription interval rather than a one-time purchase, you’ll receive an additional 5% savings. The “kicker” here is that this 5% discount is applied on top of the savings already built into the bundle price. It’s our way of rewarding the folks who make our pastured meats a consistent part of their lifestyle.
While you’re setting up your recurring orders, don’t miss the Overstock Blowout Sale. We are continuing to manage our inventory to make room for the busy spring season, and we’ve just added several high-demand items to the list.
If you’re looking to stock the freezer with clean, nutrient-dense protein at a significant discount, now is the time. We have select items marked down 25% to 50% off while supplies last, including:
These prices are only available as long as we have the stock on hand, and they’ve been moving fast. You can find the full list of sale items right here.
Whether it’s the peace of mind that comes with a recurring subscription or grabbing a great deal on our overstock blowout, our goal remains the same: providing your family with 100% grass-fed beef and pastured poultry that you can trust, no matter what the weather looks like.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to be your farmers. We hope to see you at the farm store soon or see your order come through the website!
To your health,
The Watson Farms Team
Check out this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review from Jonathan:
“We are absolutely loving our food that we ordered from Watson Farms! The speed of delivery was AMAZING!!! Plus the meat is so good! I have recommend Watson Farms to all of my co-workers!”
We would greatly appreciate it if you would be kind enough to leave us a review. It helps first-time customers purchase with confidence.
UPS Orders (all orders ship with insulation and dry ice):
UPS orders normally ship out on Mondays – Wednesdays.
Tracking: As usual, you will receive an automated email with a tracking link as soon as your order leaves the farm.
Farm Pickup (Always Free!):
If you are local, Farm Pickup is often the fastest way to get your products. Please wait until you receive an email stating that your order is Ready for Pickup (typically 1 business day after your order is placed) before heading over.
It’s now easier than ever to Give $15 and Get $15 through our Referral Program. We don’t spend a lot of money of advertising, but rather we focus on producing products that people love and are willing to tell others about. So we depend on word of mouth to find new customers and ultimately to heal more land.
So in an effort to streamline this process we have made it easier to tell others (via email, Facebook, or Twitter) about Watson Farms. And it’s all automated on the backend, so you don’t have to rely on us to issue the store credits manually. Just head over to our Referrals Page and start sharing!
Thanks again for being partners in this endeavor of local, pasture-raised proteins that has truly transformed our farm. We look forward to continuing this transition while serving you long into the future.
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
Hi everyone,
With the snow piling up and temperatures dropping to frigid levels here in Lowrys, the daily rhythm on the farm has shifted into high gear. While much of the Carolinas has been blanketed with snow, our priority remains the comfort and health of our livestock.
In this week’s video edition of Pasture Posts, we wanted to take you behind the scenes to show you exactly how we’re keeping the cattle and pigs warm, dry, and well-fed during this storm. From our newly repurposed loafing shed for the cattle to the specialized windbreaks and bedding for the pigs, you’ll see the extra steps we take to ensure our animals thrive even when the pastures are white.
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
Icy Mornings and New Purposes for Old Barns
A Frozen Sunday Morning
Hey farm friends!
As you read this today, you might be listening to the sound of sleet and freezing rain hitting the roof. The winter storm we’ve been bracing for all week is officially here.
While ice storms always bring a bit of anxiety to a farm, we feel much better about the livestock this time around. We spent a good portion of this past week putting the finishing touches on a project that has been a long time coming. We’ve been working to convert one of our former turkey barns into a sturdy winter shelter for our cattle.
If you followed our Transition Series about our move away from the turkey business, you’ll be glad to know that these structures are being put to excellent use. Inside one of the barns, the cattle now have access to frost-free water and deep straw bedding and can come and go from the pasture as they choose. Best of all, they can stay completely out of the ice and wind instead of having to hunker down under a cedar tree. Seeing them comfortable and dry on a morning like this makes all the hard work of the last week worth it.
Shipping & Store Updates: With the roads in their current state, we will be monitoring UPS service alerts closely. Since all our shipping is handled by UPS, any weather-related transit delays will depend on their operations, and we’ll keep you updated via email. We’ll also post any changes to farm store hours and shipping schedules on social media and the announcement bar at the top of the website. Please stay safe and off the roads if you can!
Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
The “Safety Gap” in Industrial Beef
Howdy from the Farm!
This week on the farm, we’ve been talking a lot about the “invisible” side of food safety. While we spend our days moving fences and checking water troughs, there is a complex biological world happening inside our cattle that directly impacts the safety of the meat on your dinner table.
I wanted to share some fascinating insights that our Farm Store Manager, Melody LeViner, shared on social media earlier this week. It perfectly highlights why our commitment to 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef isn’t just about better flavor—it’s about a fundamentally different safety profile.
Understanding the “Safety Gap”
Cattle are natural grazers, designed to thrive on forage. In the industrial food system, cattle are switched to a heavy grain-based diet to speed up growth. This changes their internal chemistry, creating what we call the Safety Gap.
The Grain Effect
In a grain-fed system, the starch ferments quickly, causing a major Acidity Spike in the cow’s rumen (stomach).
The “Training Ground”: Most bacteria die in high-acid environments. However, E. coli is incredibly adaptable. In an acidic gut, E. coli “trains” to become acid-resistant.
The Gap: When these “tough” bacteria enter the human food chain, they are already primed to survive the high acidity of the human stomach. Because they aren’t killed off by our natural digestive defenses, the risk of infection is much higher.
The Grass-Fed Difference
Cattle fed primarily on hay or grass maintain a more neutral pH in their digestive tract. Because their gut environment isn’t an “acid bath,” any E. coli present doesn’t develop that dangerous acid resistance.
The Result: The bacteria from a grass-fed ruminant animal are much more likely to be neutralized by your own body’s natural defenses. That is the Safety Gap—and grass-fed beef puts the odds back in your favor.
Industrial Systems Are More Likely to Have Industrial-Sized Recalls
We don’t just look at the biology; we look at the results. When you look at the national beef recalls over the past 10 years, the vulnerability of the industrial system becomes clear.
While the official “pounds recalled” number for 2025 was low at 2,855 pounds, that number excludes several massive Public Health Alerts. For example, in June 2025, a nationwide alert was issued for organic ground beef sold at Whole Foods. Because the product was already past its “use-by” date, the USDA didn’t count it in the formal “recalled poundage” statistics—even though the risk to consumers was just as high.
Our Promise: Defeating the “Numbers Game”
At Watson Farms, safety isn’t just about the diet; it’s about the scale.
Industrial recalls often involve hundreds of thousands of pounds because massive regional hubs mix meat from hundreds of different animals into a single batch. This creates a dangerous “numbers game.” If just one grain-fed animal has acid-resistant E. coli, it contaminates the entire industrial run.
We choose a different path:
Small-Batch Processing: We use smaller, family-owned processing plants. By keeping batches small and separate, we eliminate the risk of one animal contaminating a massive supply chain.
Transparent Chain of Custody: We know exactly which animals are in which batch. There is no “mixing with the masses.”
100% Grass-Finished: We never take the shortcut of grain-finishing, ensuring the “Safety Gap” remains closed for your family.
Stock Up with the Pasture Pair Bundle
If you want to take the guesswork out of the grocery store and fill your freezer with beef you can trust, we’ve made it easier than ever.
We recently launched our Pasture Pair Bundle—it’s the perfect way to get a steady supply of our 100% grass-fed beef alongside our pastured poultry. It’s designed for families who want to bridge the “Safety Gap” and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your farmers and their methods.
Thank you for trusting us with your family’s table.
Stay Healthy,
Matt Watson and the Watson Farms Team
Ready to secure your supply of wholesome, small-batch meats?
“So glad to find Watson Farms locally. I am beyond pleased with the meat…! I have tried several farm meat delivery services and find myself wondering why the taste and quality seems to be no better than mass produced grocery store product. Then I found Watson Farms and the difference is obvious and amazing! The two steaks I ordered were the freshest, most tender steaks I’ve had in a very long time…! Also, the chicken is very tender and juicy. Difference is like night and day! I’m signed up for a subscription box! I highly recommend 👍!”
We would greatly appreciate it if you would be kind enough to leave us a review. It helps first-time customers purchase with confidence.
UPS Orders (all orders ship with insulation and dry ice):
UPS orders normally ship out on Mondays – Wednesdays.
Tracking: As usual, you will receive an automated email with a tracking link as soon as your order leaves the farm.
Farm Pickup (Always Free!):
If you are local, Farm Pickup is often the fastest way to get your products. Please wait until you receive an email stating that your order is Ready for Pickup (typically 1 business day after your order is placed) before heading over.
It’s now easier than ever to Give $15 and Get $15 through our Referral Program. We don’t spend a lot of money of advertising, but rather we focus on producing products that people love and are willing to tell others about. So we depend on word of mouth to find new customers and ultimately to heal more land.
So in an effort to streamline this process we have made it easier to tell others (via email, Facebook, or Twitter) about Watson Farms. And it’s all automated on the backend, so you don’t have to rely on us to issue the store credits manually. Just head over to our Referrals Page and start sharing!
Thanks again for being partners in this endeavor of local, pasture-raised proteins that has truly transformed our farm. We look forward to continuing this transition while serving you long into the future.
Sincerely, The Watsons
Beef Restock!
🥩 BEEF IS BACK! Restocked & ready, including your favorite beef bundles. Shop 100% grass-fed beef now! 🛒Shop Now!
Farm Store Flash Sale!
Enjoy 15% off Ground Beef 80/20 and Whole Broilers this week at the Farm Store. (While supplies last.)
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