Stone Barns Center For Food & Agriculture - Livestock

Livestock

Stone Barns Center raises chickens, turkeys, geese, sheep, pigs and bees suited to the local ecosystem. The livestock farmers try to raise animals in a manner consistent with the animals' evolutionary instincts. The chickens, turkeys, sheep and geese are raised on pasture that’s kept healthy and productive through carefully managed rotational grazing. Grazing animals will contentedly spread their manure if they’re kept on the move with the help of portable waterers, portable fencing and other structures. The sheep and pigs’ bedding packs are regularly turned and composted. Farmers who raise animals in this fashion are frequently called “grass farmers” because there is so much emphasis on the health of the pastures.

Strategies for maintaining the pastures include intensive paddock management so the grazed area has ample time to recover and provide a natural refuge for birds and other wildlife, essential for the maintenance of ecological balance.