Long a producer of Black Angus breeding stock, Elmwood continues to sell breeding bulls to other area farms. Because the cows are bred and raised by the Bell family at Elmwood Stock Farm, the genetics, bloodlines and background of each animal is known and available to any buyer wanting to upgrade a cattle herd. This experience and integrity in breeding now is available for those desiring top quality, clean and nutritious beef for themselves and their family. Elmwood's beef is processed under the supervision of USDA federal inspection to ensure our cleanness is maintained. A dry-aging process accentuates the full beef flavor and improves tenderness. We don't allow injection of flavor enhancers, colored dyes, or preservatives into our beef products.

We believe in practicing sustainable agriculture where the forces of nature are cultured, not controlled. Our system requires no chemical additives and uses little fuel. From our own herd, we identify the cattle best suited for retail market. They are well fed and watered for over 400 days, portable fences are moved often opening up fresh pasture, the pastures are seeded and weeds clipped, hay is mowed for winter feed, then raked, baled, and stored -- all to maintain the optimum health of the livestock. It is more work for us yet more rewarding for us all. Our soil produces the top forage that is well balanced with needed minerals for healthy growth of animals -- the same reason that high-valued horses are raised in the Bluegrass area. Our cattle graze these pastures raised without the use of synthetic chemical fertilizer or herbicides, to develop the taste and nutrition quality we have become accustomed to. Elmwood's beef system is not designed to produce the greatest numbers possible, but rather produce a clean and wholesome product – great tasting food with integrity.

The 3 attributes that distinguish our beef are the following:

1. We breed and raise our own cattle. The organic steers we choose for our meats are not purchased at cattle auctions or from others – we know the genetics and the background on all the meat products we sell. We only offer the best to our customers and are not pressured to bring inconsistent quality to the marketplace.
2. Our cattle are raised year-round outdoors on Bluegrass pasture. We don't confine them to a feedlot; they have plenty of access to open air, sunshine, clean water and abundant grasses. The result is a grass-based grazing system that results in a clean, wholesome, nutritious product.
3. Our beef cattle are produced under a carefully planned and maintained process to meet National USDA Organic Standards. Organic farming practices begin years before our steers and heifers are grown when we sow the seeds for the organic forages we'll feed our cattle. We had to meet the Organic Certification standards for three years before receiving our certification, and we have maintained it for many years. An agent of USDA inspects us at least once annually, keep substantial records to document our practices, ensuring third party verification of the integrity of our program.

We know of no other local product that meets all three of the attributes outlined above. The background behind our product combined with the experience and care of our production system ensures the best quality and most nutritious beef available.