Hough Heritage Farm – Gibsons, BC

Raquel Kolof’s interest in farming began with her backyard hens in East Vancouver. In 2014, Raquel relocated to Gibsons, British Columbia to fulfill her dream of farming. Today, Raquel raises Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW) beef cattle at Hough Heritage Farm on the Sunshine Coast in Gibsons, BC.

Hough Heritage Farm is located on the old Hough Dairy farmland, and Raquel has been working to revive the landscape to be as vibrant and healthy as possible. “In addition to the 80 year-old Douglas Fir forest and heritage fruit orchards, I’ve focused on creating multiple pastures with diverse grasses and legumes that will allow our livestock to graze naturally,” says Raquel.

Raquel manages a herd of Lowline cattle at Hough Heritage Farm. This breed originated in Australia and were developed as a smaller version of the Scottish Black Angus. “The breed is extremely hard, the are easy calving and have docile temperaments,” says Raquel. “They are efficient grass feeders and produce high-quality, well-marbled beef.”

The Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW beef cattle at Hough Heritage Farm are rotationally managed, grazing one section of pasture before being moved to fresh fields. This type of management allows grass to recover before cows return to graze again; it also keeps the soil properly fertilized and minimizes the build-up of internal parasites, thereby avoiding reliance on chemical treatments. “I rotate my animals throughout the pastures allowing for the perfect balance of optimal disturbance, rest and rejuvenation of the fields,” says Raquel.

Raquel was drawn to AGW certification because of the program’s high-welfare standards and added level of verification for her customers. “It is incredibly rewarding to be able to feed nutrient dense meat to the community and to do it in a way that regenerates the land, protects nature and preserves traditional breeds. Providing healthy meat that had a great life with their family groups, living free in nature fills us with pride.”

Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW beef from Hough Heritage Farm is available directly from the farm through a pre-order system with on-site pickup at the farm store. Visit the AGW directory for details. For more information about Hough Heritage Farm, visit houghfarm.com, follow the farm on Instagram and contact Raquel Kolof online and at info@houghfarm.com.