Feeding Good

Tim and Sarah Haws own Autumn’s Harvest Farm near Romulus in New York, where they have a number of livestock enterprises

How did you get into farming?

When Sarah and I were on our first date she mentioned her attempt to hatch grocery store eggs in her clothes drawer when she was little.

On our second date I bought her six chicks in lieu of flowers. That was literally the start of Autumn’s Harvest Farm! Today, we manage 125 Katahdin sheep, 200 Murray Grey cattle, 1,000 laying hens, Berkshire pigs, meat chickens, turkeys, and a goat named Stella. Our son, Ty, manages Autumn’s Harvest Kennels, providing year-round dog training and kenneling services.

How did you hear about AGW?

We were looking at certifications that focused on environmental stewardship, animal welfare, and a clear distinction from conventional farming. AGW’s standards aligned with what we aimed to achieve. The regular audits assure that we are upholding a high level of care. Our certifications help open doors when trying to get new customers, setting us apart from other farms.

Describe a typical day

This changes throughout the year. Right now, we start by checking for newborn lambs and calves, before getting the children to school. Most of my day is then devoted to animal care and managing our rotational grazing system, as well as building business relationships and refining our approach  to the land as a carbon capturing enterprise.

Sustainable farming: why does it matter?

The impact of our food systems on our lives —and the planet—is becoming harder to ignore. Each year seems to bring more extreme weather events, along with economic and health challenges. Adopting a regenerative farming approach has not only helped our business to become more resilient but also positioned our community to thrive in the face of these new challenges.

The biggest threats to sustainable farming?

Big businesses cashing in on trends with large scale ‘greenwashed’ versions. Outside investors can shift priorities away from sustainable practices.

Who are your customers?

Some customers have been with us since the very beginning when we had no idea what we were doing! Today, we have several notable wholesale accounts including butcher shops in New York City like Hudson and Charles, grocery delivery services like Walden Local, and various local chefs. Recently, we started direct shipping our frozen certified AWA meats to households across New York state.

What is your greatest achievement?

The fact that we’ve helped feed thousands of families across the Northeast feels pretty good!

Plans for the future?

As the market becomes more competitive we need to set ourselves apart from the competition. That means constantly improving our breeding stock, educating our consumers, and reaching new families through innovative marketing strategies.

AT A GLANCE

Certified since: 2011

Size: 144 acres

Soil type: loam,  clay loam

Altitude: 758 feet

Annual rainfall: 32 inches

Enterprises: Certified Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Grassfed by A Greener World registered Murray Grey cattle and Katahdin sheep; Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW Berkshire pigs and laying hens

autumnsharvestfarmpasturedmeats.com

Originally published in the Summer 2024 issue of AGW’s Sustainable Farming magazine.