Willowbrook Farms – Cassopolis, MI

Vanessa Frias and her family raise Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW) laying hens and pigs at Willowbrook Farms in Cassopolis, Michigan. The Frias family began farming in March of 2022. Vanessa comes to farming after many years of operating a successful childcare center, and she is driven by providing healthy food and farming education to her community. “Many people are realizing that to be healthy they have to eat naturally grown, nutrient rich food,” says Vanessa. “We are committed to supplying that for our customers.”

The Frias family raises Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW Idaho Pasture pigs outdoors on pasture and range where they are free to root and forage as pigs naturally do. This high-welfare management is a fundamental component of AGW certification and is known to have environmental, nutritional, and culinary benefits. “Our Idaho Pasture pigs are a crossbreed of Kunekune, Old Berkshire, and Duroc pigs,” says Vanessa. “Our pork is offered in both halves, wholes, and specialty retail cuts. With exceptional color, marbling, and flavor, we believe our pork is of the highest quality!”

The flock of Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW laying hens at Willowbrook Farms are raised outdoors on pasture, and are able to perform natural behaviors, like running, dust bathing, pecking and scratching for grubs and seeds. Pasture-based management not only provides the highest welfare conditions for the hens, but also produces healthier eggs containing three times as much vitamin E, seven times more beta-carotene, and twice the omega-3 fatty acids as industrial eggs. “We sell our pasture-raised chicken eggs by the dozen,” says Vanessa. “Since our birds are able to forage around as they would naturally, getting both insects and grasses, the yolks are rich in color and nutrients!”

The Frias family was inspired by another local farm to pursue AGW certification. “We’re committed to what we do, and we want to offer the very best products for our customers,” says Vanessa. “Our AGW certifications is an extra verification of our high-welfare farming practices.”

The farm offers agritourism events throughout the year, including a focus on school field trips, seasonal events and summer camps for children ages 6-12. “We believe in the importance of connecting children with nature and teaching them about agriculture,” says Vanessa. “Our goal through agritourism is to provide a hands-on learning opportunity where kids can interact with animals and gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from.”

Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW pork and chicken eggs from Willowbrook Farms are available directly from the farm, through the self-service farm store, with online order and pick-up/area delivery and at multiple farmers’ markets. Check the AGW directory for details. For more information about Willowbrook Farms, visit willowbrookfarmsmi.com, follow the farm on Facebook, Instagram and get in touch with Vanessa online, vanessa@willowbrookmi.com or (574) 386-7550.