North 44 Farm – Bend, OR

Courtney Schuur and Ethan O’Brien are first generation ranchers raising Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW), Certified Grassfed by AGW beef cattle and sheep at North 44 Farm in Bend, Oregon.

With Courtney’s background as a former chef, she has helped create a program focused on high-quality end products loved in both commercial and home kitchens. Ethan, a former engineer, creates methodical and detail-oriented approaches to pasture-based systems starting from soil health, along with biodiverse pasture development and animal rotations.

The Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW beef cattle and sheep at North 44 Farm are managed outdoors on pasture and range. “Our cattle and sheep graze a network of owned and leased parcels where they are free to graze,” says Courtney. “This intensive management allows the animals, the soil, and the pastures to become more resilient and thrive. To put our management practices simply, our herd follows seasonal grasses from early spring to late fall.”

Courtney and Ethan utilize Management Intensive Grazing (MiG) for their flock of Katahdin/Texel cross sheep. “Our sheep move onto new grass every 3 days for as long as the grass is growing,” says Courtney. “This practice benefits both the sheep and soil health. When the grass goes dormant through our cold winters, we feed the sheep grass hay grown right here in Central Oregon.”

In addition to being Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, the beef cattle and sheep at North 44 Farm are Certified Grassfed by AGW, the first—and only—food label in the U.S. and Canada that guarantees food products come from animals fed a 100% grass and forage diet, and raised entirely outdoors on pasture or range.

Courtney and Ethan chose to pursue AGW certification for the verification it provides. “North 44 Farm is known for producing high-quality grass-fed and finished beef and lamb, and for our commitment to animal welfare and environmental stewardship,” says Courtney. “We’re glad to have the backing of our Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW labels.”

Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW beef and lamb from North 44 Farm is available through multiple outlets including nationwide shipping, local delivery and area retail outlets including grocery stores, restaurants and farmers’ markets. Please check the AGW directory for details. For more information about North 44 Farm, visit north44farm.com, follow the farm on Facebook and Instagram and get in touch at hello@north44farm.com.