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Pasture to Plate

People, Animals, Healthy Soils

Celebrating 20 Years

Pasture to Plate

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Who We Are

The PASTURE TO PLATE BUTCHER SHOP on 1420 Commercial Drive not only stocks the finest quality organic meats and organic meat delicatessen, but also provides the connection to Rafter 25 Ranch where the animals are born, grown and fattened organically and it connects to organic Chilcotin Harvest, where the animals are harvested respectfully. You will see that PASTURE TO PLATE stands for transparency and lives up to what we say we are doing. Being totally vertically integrated assures the integrity of the organism, PASTURE TO PLATE, and it assures that you, as the valued customer and quintessential link in the chain of wholesome food production, are paying for what you see and what you want and what you know is good for you.

OUR STORY

Jasmin and Felix

Jasmin and I (Felix) met in boarding school in Switzerland and became high school sweethearts. During the summer holidays of 1977 we hitchhiked through Canada, starting in Montreal, to get to know what ultimately was our choice of country to live and grow in. Vehicles readily stopped and gave us rides and we got to know many wonderful people that way. What a generous people these Canadians were and still are! Back in Montreal I stayed behind with a bleeding heart and hitched rides back to Alberta where I studied Agriculture and Farrier Science at Olds Agricultural Collage, while Jasmin finished her teachers training in Schiers, Switzerland. This was before cell phones and PCs and staying in touch for young love was a challenge to say the least…

Why Organic & Grass-Finished Meats?
Healthier Lifestyle, Ethical Treatment, Environmentally Conscious

Organic Grass-fed Beef

At Rafter 25 Ranch, we run what is called a “closed herd”; no breeding animals have been brought in for the last eight years and breeding stock is selected from a strict criteria. This guarantees a herd which performs well on the Chilcotin plateau.

Our cattle are winter fed hay for an average of 60 days to 90 days; the remainder of their time is spent grazing on lush, irrigated pastures and on 60,000 hectares of range land.

Organic Pork

Pasture to Plate’s pig stock are a mix of wild boar and Berkshire pigs, a rare English breed highly prized for its excellent culinary qualities. Our stock is hardy and energetic, and they are built to thrive in the cool Chilcotin environment.

Our pigs are weaned at six to eight weeks, and they begin to graze and dig for roots in our expansive pastures. Their diets are supplemented with certified organic feed, and produce straight from our organic market garden.

Organic Lamb

The sheep graze into the winter and, when snow conditions demand, they are fed hay. They do not leave deeded land and are protected by our four guardian dogs. What wonderful animals they are! The sheep will also be fed fodder, (sprouted, certified organic grains), as soon as the fodder station is finished, which we expect to happen before Christmas, 2015.

Organic Chicken

Pasture to Plates poultry (primarily chicken, with small flocks of turkey, ducks and geese) are born and raised under ideal conditions, and we are confident that you will taste the difference.

Selected from eggs that have not been vaccinated or medicated, our poultry are sheltered and warmed during the early stages of development. They are given only certified organic feed, fresh water and natural health supplements, such as sea salt, which is vital for proper development.

Organic Turkey

We firmly believe that you will enjoy a special event organic turkey feast even more when knowing that the bird on your table was fed the cleanest, locally grown grains, certified organic pasture and clean, untreated water.

Pastured Eggs

By purchasing your eggs at P2P, you are having a direct impact on the future of small scale, hands-on agriculture. P2P Eggs are soy free, the hens enjoy outdoor/pasture life during the warm months and have shelter from the cold in our deep litter barn during winter while still having access to the outdoors.

Merino Wool

Our sheep are shorn each spring. Their wool is processed into many beautiful items, including skeins for home knitting projects. The washed, carded and spun wool is available to order online and is for sale in our stores. See your ‘collaborations’ page for finished products made with our wool!

Deep Litter & Fodder

Fodder is grown for the animals on the ranch during the cold months to supply them with some fresh greens. This is a great way to naturally support their immune systems while also keeping up the high nutritional value of the meat and eggs. Growing fodder is much like growing sprouts at home in your kitchen, only we do it on a large scale. Organic seeds and grains are first soaked, then spread on growing trays. When the sprouts have grown into young plants and are several inches tall, they are fed fresh to the animals.