Learn about regenerative ranching, why we support it, and how our partners at Country Natural Beef are putting it into practice.
At New Seasons Market, we believe that good food is directly related to doing good for people, communities, and the planet—whether that means buying apples that support a local farmer, wild-caught fish that helps protect a local watershed, or humanely raised meat that champions sustainable and resilient local food systems.
That's why we've partnered with the Country Natural Beef Co-Op since day one. They farm using regenerative ranching practices that prioritize animal welfare and holistic grazing practices, and their guiding philosophy aligns with our unwavering commitment to supporting regenerative ranches: leave the land better than you found it.
And they're working hard to do just that. For more than 38 years, this network of family ranches across the West has honed their regenerative ranching practices across their collective 6.5 million acres—as the largest ranching cooperative in the Western U.S.
So, what exactly is regenerative ranching? Well, to put it simply, it's a way of farming and ranching that helps nourish rather than deplete the land by focusing on soil health, water efficiency and biodiversity. It's no secret that beef production emits greenhouse gases, but Country Natural Beef is working to reduce or offset those emissions to create greener pastures, now and for future generations.
What do regenerative ranching practices look like for Country Natural Beef?
As ranchers, they feel it is their responsibility to manage every part of the ranching system—from soil and water to plants and animals. That includes:
Aiming to keep the bare soil covered as much as possible with cover crops and minimizing disturbance
Managing the diversity of native plant and animal species, including native wildlife
Promoting continual living plants (more perennials vs. annuals)
Maintaining livestock integration with enhanced management
Improving water infiltration
To ensure accountability in land regeneration, they've been formalizing standards and launching a new proucing line under the name they've long used—GrazewellTM. Every rancher in the co-op must meet specific requirements, including written grazing plans, monitoring sites, and annual observations, to ensure their practices work in harmony with nature.
To help them reach their goals, Country Natural Beef is working with Sustainable Northwest to establish baseline measurements and create management practices that exemplify the benefits of regenerative ranching.
Learn more about GrazewellTM and the work that Country Natural Beef is doing for a more sustainable future here.
At New Seasons Market, we firmly believe in local partnerships that support a more sustainable future—and bring delicious food to your table. We’re proud to partner with local ranches like Country Natural Beef to offer humanely raised steaks, ground beef, roast, and more. Because the better it’s raised, the better it tastes.
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