Our Practices: The Solstice Difference
Getting high-quality, pasture-raised beef from our farm to your freezer is simple and flexible.
The Difference
Most beef in the U.S. comes from cattle raised to 18-24 months, quickly fattened, and processed. Our cattle live longer, graze through multiple seasons, and truly adapt to the land. Here’s why that matters for you:
- More nutrient-dense - With extra time on pasture, our cattle build richer stores of vitamins and minerals from diverse seasonal grasses. That means more of the good stuff on your plate.
- Healthier fats - Years of grazing produce beef with better omega-3s and naturally occurring compounds like CLA, which are linked to wellness and vitality.
- Richer flavor - Just like wine reflects the soil it comes from, our beef carries the character of the local pasture. The result? A deeper, more satisfying taste you can’t find in quick-finished beef.
- Better for the land – Multi-year grazing supports healthy pastures, thriving soil, and resilient ecosystems. Our cows help regenerate the land instead of depleting it.
When you choose our beef, you’re not just getting a meal, you’re tasting the difference of time, care, and connection to the land. We believe these practices set us apart from both small and big farms.
- Nutrient density - Our animals live long enough to build and retain nutrients from several grazing seasons. This allows their digestive systems to adapt to local forages, unlike a typical 24-month steer that is quickly fattened and processed.
- Truly local, small-scale processing - Navigating the right processors was a nightmare, but we discovered that the best quality control and consistency comes from local, state-inspected custom-exempt processors.
The Pasture
At Solstice Beef Company, it all starts with the pasture. Our cattle are 100% grass fed and grass finished, grazing on open fields year round. They eat fresh forage, drink clean water, and have plenty of room to roam. We manage our pastures to build soil life and strengthen the land over time.
We don’t chase certifications or labels. Those programs often add cost without reflecting the real work happening on the ground. Instead, we choose transparency. We welcome questions, farm visits, and honest conversations about how your beef is raised. Trust comes from connection, not a stamp.
We move our cattle often so they always have access to clean pasture. This allows the grass to rest and regrow, protecting root systems and keeping the soil covered year round. A living root feeds soil microbes and fungi, which in turn build structure, store carbon, and improve fertility naturally.
Healthy soil also means cleaner water. With strong root systems and rich organic matter, rain soaks in instead of running off, protecting our creeks and the watersheds downstream.
Each pasture is managed to encourage diversity, different grasses, clovers, wildflowers, and native plants that feed both the herd and the wildlife that shares this land. The result is a rich ecosystem supporting sensitive species of pollinators, songbirds, and ground nesting birds.
We believe that when the land is alive, everything it supports is stronger, from the soil microbes underground to the cattle grazing above.
We see ourselves as caretakers of the land first. Everything begins with healthy soil, because when the ground thrives, everything above it does too. Living soil teems with microbes, fungi, and insects that cycle nutrients and give the land resilience through droughts and heavy rain.
This approach creates a balanced system that is good for the cattle, good for the land, and good for the community that depends on both.
At Solstice Beef Company, we are not chasing shortcuts or trends. We are raising cattle the right way, with respect for the land, the animals, and the families who gather around the table.
The Herd
Calm cattle are healthy cattle. We take pride in raising and handling them with care. When sorting or moving the herd, we use quiet, low stress methods modeled after Temple Grandin’s approach. That means no shouting, no electric prods, just calm movement and well designed spaces that keep animals comfortable.
A relaxed environment creates better lives for the cattle and better beef for your table.
We move our cattle often so they always have access to clean pasture. This allows the grass to rest and regrow, protecting root systems and keeping the soil covered year round. A living root feeds soil microbes and fungi, which in turn build structure, store carbon, and improve fertility naturally.
Our cattle live outdoors all year. In the growing season, they graze fresh pasture. When the grass goes dormant, we roll out hay and unroll bales on cold or muddy days so they have dry ground to rest on. They are never confined indoors. Fresh air and space are part of their life.
We never use hormones or feed additives. Antibiotics are given only if an animal truly needs them, just as you would with your own family. Our goal is prevention, keeping the herd strong through good feed, clean water, and close attention.
We check the cattle regularly, moving them to fresh ground and watching for changes. This hands on approach keeps them healthy and calm. They also have access to free choice minerals, including Sea 90 sea salt, so they can balance what their bodies need naturally.
We raise mostly Red Angus cattle, a breed known for its hardiness, mothering ability, and excellent beef. They thrive in Virginia’s changing seasons and do well on a grass based diet.
Good genetics help, but the real key is good management and paying attention every day to the animals, the land, and the details that matter.