Sustainability

At Fischer Farms, we embrace regenerative agriculture, a holistic land management practice that reverses climate change, rebuilds soil health, and restores biodiversity. By leveraging the power of photosynthesis, our crops capture and store more carbon dioxide than old-growth forests, contributing to carbon drawdown and climate change mitigation. We actively reduce the methane emissions of our cattle by feeding them kelp as part of their diet, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 82%. Through practices like rotational grazing and direct application of cattle manure to fields, we enhance soil fertility, increase carbon sequestration, and promote a sustainable water cycle. Additionally, we prioritize local delivery methods to reduce emissions in our supply chain, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach from farm to plate.

Here at Fischer Farms, we have gone on a journey over the last two decades to enhance our soil’s health. By implementing tactics such as continuous root growth and year-round ground coverage, we have seen astonishing results. Not only have we increased crop yields, enhanced crop utilization, and fostered vibrant soil ecosystems, we have successfully increased the depth of our topsoil from 3.75 to 10 inches! Additionally, we have revitalized our subsoil to a thriving 22 inches. These practices not only prevent soil erosion but also increase the amount of carbon we are able to sequester in the soil. With results like this, we are actually helping to reduce climate change through our soil’s health. We also recognize the importance of soil biodiversity and have implemented techniques to promote a healthy balance of microscopic fungi and bacteria. By minimizing the use of harmful chemicals, we provide a thriving ecosystem for worms, insects, and other beneficial organisms, resulting in readily available nutrients for plant growth.

Fischer Farms employs various tactics to ensure the well-being of their cattle. We practice the Sandhill Calving Method and Wean Later technique where calves stay with their mothers, which promotes natural behavior and reduces stress early in their lives. The farm also utilizes dry, open-air barns for the cattle when they require shelter. Further, we follow a regimented vaccine schedule, prioritizing the health and disease prevention of their cattle. This comes from our commitment to responsible antibiotic use practices. We have partnered with the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center (ARAC) to develop the first ever manual for responsible antibiotic use in cattle with the USDA (CRAU Standard) which incorporates many of our on-farm practices dedicated to the humane treatment of our cattle. For example, garlic help deter flies and reduce pinkeye infection and probiotics.. Finally, Fischer Farms sources clean water from an upstream pond with minimal runoff, ensuring its quality and freshness for the animals. 

Fischer Farms is passionate about water conservation and stewardship by employing proactive measures to conserve this natural resource through working with environmental agencies and water conservation groups to create a sustainable system. At our farm we supply fresh drinking water to cattle via rainwater collection rather than using "city water" that has to be treated. Additionally, to protect the surrounding ecosystems we have created a runoff capture system consisting of seven strategically positioned ponds which help to filter runoff. As a last step before the water leaves the farm, it travels through a man-made wetland to further purify the water. By preventing runoff from leaving the farm, we are able to leave the water cleaner than when it came on to our farm. We also prioritize soil water holding capacity by deepening our topsoil and subsoil, leading to increased drought tolerance, flood resistance, and erosion prevention, decreasing our need for irrigation and minimizing our impact on local water systems during significant rain/drought events.