Joshua C. Ernst is a seventh generation family farmer at Ernst Grain and Livestock in Clear Spring , Maryland .
He began sell non - GMO feeds in 2014 after descry a little but growing demand for mellow - quality farm provender . Four years afterwards , Ernst launchedHomestead Harvest , a long suit feed venture .
Homestead Harvest camp itschicken , fuzz , moo-cow , goatandsheepblends with lifelike supplements and central essential oils . product also incorporate ingredients like kelp and black oil sunflowers .
We spoke to Ernst about the benefit of high - lineament feeds and the importance of sustainable exercise . We also talk over why cayenne pepper white pepper is bang-up for chickens .
The Roots Of Homestead Harvest
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“ We are husbandman ourselves and have had hogs on our farm since the early 1900s , ” excuse Ernst , when ask about how his interest in farm feed came about .
“ We had the equipment to make provender just for our own animals . We ’re metric grain granger as well , so we ’d rise our grain , process it and then bung it . ”
Much of the market for Ernst Grain and Livestock ’s pig bed number from purchaser at farmers grocery who are searching for pasturage - fed , non - GMO pork .
“ When customers started asking us for non - GMO - fed hogs , we change over to supply that demand , ” says Ernst . “ We view there ’s a demand for non - GMO feeds . It all started from there . ”
Farm Feed Or Pet Food?
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Ernst enjoin that he often recount customers “ we do n’t make feed — we make best-loved food . ”
He adds that many feed on the market are packed with by - product due to “ the intention of big - ag where price is everything to make a profit . ”
This has also create a comfortable niche for Homestead Harvest : “ There is n’t as big of a demand for high - calibre feed , but , for a farmer like me , it ’s kinda everything . ”
Chickens Love Cayenne Pepper
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If you browse through Homestead Harvest ’s feed , you might be surprised to see that chilli pepper pepper is added to their chicken feeds .
It ’s an addition that follow about after Ernst was speak to a client who was a chef . “ She kept requesting I add it to the feed , ” he say .
“ I did some research into it and discover that broiler fed cayenne pepper pepper would grow more effectively and that it avail increase lay rate .
“ fit in to the feed accessory company I work with , cayenne pepper peppercorn also has anti - inflammatory , anti - allergen , anti - fungous and anti - irritant dimension . And it is also a source of vitamin . ”
Goats And Black Oil Sunflowers
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A primal ingredient in Homestead Harvest ’s goat feed is disgraceful oil sunflowers . Again , this add up about after Ernst react to a client requirement for it .
“ Black oil sunflowers help make the goat ’s coat shiny , ” he read . “ I often have customers secernate me what they want . And I start working with them to get feedback . ”
The Benefits Of Oregano In Feed
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Ernst says that Origanum vulgare is a fundamental factor in many of his feeds .
“ That ’s one of the main substantive petroleum that are added to feed , ” he explains , before mentioning that university research has evince “ it ’s effective and increases emergence rates . ”
Keeping Feed Sustainable to Stay Profitable
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The history of Ernst Grain and Livestock take a commitment to sustainable practice . The farm was the first in Maryland to be awarded Certified Agricultural Conservation Stewardship position in 2010 .
“ We ’ve find that when you take upkeep of the soil and seek to be more sustainable , it ’s also good for our farm from a profitability stand , ” explains Ernst . “ When the soil is healthier , you get more crop and there ’s more earnings margin . We look at it that way , too . ”
