Crowdsourced meat is becoming more popular across the country, and while it’s definitely tough to get your head around the idea of buying half a cow – at least at first – this may be the best way we’ve found to buy local, grass-fed beef.

There are several models for crowdsourcing meat, including traditional CSAs, where people buy into animals before they’ve even been raised, and share-buying, where an individual or a group of individuals can buy shares of an animal that has already been raised and is ready to harvest.

But gaining access to crowdsourced meat can sometimes feel like trying to join a secret club. Farmers will often contact the previous year’s buyers to see if they want to buy into this year’s livestock, and if you’re not on the list, it may seem like you’re out of luck.

That said, there are a few ways you can find out about local farmers offering meat shares. Talking to meat purveyors at a farmer’s market is a great option, and even your local butcher shop can be a good resource, if you know that they buy locally.

There are also websites that allow you to get in on the goods, like Local Harvest, which allows farmers to advertise meat shares becoming available, or Crowd Cow, a West Coast-based company that allows foodies to pool to purchase a cow and even have the cuts delivered right to their doors.

“There’s been a real increase in small farmers who want to raise animals in a way that isn’t industrial and then are faced with the challenge of trying to find buyers for those animals,” explains Camas Davis, founder of the Portland Meat Collective.

But if supporting these farmers isn’t a good enough reason to get in on the meat share trend, here are three very good motivations for choosing to crowdsource your steak.

1. Pay less for great meat.

One of the best reasons to go with a crowdsourcing model for meat is the price. While buying shares in a whole animal likely won’t compete with the price of conventional meat, it’s much better than what you’ll find at your local organic supermarket or even farmers market.

“You’re essentially paying one price per pound for every single type of cut,” explains Davis. “Whereas if you go to a butcher shop or a meat counter, the people working behind the counter are pricing the cuts based on demand.”

In other words, with a crowdsourcing model, you pay the same price per pound of the animal’s hanging weight (after slaughter and evisceration), regardless of whether you’re getting tenderloin or flank steak.

2. Expand your horizons.

When you buy a quarter of a cow, you get everything: traditional muscle cuts, but also some pieces that you might have less familiarity with.

“Whether you want the offal, the fat, and the bones is up to you,” explains Davis. “But you’re still paying for it, so we always say, ‘Why not figure out how to use those cuts?’”

While it may take some trial and error, soon you’ll learn how to use not only steaks and roasts, but also liver, tripe, and even bone for homemade bone broth.

With some meat shares, you also get to communicate with a butcher, who will break down the animal for you according to your specifications, which means there’s a bit of a learning curve there as well.

“If you’re the kind of person who wants to be challenged in the kitchen or wants to learn new things, it’s a great way to sort of be forced to figure it out,” explains Davis.

3. Get to know awesome farmers.

One of the best reasons to opt for a meat share is to get closer to amazing farmers raising sustainable, grass-fed meat.

“Typically you’re buying directly from farmers,” explains Davis. “You can ask them directly how the animals were raised; you can probably go to the farm if you want to.”

Meeting farmers and talking to them about their methods will help you have added appreciation for the meat you’re consuming… and who knows? You might even gain access to top recipes from the pros.

Related on EcoSalon
The Green Plate: What Every Meat Eater Should Know About Humane Certifications
Eat Your Meat, and Feel Good About It Too
5 Reasons to Join a CSA Now

The post 3 Great Reasons to Crowdsource Your Next (Local, Grass-Fed Beef) Steak appeared first on EcoSalon.

From farm, to table.

The farm-to-table movement has been around for ages, even before locavore was named Word of the Year. But in recent years, it’s gained serious momentum, especially in urban areas. Yuppies are going vegetarian and joining CSAs, and it seems like everywhere you look there’s a new artisanal cheese maker or organic pomegranate purveyor.

But it’s one thing to hear about where your food comes from. It’s a whole other to see where it comes from. These photos of farms, farming, gardens, and crops showcase the beauty of agriculture, both here in the United States and abroad. Eat them up.

(above) Sussex County, New Jersey, USA

British Columbia, Canada

Washington, USA

Vinschgau, Italy

Pennsylvania, USA

Bourrou, France

Villach, Austria

Ross County, Ohio, USA

Oostzaan, The Netherlands

Oakland, California, USA

France

Hungary

Hesse, Germany

Wuppertal, Germany

San Rafael, California, USA

Astoria, Oregon, USA

Fowler, Indiana, USA

Shizuoka, Japan

Caledon, Ontario, Canada

United Kingdom

Vietnam

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Rushcutters Bay, Australia

Piketon, Ohio, USA

Japan

The Cotswolds, England

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Manthralaya, India

Ventura County, California, USA

Napa Valley, California

SEE ALSO:

40 Gorgeous Photos of Europe

40 Gorgeous Photos of North America

40 Gorgeous Photos of Latin America

40 Gorgeous Photos of Asia

40 Gorgeous Photos of Africa

25 Photos of Islands Threatened by Climate Change

25 Images of Female Adrenaline Seekers

40 Photos from Flea Markets Around the World

30 Gorgeous Photos of Winter Snowscapes

The post 30 Gorgeous Photos of Farming and Agriculture appeared first on EcoSalon.

Just in time for holiday shopping and gift giving: The Box is back!

Our exclusive EcoSalon shopping must-have, the curated eco product assortment known as The Box, is back, with the Holiday Food Box. We’re offering $500 worth of holiday eco-goodies for just $99 and these won’t last. That’s a guarantee.

Are you a food lover? Whether you love eating food, cooking it or just talking about it, this box is for you. It’s full of anything a foodie could ever want, from cookware to gourmet goods to shade-grown coffee, so be sure to snag one before they’re gone.

(If you do miss out this time around, our friends at The Daily Meal are hosting a giveaway for the last remaining Food Box standing. Head on over to their site and register to win!)

Just look at what we have in store for you this time around:

Slate Cheese Board

Serve up a round of artisan cheeses on this simple and functional Slate Cheese Board from VivaTerra. Chalk lets you introduce guests to new cheeses with style. And don’t think this board is reserved for cheese only; the modern design makes it the perfect serving platter for everything from charcuterie to chocolate, so get creative!

(Retail value of $69)

Mortar and pestle

Made from 100% organically-grown bamboo, this bamboo mortar and pestle from Core Bamboo will brighten up any kitchen. Now you’ll be able to make handmade pesto, crush mint for your mojitos and grind together fresh herbs for garnish. Unstoppable, mama.

(Retail value of $37.50)

2 pounds of coffee from Coffee CSA

Now that you get your kale, chard and carrots thanks to a C.S.A., why not your coffee? Coffee CSA makes sure that you get the best selection of coffee directly from small-scale farms. No middlemen, just farmers and people like you who love great coffee. You’ll get two pounds of fresh-roasted premium coffee delivered right to your doorstep.

(Retail value of $29.98 – $32.98, depending on the coffee farmer selected.)

Bamboo Bottle Company Reusable Bottle

This isn’t your your mother’s water bottle. With a unique design that uses bamboo and glass, Bamboo Bottle Company has created a bottle that will not only keep you far, far away from disposables, but you can fill it with hot and cold drinks alike, meaning you can go from coffee in the morning to water in the afternoon. The glass interior is removable and dishwasher safe so keeping your bottle clean is easy. Cheers!

(Retail value of $25.00)

Wei of Chocolate

We all know that chocolate makes us feel better, but Wei of Chocolate just might go above and beyond your normal cocoa expectations. Wei Relaxed dark chocolate is organic, fair trade, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, 68% cacao, and enhanced with flower essences that work to calm & relax the mind and help you sleep better at night. Who knew chocolate could do so much?

(Retail value of $11.00)

Night Owl Paper Goods Recipe Card Books

Keep all your recipes in one place with this cute recipe card book from Night Owl Paper Goods. 24 recipe cards printed on a letterpress are held inside a sustainably-harvested birch wood cover, and with a self-standing easel is easy enough to prop up when you’re in the midst of your culinary creations.

(Retail value of $26.00)

D.I.Y. Delicious by Vanessa Barrington

If you follow EcoSalon’s food section, we’re pretty sure you’re fans of homemade food. Cooking from scratch not only puts good food on the table, but it allows you to experiment. EcoSalon’s very own food columnist, Vanessa Barrington, leads the way through the homemade cooking process in her book D.I.Y. Delicious, full of new explorations – ever made yogurt? – and simple solutions to the question, “Can’t I make that myself?”

(Retail value of $24.95)

Recipes Every Man Should Know by Susan Russo

There are just some things men should know how to do. Cooking is certainly one of them. Here’s the perfect gift for your husband/boyfriend/lover/brother/nephew/next door neighbor, because every man should know a thing or two in the kitchen. Penned by one of our favorite food bloggers, Susan Russo, this is the down and dirty guide for ensuring that a man can easily navigate the wide world of food. Fingers crossed you get to reap the benefits!

(Retail value of $9.95)

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea Hazelnut Chai

Making tea is an art, and Zhena’s Gypsy Tea does it well. 100% organic and 100% Fair-Trade certified, this container of 22 sachets of Hazelnut Chai is sure to become your winter favorite. Think of it as a hazelnut torte, turned into a tea. Brew a batch and within minutes your house will be smelling of cinnamon, ginger and vanilla.

(Retail value of $9.95)

Fat Toad Farm Caramel Sauce

If ever there were a sauce you’d want to put on everything, this is it. Made from organic goat’s milk, Fat Toad Farm’s caramel sauce is creamy, rich and flat-out amazing. A family farm, Fat Toad’s 47 milking does are pasture-raised, their milk used for making cheese and caramel, or cajeta. Because this form of caramel is primarily dairy based, it’s creamier and less sweet than standard caramel sauces. Be careful not to down the entire jar on one apple.

(Retail value of $12.00)

Twig Servers

A gorgeously prepped salad should have equally gorgeous serving utensils, and these Twig Servers from VivaTerra are just what you need. Nature-inspired, they’re a chic complement to an organic meal, and their design makes them fit perfectly in your hands. Now it’s just up to you to serve up a mean bowl of greens.

(Retail value of $45)

Innate Gear Doppio

Espresso, wine, whisky; this reusable mug from Innate Gear does it all. Throw it in your bag and you’ll always have something to put your afternoon Americano in, even if you’re on the go. And it’s called a Doppio. Which is just adorable.

(Retail value of $9)

Bambu On the Go Reusable Utensils

Aspenware Compostable Cutlery  

Spring and summer picnics are a ways away, but you’ll be well prepared with two sets of Aspenware compostable cutlery. With four spoons, forks and knives in each set, you’ll be able to outfit an army. Or at least all your eco-friendly friends.

(Retail value of $2.99 per pack)

Full Circle Ring Veggie Brush

Scrub your veggies clean with this Ring Veggie Brush from Full Circle. Made from bamboo and natural and recycled plastic bristles, it’s an ergonomic dream and will also ensure that your veggies have that fresh look even after the supermarket wax has been scraped away.

(Retail value of $4.49)

Architec Mixing Bowls

If you’re cooking organic, shouldn’t your kitchenware be just as environmentally conscious? These stacking mixing bowls from Architec are the perfect plastic alternative. Made from 98% natural and recycled materials, the two, three and four quart set will satisfy all your baking needs. We foresee a delicious batch of chocolate chip cookies already.

(Retail value of $29.99)

Epicurean Cutting Board

Slice and dice in style with this 12″ x 9″ EcoPlastic cutting board from Epicurean. Not only is this board made from recycled poly, but it’s also made in the USA, ensuring you can chop your vegetables with a good conscience.

(Retail value of $19.99)

Lodestar Garlic Olive Oil

If you’re attending any good dinner parties in the next few weeks this Lodestar Farms Garlic Olive Oil from Greenfeet makes the perfect hostess gift. This award winning olive oil is made with sustainably harvested olives in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and can be used for everything from dressings to dipping.

(Retail value of $13.95)

Stainless Steel Robot Tea Infuser

Steep your evening cup of tea in this fun, Stainless Steel Robot Tea Infuser from Greenfeet. The arms and feet move to fit your favorite tea mug. In need of more fun eco-friendly kitchen products? Check out the rest of the Greenfeet site for a wide selection of culinary goods.

(Retail value of $8.95)

Navitas Naturals Power Snacks

Power up with one of these Power Snacks from Navitas Natural. This isn’t your average trail mix; superfoods are the name of the game in these snack mixes, which feature cacao, maca, chia, and camu-camu. Easy to pack, they’re perfect for staying energized while you’re traveling this holiday season. Plus they’re raw and organic, which should please anyone looking for an on-the-go natural boost.

(Retail value of $8.99)

Bird Salt and Pepper Shakers

These whimsical salt and pepper shakers from VivaTerra will bring a smile to any guest at your table. And if you don’t want them for your own home, they make a beautiful gift for any bird lover in your crew.

(Retail value of $25)

To buy:

We’re sorry, this Box edition has sold out! Check out the other available options – they’re pretty fabulous, too.

The post The Holiday Food Box: Because Everyone Loves Food Edition! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Your iPod can run off the grid with this solar powered iPod Case Charger.

Give someone Wheels When They Need Them with a ZipCar membership.

Great for hot and cold beverages, this tumbler will save a lot of trees and CO2 used to produce coffee cups. To emphasize your point, toss in a gold tone coffee filter to cut down on the paper ones that get pitched each day.

Your favorite tea lover can brew on the run with this combination tumbler-infuser.

Green those meals with a CSA Membership (Community Supported Agriculture). This site will find the closet farm throughout the U.S. for you to purchase from.

Rid friends and family of energy vampires with the Smart Strip Power Strip.

Power small electronics like a GPS or cell phone, with the Solio Solar Universal Charger.

Get your colleagues to ditch the plastic utensils in the office kitchen with reusable bamboo tableware that works great on the go. Utensil holders give plastic bottles a second shot at a useful life, and an opportunity to stay out of our landfills. Made out of RPET (recycled PET plastic).

Chico has taken the reusable shopping bag one step farther with The Messenger, a super hip bag that folds into a small pouch.

Instead of a gift card to the local mall, try the gift that keeps on giving with Microplace.com, a Microfinance organization that serves a range of focuses from Fair Trade to women.

Main image: alan_cleaver2000

The post From Cheap to Chic, 10 Holiday Gifts That Respect the Earth appeared first on EcoSalon.