Brookside Farm
Sharon Sycoff
Gardiner, NY (Ulster County)
Products:
Organic chicken and eggs, pork, beef and goat meat
Brookside Farm, a 169-acre farm in the Shawangunk Valley, is family owned and operated by Sharon and ? Sycoff. Since (year?), they have been dedicated to the production of healthy, delicious food using old fashioned farming techniques, without the use of hormones, antibiotics or pesticides.
They go beyond organic, by incorporating intensive grazing methods (daily rotation to fresh pasture). To assure quality grass-fed beef, their Angus cows are moved to fresh pasture every day during the grazing season. Their chickens are free-range and when they are in the coop it is a mobile one so they can be easily moved to a new area daily and their pastured pigs are fed a ration of 100% organic grain. Their goal is to provide a gourmet quality, healthy alternative to industrialized food.
Husbandry skills are key to keeping animals healthy, happy and producing a gourmet product. To that end the daily rotation to fresh pasture, the organic mineral supplements and the North Atlantic Sea Kelp all support a healthy environment and immune system that allow us to forego the use of antibiotics. Additionally in the case of cows most feed lots administer antibiotics as part of the cows daily life, to prevent disease that’s caused by their diet of corn and the confined living conditions. Cows are ruminants and their multiple stomachs were never intended to consume corn. They are specifically designed to digest grasses and legumes found in pastures.
The Brookside Farm Store, is open on weekends and will soon be serving prepared ready-to-heat meals, chicken salad, egg salad and much more! New is "The Side Shack," a concession stand that will sell burgers, hot dogs, rotisserie chicken, ice cream and more. They are located about an hour north, just minutes from both Interstate 84 and the New York State Thruway (I-87). They welcome your visit to their farm and while you are there, pick up some organic eggs, chicken and pork and beef products.
They go beyond organic, by incorporating intensive grazing methods (daily rotation to fresh pasture). To assure quality grass-fed beef, their Angus cows are moved to fresh pasture every day during the grazing season. Their chickens are free-range and when they are in the coop it is a mobile one so they can be easily moved to a new area daily and their pastured pigs are fed a ration of 100% organic grain. Their goal is to provide a gourmet quality, healthy alternative to industrialized food.
Husbandry skills are key to keeping animals healthy, happy and producing a gourmet product. To that end the daily rotation to fresh pasture, the organic mineral supplements and the North Atlantic Sea Kelp all support a healthy environment and immune system that allow us to forego the use of antibiotics. Additionally in the case of cows most feed lots administer antibiotics as part of the cows daily life, to prevent disease that’s caused by their diet of corn and the confined living conditions. Cows are ruminants and their multiple stomachs were never intended to consume corn. They are specifically designed to digest grasses and legumes found in pastures.
- Meat from grass-fed beef, bison, lamb and goats has less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories.
- Research shows that lean beef actually lowers your "bad" LDL cholesterol levels.
- Extra Omega-3s. Meat from grass-fed animals has two to four times more omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain- fed animals.
- Eggs from hens raised outdoors on pasture have from three to six times more vitamin D than eggs from hens raised in confinement.
- People who are exposed to farm chemicals have a much greater rate of Parkinson’s Disease, according to recent studies. Whether they are farm workers who are applying the chemicals or people who happen to live nearby.
- Eggs from free-range hens are higher in folic acid and vitamin B12
The Brookside Farm Store, is open on weekends and will soon be serving prepared ready-to-heat meals, chicken salad, egg salad and much more! New is "The Side Shack," a concession stand that will sell burgers, hot dogs, rotisserie chicken, ice cream and more. They are located about an hour north, just minutes from both Interstate 84 and the New York State Thruway (I-87). They welcome your visit to their farm and while you are there, pick up some organic eggs, chicken and pork and beef products.
