Blog - Wild Meadows Farm Ltd.

Choosing Inefficiency: Thoughts on AI in Farming, and in the Future

A few weeks ago, I joined a call with a group of regenerative and direct marketing farmers from across the country. One topic that came up has been sitting with me ever since: how farmers are starting to use artificial intelligence (AI) in their operations and marketing. The general feeling on the call was clear. Like it or not, the world is changing. If you don’t embrace AI, you risk being left behind. The Growing Role of AI in Farming Several farmers shared how they’ve begun using trained AI tools to help write newsletters, blog posts, and marketing materials. With some initial input, the software can learn your tone and writing style. It can even mimic your thought patterns and create content in your voice. I’ll admit, the idea is tempting. I genuinely enjoy writing our weekly newsletters and sharing updates with our customers. It helps me connect with the people who support what we do. But the truth is, it takes a lot of time and effort. On a busy farm, time is always in short supply. The idea of having a tool that could help with that? It’s appealing. At the same time, I have my reservations. Writing Means Something More For me, writing is not just a task to check off the list. It’s how I reflect, work through ideas, and stay grounded in what matters. It’s personal. I understand that AI can assist with the writing process. In many ways, it’s just another tool. But I can’t help but wonder what’s lost when we rely on a tool to do that kind of thinking for us. I worry that something essential gets dulled in the process, something human. That’s not the direction I want to go. Maybe that puts me at a disadvantage. Maybe I’ll be seen as outdated. If that’s the case, so be it. I choose inefficiency. A Memory from My Grandfather This conversation about AI reminded me of something my grandfather said about 20 years ago. We were driving down a rural road when we saw a massive combine moving through the fields. He shook his head and said it represented the destruction of the family farm. At the time, I disagreed with him. I was in my twenties and fresh out of university. I believed we needed to feed more people, and that meant becoming more efficient. Now I can see that both of us were right, depending on how you look at it. The Price of Efficiency If the goal is simply to produce more food using fewer resources, then my grandfather was wrong. Large equipment, genetically modified crops, pesticides, herbicides, and expansive monocultures all contribute to higher output. These tools and techniques have made it possible to feed a growing population, many of whom have little connection to how their food is grown. Most people don’t want to work in the fields or butcher shops. In that context, efficiency is necessary. Compared to even 20 years ago, we can now grow more food per acre with fewer hands involved. Go back 100 years, and the difference is even more dramatic. We’ve made a trade. In exchange for more and cheaper food, we’ve given up a lot. We’ve lost farmers, rural communities, traditional knowledge, and our connection to food systems. If you look at it that way, my grandfather was right after all. Why Our Farm Shouldn’t Exist The truth is, if efficiency was the only thing that mattered, farms like ours wouldn’t exist. It would be far more efficient to raise our animals in confined barns or feedlots. It would cost less, take less time, and simplify a lot of our operations. But we’ve chosen a different path. We raise our chickens, pigs, and cows on pasture. It’s less efficient, yes. It requires more work and time. It doesn’t scale the way industrial farming does. But the results speak for themselves. We offer our customers the best meat we can, from animals that have lived healthy, low-stress lives outdoors. We do it without massive loans or multi-million dollar barns and machinery. We’re still running a successful business, but we’re doing it on different terms. When Inefficiency Becomes a Strength Some people don’t understand why we farm this way. They see our higher prices and laugh at our “inefficiencies.” They say, “You can’t feed the world like that.” But they don’t always see the full picture. Our approach might not be efficient by their standards, but we are feeding ourselves and our community in a way that aligns with our values. We are producing nutrient-dense food, protecting the health of our land, and remaining financially sustainable without being tied to debt-heavy systems. There are always trade-offs, but we believe this is the right one. The Link Between AI and Industrial Farming In some ways, the conversation about AI mirrors the one we’ve been having about agriculture for decades. There will always be people who adopt the latest technology to increase output and cut costs. That’s part of progress. But there will also be people who choose a different path. They value quality over quantity, connection over convenience, and principles over productivity. Just as regenerative agriculture has emerged in response to the shortfalls of industrial food systems, maybe a more mindful use of AI will emerge as well. Maybe there’s room for both. Maybe there has to be. Why I Still Choose to Stay Human If you’ve made it this far, thank you. I know this wasn’t written by an algorithm. I sat down and wrote it myself, even though it took more time than it probably needed to. For me, that time was worth it. AI will continue to grow and change the way we live. That’s not necessarily bad. But in a world rushing to optimize and automate, there’s something powerful about choosing to stay human. Sometimes, the “inefficient” way is what keeps us rooted in what matters most.

The Importance of Farm-toTable in our Food System

At Wild Meadows Farm, we believe food should nourish, not just fill a plate. In today’s world, many families rely on supermarkets because that’s what’s accessible and convenient. But the reality is, those store shelves don’t always offer the healthiest options. That’s why we’re committed to making nutrient-rich, ethically raised food available to more people through simple, online farm-to-table shopping and delivery across Ontario. Healthier Choices, Delivered When you choose farm-to-table, you’re getting products that are fresher, cleaner, and raised with care. Our pasture-raised meats are free from GMOs, antibiotics, and hormones – foods you can feel good about feeding your family. For many of our customers, switching to farm-direct food has meant: Fewer processed items in the kitchenBetter energy and digestionMore confidence in the quality of what’s on their plate The difference in taste and nutrition is something you’ll notice right away. Access for Those With Limited Options We understand that not everyone can make it to a farmers’ market or live near a health food store. That’s why we bring the farm to you. If you rely on supermarkets but want a better alternative, our delivery service opens up access to food that’s typically out of reach. Whether you’re in a high-rise in a large city, a small town, or somewhere in between, we make it possible to enjoy clean, local food without compromise. Food You Can Trust Knowing how your food was raised matters. Our customers want transparency and integrity in their food choices. By buying directly from our farm, you skip the middlemen and mass-produced supply chains. You know exactly where your food comes from, and that it was produced responsibly, both for your health and for the planet. Supporting a More Sustainable Food System When you shop with us, you’re not just buying food, you’re backing a system that values regenerative farming, animal welfare, rural economies, and environmental stewardship. Every order helps support small-scale local agriculture and brings us all closer to a more sustainable and ethical way of eating. We believe that healthy, ethically raised food shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be a choice available to everyone. With online farm-to-table shopping, that’s now a reality for more families across Ontario. Thanks for following along, and have a great week ahead!

Regenerative Agriculture is More Than a Buzz Word

As regenerative agriculture becomes more popular, the term is starting to lose some of its original meaning. Companies like Walmart, General Mills, and PepsiCo are now using it (see a related article here). What was once a grassroots approach focused on soil health, biodiversity, and community is now becoming part of corporate sustainability language. Now, is it a good thing that big brands are embracing regenerative agriculture? Absolutely. More awareness about how food is produced and how it affects the environment is always positive. However, what we mean by regenerative and what Walmart means by it are likely very different. Frankly, regenerative agriculture has much more potential than being used as a tool for carbon offsets or surface-level sustainability claims. Regenerative Agriculture as We See It To us, regenerative agriculture is about the whole picture – the land, the animals, the people growing the food, and the people eating it. Everyone is connected. It’s a system where every part supports the others, and success depends on that balance. That’s why we focus on four key areas that we believe define what regenerative agriculture is really all about. Regenerating the Land It all starts with the land. Regenerative agriculture means restoring soil health and supporting natural ecosystems. For us, this includes: Reintroducing animals to pastureUsing rotational grazing to mimic natural movementAvoiding harmful chemicalsEncouraging biodiversity to rebuild the ecosystem When we take care of the land, it can begin to heal. Over time, it doesn’t just sustain life, it provides abundance for generations to come. Respecting the Animals In a regenerative system, animals are not just commodities. They are living beings with an important role in the overall health of the land. While it’s true that most animals in this system will go on to nourish others, we believe their lives should be respected and valued along the way. That means: Creating low-stress, natural environmentsEncouraging natural behavioursEnsuring dignity and humane treatment from beginning to end By caring for the animals, we’re supporting the health of the land, the people who raise them, and the customers who depend on them. Supporting the Farmer As a farmer and as someone who works closely with others in our local farming community, I can speak to how important and impactful it is to be able to make a living doing this work. Industrial agriculture is often focused on: ConsolidationAutomationEfficiency - usually at the expense of the farmer Meanwhile, profits increase for large retailers and investors, while farmers are being squeezed out. For regenerative agriculture to truly work, it has to support the people doing the work. This means recognizing that farmers provide an essential service to their communities. They need to be well, sharp, and supported, because when things go wrong, the impact is real, and it ripples out to everyone they serve. Nourishing the Customer At the centre of it all is you, the person who eats the food. You are the reason this system works. Your choices support: Healthy soil and ecosystemsEthical animal careFarmers earning a fair livingYour own health and the well-being of your family When you choose regeneratively raised food, you’re not just buying a product; you’re taking part in something larger. You’re helping create a food system built on values that nourish the planet and people alike. A System Rooted in Care So yes, it’s encouraging to see more attention on regenerative agriculture. But we believe it’s important to keep the focus on what really matters, not just catchy terms or carbon credits, but real care for land, animals, farmers, and customers. To us, regenerative agriculture is about connection. It’s not a quick fix. It’s a long-term approach that restores relationships with nature, with food, and with each other. Thanks for following along. We appreciate you taking the time!

Why We Do Pasture Raised Chicken Without the Gimmicks

Like any business, we pay close attention to what other farms and companies selling regeneratively raised meat directly to consumers are doing, especially their marketing. I’ll admit, some of the offers out there make me uneasy. “Free bacon for life!” “Get 25% off your first four orders!” “Get a free freezer!” Every time I see one of those promotions, my mental calculator starts running. How can that possibly add up? My gut instinct always says this isn’t something we want to do. However, when everyone else seems to be doing it, I sometimes wonder if we are missing out on an opportunity. Learning from Other Regenerative Farms A few months ago, I spent a couple of days off the farm to attend a course in the U.S. hosted by a farm we’ve followed closely since 2019. They are much further along in their direct-to-consumer meat business. They are growing quickly and have solved many of the challenges farms our size face. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from their experiences, tour their operation, and meet other passionate farmers from across the country. Everyone there was diving headfirst into this business with the same energy and curiosity. One of the main topics covered was customer acquisition strategies, including advertising, subscription programs, and paid promotions. I went into this part of the course curious but skeptical. After all, the success of our business depends on how many people find us and choose to buy our products. Growing Without Paid Advertising We feel incredibly grateful to have grown to this point with an advertising budget of essentially $0. The only exception was a few experimental Facebook ads back in 2019. I believe that happened for a few key reasons: Good timing: We were ready for growth in early 2020, just as people began thinking more deeply about where their food comes from. Active communication: From 2020 to 2023, we stayed consistent on social media and through our newsletter. Amazing customers: You have shared our story, our mission, and our products with your friends and family. That word-of-mouth support means everything.Before the course, I had one big question: Should we start advertising or offer incentives to attract new customers? Have we maxed out the word-of-mouth approach? The short answer is no. Here is why… Why We’re Not Offering Flashy Deals or “Free” Products The biggest reason is cost. Paid advertising and giveaway programs always come at a price, and that cost eventually reaches you, the customer. Our course hosts explained that customer acquisition costs, such as ads, influencer partnerships, and “free” products, must be built into pricing models. Those enticing deals are not truly free. The money has to come from somewhere. As a result, we would rather keep our pasture-raised meats fairly priced and transparent. We do not want to inflate our prices just to fund promotions that mainly benefit first-time buyers. Sustainable Growth Matters Running and expanding a regenerative farm business is complex. We raise animals, work with butchers, manage storage, and handle distribution. Growing too fast could compromise the care and attention that define what we do. Because of that, we are committed to steady, sustainable growth. This approach maintains quality, supports our team and partner farms, and allows us to deliver the best possible food to you. Unlike typical e-commerce products, pasture-raised proteins are not widgets. Many business strategies that work in other industries simply do not fit farming. Margins are tight, and supply depends on animals, soil health, and weather, not algorithms. Staying True to Our Values Some might say we are missing a business opportunity. Maybe. However, we would rather keep our prices as low as possible, maintain exceptional quality, and build a business that supports our family, team, partner farms, and loyal customers, past, present, and future. We will continue to grow organically, through authentic connections and word of mouth, instead of relying on gimmicks or “too good to be true” offers. In the long run, this approach feels more honest and sustainable. To everyone who has followed our journey, purchased our products, and shared our story, thank you. Your support allows us to keep doing what we love: raising healthy animals on regenerative pastures and delivering ethically raised meat you can trust. It might be a slower and more complex way to grow, but it is the right way for us. In return, it brings you the most value and integrity possible.

Agriculture and Climate Change: A Farmer's Perspective

The discussion around agriculture and climate change has been ramping up over the past few years. While there have been pressures on agriculture to change and reduce "emissions" leading up to this phase, there is an increasing tension with more and more calls to make drastic changes. To get a sense of the rhetoric around the issue, take a listen to John Kerry's speech at The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) Summit. It starts at around the 21 minutes mark and is about 22 minutes long.For a few examples of where this type of rhetoric can go, take a look at the Netherlands, where farmers are being offered 120% of their farms value to sell. Sounds pretty good, but the catch is that if they don't accept, they will be forced to sell in addition they aren't "allowed" to start up farms anywhere in the EU. There is also a push in Ireland to cull huge numbers of cows to achieve climate targets.Kerry laments that agriculture causes about 33% of the worlds "emissions", but according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change agriculture generates 10% to 12% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, with packaging, transportation, and waste management generating the remainder."We can't get to net-zero, we don't get this job done unless agriculture is front and center as part of the solution. So all of us understand here the depths of this mission." ... "lives depend on world leaders and scientists developing the tools necessary to lower agriculture emissions.... I refuse to call it climate change anymore. It's not change. It's a crisis."He discusses how many deaths are currently caused by a changing climate and how many are estimated in the future if we don't do something. It really pulls at your heart strings. Hopefully Mr. Kerry is also giving speeches at military conferences discussing how many lives could be saved and how much carbon wouldn't be emitted by curbing military involvement or arms sales in however many countries they currently operate in/sell to.I'm not necessarily against progress or technology in agriculture, but I am certainly pessimistic. I think it is inevitable and could be a powerful way to produce more food in ways that will hopefully have less impact on our environment and more of a positive impact on the people it feeds. When I say that, I don't mean simply it will emit less carbon, I mean from a holistic standpoint, if new technology can use fewer chemicals, focus on soil health and produce food that nourishes (and not simply feeds), then that is great. That said, I think without a nuanced approach towards agriculture, one that is not solely dependent on technology, focuses exclusively on "emissions" and calories produced, our food systems (which will corelate to our health) will eventually go the way of many other professions and industries - a heavily regulated monolith with ever increasing farm sizes, profit driven policies and little opportunity for young people or choice for the consumer.The solutions that many people talk about regarding innovation in the food sector are technology based. They will require huge investment and capital, which will inevitably lead to fewer and fewer people responsible for food production and greater control by those who control the money.The interesting thing, and in my opinion a huge flaw in their argument (and tell that they aren't sincere in their concern), is that the cow (a truly amazing beast) is a target. Because cows produce methane, the conclusion of the "scientists" and spreadsheet gurus is that we must reduce the number of cows. Pretty cut and dry, except like most things there is nuance. A great explanation on how the methane cows "emit" is actually part of a natural cycle can be found here and the movie Sacred Cow is a great watch regarding our food systems and the benefit that cows and other ruminants can have to our health and environment.Another thing to consider is that while many agricultural systems and new "food" technologies like fake meat are scalable and can be technology driven, the cow isn't that simple. Even if those cows end up in a feedlot that can be mechanized and seem like an assembly line, they were born on a farm somewhere, nursing on their mother and eating grass for several months. They haven't figured out how simulate this at scale or cost effectively and I don't think they can. There are some things that technology and human ingenuity can't do (I hope). They can create factories where pork or chicken come out the back end, but they can't do it with beef.In my opinion, if they actually wanted to remove carbon from the atmosphere effectively, they would engage with regenerative farmers, agroforestry experts and ecologist on how to work with nature, sequester carbon in the soils and trees and produce high quality food. This could employ millions of people, improve the environment (in countless ways far beyond removing carbon from the atmosphere), produce superior food (and therefore a healthier population) and change the trajectory of our society. This would build resiliency into our systems as well, rather than simply (and arrogantly) trying to prevent changes to our climate.Instead they look for solutions in the same place they found the problem. More technology, more control and more shaming of anyone who speaks up or asks questions.The solution is in your back yard, in your neighborhood and in your community."Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience" C.S. Lewis

Fungi growing from a cow pie

Fungi growing out of a cow pie. One of the best things about life on the farm is to be able to observe the complexity and beauty of nature - to slow down and observe is truly a blessing. The nutrients, carbon, bacteria and everything else associated with that cow pie provides life and a whole ecosystem for mushrooms, bugs, worms, grass and microbes - and in turn those things will all provide life for something else. The cow, simply by being a cow, provides an ecosystem and source of life while it exists on our pastures and will eventually go to provide life for you and me. And even you and I, will eventually go on to provide life for mushrooms, bugs, worms, grass, microbes and many other things. Regardless if you believe today's rhetoric around carbon, the idea that we need to reduce animal agriculture is short sighted and misleading, and that cow pie and the fungi growing in it can give you a hint as to why. The "science" states that animal agriculture pollutes and contributes to climate change; however, this assessment (flawed or not) is based on an unnatural system that is obviously out of balance. For many years "the science" and the large corporations funding it, has taken the complexity and beauty of nature out of our food system and replaced it with synthetic inputs and a factory like efficiency. It has taken the soil, once rich and our source of nutrition, and turned it into a substrate to which we add genetically modified seed and chemicals to grow our food. This is a result of a reductionist approach where food quantity was the goal, while quality and the long term sustainability of this system were not factored in. All of this is to not to say that farmers themselves are not doing the best they can and have ill intentions, they are merely doing what is asked of them. We have destroyed the soils microbiome as we watch our health (and our own microbiomes) deteriorate, and are unable, or perhaps unwilling, to connect the dots. Likewise, to address our declining health, we have developed synthetic inputs and a factory like efficiency to provide temporary fixes. We treat ourselves as we treat our soil - relying on artificial (and highly profitable) inputs, experts and the system to keep it going, all the while becoming more and more unbalanced. “We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them” - Albert Einstein Removing animals with a linear and reductive view point of reducing carbon emissions, isolating different factors, but not considering the whole, isn't going to change anything. It is the same way of thinking that go us here and will simply perpetuate the problem. We need to return to balance, where we respect and work with nature. If we did not embrace the synthetic and factory like approach to food production that has got us here, would we be having these discussions? What if instead of relying on the same approach that got us here, we have some humility and admit to ourselves that science is a tool to understand the world around us and not a tool to change the world around us. The fungi and other organisms extracting life from the cow pie, and us and our customers nourishing ourselves from the beef that that cow will eventually provide are all participating in a natural cycle that mimics nature. Carbon will be "emitted" and carbon will be sequestered and life will thrive. I would prefer to work with nature than to alter it in the arrogant belief that we can do better.

Miles

This is a guest post from our new employee (she has been with us for about one month). It is about her perspective of one of the new calves born this year, which has required a lot of hands on care to help him along. The majority of the calves born on our farm require little to no extra care - their mothers are able to birth, feed and care for the little one without our help, but there are always a few that need more help. This is a story about one of the ones that needed more help - Miles