McIntyre Pastures

Since 1910, when the Deer Flat reservoir project opened land for sale, a dedicated farming family has been nurturing their land just outside of Caldwell. Over the decades, they have weathered many changes and challenges, yet their commitment to preserving their way of life has remained steadfast.

In the early days, the farm was a diverse operation managed by the family’s grandpa. He ran a small dairy, raised hogs, and cultivated watermelons, seed crops, and hay. However, the landscape of farming evolved, particularly during the agricultural crisis of the 1980s, leading to a shift towards more conventional row crops and practices.

Over the past 15 years, the family has made concerted efforts to revert their farming practices to be more in harmony with nature. By embracing no-till farming, planting cover crops, and adopting rotational animal grazing, they have brought their operations full circle, echoing the diversified practices of their grandpa’s era. Their land now supports multiple species of animals, seed crops, sweet corn, and forages, reminiscent of the farm’s origins.

Today, the farm is firmly rooted in sustainable, pasture-based, and no-till farming practices. They offer a range of pasture-raised meats including pork, chicken, duck, and turkey, along with fresh eggs. Their grass-fed and finished beef is a highlight, and they also produce honey directly on their farm. The farm’s on-site store and website feature an array of products, such as organic produce, raw dairy, seasonings, snacks, granola, apparel, soaps, local apple cider vinegar, granolas, tallow products, and more.

The family grows all the forage crops and grasses that their animals graze on and cultivates a significant portion of the ingredients for their animal feed, including sunflower, triticale, teff, and barley. They also produce and sell cover crop seeds, pasture mixes, hay, grass hay, and straw. This dedication to sustainable and diversified farming practices not only honors their legacy but also provides a wide variety of high-quality, locally-sourced products to their community.