Fresh Valley Farms is a fourth-generation farm in Armstrong, BC, raising Certified Organic pasture-raised pork, chicken, eggs, and 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
Meet the Farmers
Run by Steve Meggait and Annelise Grube-Cavers, the farm serves over 4,000 customers in the BC Interior through online orders and delivery around the region, offering year-round organic meats backed by transparency, strong environmental values, and a century of family stewardship.
Fresh Valley Farms
Fresh Valley Farms is a certified organic, regenerative livestock farm in Armstrong, British Columbia. For more than a century, this land has been cared for by the same family, with each generation building on the last. Today, we raise beef, pork, chicken, and eggs on pasture, guided by soil health, animal welfare, and a commitment to feeding our community well.
A century on the same land
Our farm began in 1923, when Bill Meggait purchased the original 154 acres for $6,000. Four generations of the Meggait family have worked this land since then. Many of the family members still live on the farm today, with the rhythms of grazing, haying, and chores anchoring each season.
Today, Steve and Annelise carry that legacy forward as the fourth generation farming here. Their two young children are already learning alongside them, becoming the fifth generation to care for this land.
How we farm
We use regenerative organic methods that support long-term ecological health. Our goal is simple: produce nutrient-dense, pasture-raised meats while improving the land every year. Our cows are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. Our poultry and swine are pasture raised and supplemented with certified organic locally-produced feed.
Certified Organic Farm in Armstrong
Fresh Valley Farms is Certified Organic through the BC Certified Organic Program (NOOA Cert #04-346).
The land has been managed without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for decades, but in 2020 we completed the transition to full certification to match our values and increase transparency for our customers.
All feed brought onto the farm is certified organic and is grown locally, reducing transport impacts and supporting nearby farmers.
Pasture-based livestock Systems
All animals on the farm have space to move, forage, explore, and express natural behaviours. Whether it is cattle grazing fresh strips of grass, pigs rooting in woodlands, or chickens scratching in open pasture, we design our systems around the needs of the animals and the health of the land.
We raise:
- Certified Organic 100% grass-fed and finished beef
- Certified Organic heritage pork
- Certified Organic pasture-raised chicken
- Certified Organic eggs from hens raised on organic pasture
Rotational grazing and land stewardship
Diverse pastures of forage, both planted and native, are our foundation. Healthy grasslands pull carbon into the soil, hold water, and support wildlife. Steve manages the cattle with an intensive rotational grazing system that keeps animals on fresh grass while protecting new growth.
This system includes:
- Perimeter fencing to protect large rotation blocks
- Tumble wheels and temporary fencing for fine-scale strip grazing
- Back-fencing to prevent animals from grazing regrowth
- Multiple water points to reduce walking stress and protect soil structure
- Access to forested areas for shade, browsing, and biodiversity
- No-till seeding of diverse forage species to build resilient pastures
The result is healthier soil, stronger perennial stands, and livestock that thrive on a natural diet.
Renewable energy on the farm
Fresh Valley Farms is powered in part by renewable energy generated right here on the land. We use solar power to offset on-farm electricity needs, including refrigeration, freezers, and daily operations that support our livestock and food storage. Producing energy on site helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lowers the overall footprint of our farming system.
Renewable energy fits naturally with our approach to regenerative agriculture. Just as we focus on building soil health, cycling nutrients, and using pasture to feed animals, we also look for ways to close energy loops and reduce external inputs. Solar power allows us to invest once and benefit for decades, creating long-term resilience for the farm.
This infrastructure supports practical farm needs while aligning with our values. Reliable, locally generated power helps keep food cold, operations efficient, and the farm more self-sufficient. It is one more way we work toward a farming system that respects land, animals, and future generations.
Regenerative agriculture at Fresh Valley Farms
Regenerative agriculture guides how we manage land, animals, and resources at Fresh Valley Farms. Our goal is not just to produce food, but to leave the soil, pastures, and ecosystems healthier each year than we found them. This approach focuses on working with natural systems rather than relying on heavy external inputs.
We use rotational grazing to move cattle, pigs, and poultry across pasture in planned sequences. Animals graze for short periods, then fields are rested to allow grasses and soil life to recover. This builds deeper root systems, improves water infiltration, increases organic matter, and supports a wide range of plants, insects, and wildlife. Manure is returned directly to the land where it feeds soil microbes and replaces synthetic fertilizers.
Over time, regenerative practices help our farm store more carbon in the soil, reduce erosion, and increase resilience to drought and extreme weather. Healthier soils grow healthier forage, which supports healthier animals and more nutritious food. Regenerative agriculture is not a single technique, but a long-term commitment to observation, adaptation, and stewardship, ensuring the farm remains productive and thriving for generations to come.
one-Stop Shop, Year Round for Sustainable Proteins
Order online anytime for pickup at one of our pickup locations. Pickups are offered in Vernon, Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, Penticton, Chase, and Nelson, along with weekly on-farm pickups in Armstrong.
With our online orders, you can also choose local home delivery to addresses in Armstrong, Vernon, and much of the surrounding areas.
You can also purchase select products in-person from one of our brick-and-mortar shop partners, including Mezzo Market in Vernon or at Pilgrims’ Produce’s Gumboots Farm Store in Armstrong-Spallumcheen.
Transparency, education, and community
We believe people deserve to know how their food is raised. That is why we share the day-to-day reality of farming through our website blog, email newsletter, social media, and on-farm conversations. On our annual or biannual Open Farm Days, many customers visit the farm to see the animals and learn about regenerative agriculture firsthand. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on when farm visits are available.
We like to share about:
- How our animals are raised
- Why soil health matters
- The challenges and joys of farming
- Recipes and cooking tips
- Updates from the field
We also treat transparency as a foundation for trust. Customers know what they are buying, how it is produced, and why our prices reflect the true cost of organic, ethical livestock farming.
Local leadership and advocacy
Owners Steve Meggait and Annelise Grube-Cavers are also active in strengthening the broader food system.
Steve volunteers on several agricultural committees and is a founding director of the Small Scale Meat Producers Association.
Annelise contributes to food systems research and serves as the Organic Sector Representative on the BC Agriculture Council.
Together, they work to improve policy, expand education, and support the growth of regenerative agriculture across British Columbia.
The Fresh Valley Farms guesthouse
The farm also offers a large guesthouse overlooking pastures and forest. Stays at the historic Mountain View Guesthouse often include farm tours, opportunities to learn about regenerative livestock systems, and optional “Homesteader Groceries” stocked with farm-raised food.
Our Farm Partners and Friends
Good food does not happen in isolation. Fresh Valley Farms works closely with a small group of trusted partner farms, artisan butchers, and technology providers who share our values around land stewardship, animal care, and transparency.
Our lamb comes from Robson Valley Sheep Co., where Hanni and Teres Gasser have raised grass-fed, grass-finished sheep on certified organic pasture since 1988. All of our red meat is processed by North Okanagan Butcher Hub, run by our longtime collaborator Matt, whose training began at Fresh Valley Farms and continues through his own specialized butchery. We work with Om Naturale to turn our organic lard into practical, beautiful soap, minimizing waste and providing diverse healthy products to our community.
We proudly recommend Inspired Bread and Wild Flight Farms, organic producers we sell alongside at the All-Organic Farmers’ Market in Salmon Arm, whose bread and vegetables complement our meats perfectly. Behind the scenes, we also rely on agro-tech partners like UKKÖ Robotics and Gallagher to support precision livestock management and rotational grazing. Together, these partnerships strengthen our farm and help build a more resilient, local food system.
We also work with nonprofit farm groups that help keep local agriculture strong. We stay involved with the North Okanagan Organic Association, Organic BC, and the BC Agriculture Council to support certified organic standards, farmer education, and a healthy food system in British Columbia. We also partner with the Small Scale Meat Producers Association and Young Agrarians to support practical training, fair policy, and better access for new and small farms across the province.
Stay connected
To follow along with farm life, new products, and cooking inspiration, connect with us here:
Instagram: @freshvalleyfarms
Facebook: facebook.com/freshvalleyfarms
Email Newsletter: Join for stories, updates, and farm fresh products.