Good food starts with good land stewardship. At Fresh Valley Farms, every decision we make on the farm is guided by our principles: high animal welfare standards, and respect for the ecosystems that support us. We raise food the way it has been done for generations, with modern tools and careful management layered in where they help the land thrive.
Our farm is located in Spallumcheen, just outside Armstrong, BC. Some of the land we farm has been tended by Steve’s family for more than a century. Today, we operate as a certified organic, pasture-based livestock farm serving families across the Okanagan, Shuswap, Thompson, and Kootenay regions.
Certified organic
Fresh Valley Farms has been Certified Organic since 2020. This certification reflects our commitment to farming without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or genetically modified inputs. Organic certification also sets clear standards for animal care, pasture access, feed sourcing, and record keeping.
Organic farming requires more planning and more observation. We welcome that. It keeps us closely connected to our animals, our soils, and the seasons.
Pasture-based livestock systems
Our cattle, pigs, and poultry live outdoors on pasture, where they can move freely and express natural behaviors. Animals are rotated regularly onto fresh ground with fresh vegetation, which supports both animal health and pasture recovery.
Pasture-based systems matter because they:
- Reduce stress on animals
- Improve forage quality
- Build soil organic matter
- Support beneficial insects and wildlife
- Reduce reliance on external inputs
Our beef is 100 percent grass fed and grass finished. Cattle graze diverse pasture in the growing season and are fed stored forage and hay through the winter. No grain is used at any stage.
Our pigs live in open pastures and wooded areas, where they root, wallow, and forage naturally. Poultry are moved frequently to fresh ground using mobile housing, including our solar-powered chicken tractor.
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture goes a step beyond sustainability. It focuses on improving the land over time, not just maintaining it. At Fresh Valley Farms, regenerative practices guide how we manage soil, water, plants, and animals so the farm becomes healthier and more resilient each year.
Our approach centers on soil biology. Healthy soil holds water better, grows stronger plants, and supports diverse life above and below ground. We keep living roots in the soil as much as possible and use livestock as a tool to stimulate plant growth and nutrient cycling.
Rotational grazing is a key part of this work. By moving animals frequently and allowing pastures to fully recover, grasses develop deeper root systems. This builds organic matter, increases carbon storage in the soil, and improves forage quality. Well-managed grazing also reduces erosion and helps pastures withstand drought and heavy rain.
Regenerative farming also means working with natural systems instead of against them. We encourage plant diversity in our fields, protect natural areas, and create habitat for pollinators and wildlife. Manure and plant residue return nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for external inputs.
Over time, these practices lead to healthier land, healthier animals, and better food. Regenerative farming is not a single technique. It is an ongoing process of observation, adaptation, and care, rooted in the belief that agriculture can restore ecosystems while feeding people well.
Rotational grazing
We use rotational grazing to manage pasture growth and recovery. Animals are moved frequently, sometimes daily, based on weather, forage growth, and ground conditions. This prevents overgrazing and allows plants time to regrow strong root systems.
Healthy soils are the foundation of our farm. By keeping living roots in the ground as much as possible, we:
- Improve water infiltration and drought resilience
- Increase carbon storage in soil
- Grow more nutrient-dense forage
- Reduce erosion and compaction
Our grazing plans change year to year as we respond to weather patterns, forage performance, and long-term soil goals.
Steve is a dealer of Gallagher electric fencing products and can help other farmers put together their own grazing plans.
Biodiversity
A healthy farm supports more than livestock. Our fields, forests, and riparian areas provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and wildlife. We actively manage hedgerows, pasture diversity, and natural areas to encourage ecological balance.
Fresh Valley Farms is a registered Land Steward with the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society. We also participate in citizen science projects, including iNaturalist, to track biodiversity on and around the farm.
Agri-tech
Fresh Valley Farms combines traditional land stewardship with modern agri-tech that makes pasture-based farming more precise, humane, and resilient. Technology is used as a support tool, not a replacement for good management. The goal is to reduce labor strain, improve animal care, and make daily decisions more data-informed while keeping animals on pasture.
A key part of this system is the use of mobile, solar-powered infrastructure. Fresh Valley Farms uses the ROVA|BARN from UKKÖ Robotics for pastured poultry. This robotic pasture barn moves birds regularly onto fresh ground while providing shelter, feed, water, ventilation, and predator protection. Built-in sensors and a mobile app allow real-time monitoring of temperature, airflow, and animal conditions, improving consistency and reducing stress for both birds and farmers.
For grazing livestock, Fresh Valley Farms relies on portable electric fencing from Gallagher Animal Management. Fast-to-set fencing makes rotational grazing possible at a fine scale. Animals are moved on schedule, forage regrowth is protected, and pastures are rested properly. Reliable fencing is critical for low-stress handling and for maintaining healthy soil and plant communities.
Renewable energy systems also play a role. Solar energy supports on-farm infrastructure, including mobile housing and monitoring systems, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and grid electricity. This allows technology to function in remote fields without permanent buildings or underground utilities.
Together, these tools support a farming system that stays flexible and adaptive. Agri-tech at Fresh Valley Farms is used to serve animals, land, and people, making regenerative practices more achievable at a working farm scale while keeping farming rooted in observation, timing, and care.
Animal welfare and low-stress handling
Animal welfare is central to how we farm. Calm animals grow better, stay healthier, and contribute to better food. We use low-stress handling techniques, thoughtful facility design, and consistent routines to reduce fear and injury. Our animals have the ability to exhibit natural behaviours, including foraging and playing.
Animals have constant access to fresh water, appropriate shelter, and clean bedding where needed. We monitor herd and flock health closely and work with trusted veterinarians when care is required.
On-farm and small-scale processing
Whenever possible, we work with small-scale, provincially inspected processors and our own on-farm facilities. This reduces transport stress on animals and keeps processing transparent and accountable.
Farm to table
Direct ordering from our customers allows us to sell cuts that reflect the whole animal, not just the most popular pieces. It also lets customers ask questions and understand how their food is raised.
Renewable energy and low-emission choices
We are actively working to reduce the farm’s energy footprint. Recent investments include a large on-farm solar array that powers much of our daily operation, including charging our electric delivery van.
Local distribution using low-emission vehicles helps us serve our community while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. These choices are part of a broader effort to align food production with climate responsibility.
On-farm composting
Fresh Valley Farms uses a commercial composter as part of our daily farming practices. This system allows us to responsibly manage organic waste on site. The sealed, rotating composting vessel uses controlled aeration, temperature, and mixing to create ideal composting conditions.
Because the process happens inside a contained drum, materials are never exposed to scavengers, pests, or weather. The system reaches and maintains temperatures that reduce pathogens and stabilize nutrients, producing a safe, consistent compost rather than raw waste.
Agri-tourism
Agri-tourism is part of how Fresh Valley Farms connects people to food and land. By welcoming visitors onto the farm, we offer a clear view of pasture-based livestock systems in action. Seeing animals on pasture, moving through paddocks, and interacting with healthy landscapes helps build trust and understanding that labels alone cannot provide.
Farm visits and community connections allow us to share how rotational grazing, animal welfare, biodiversity, and land stewardship work together. Agri-tourism supports education, transparency, and stronger local food systems, while helping customers understand the real value of responsibly raised, pasture-based meat.
Farming as a long-term commitment
We do not farm for shortcuts or quick gains. We farm so this land can remain productive for generations to come. That means choosing systems that regenerate soil, protect water, and support rural communities.
When you buy from Fresh Valley Farms, you are supporting:
- Certified organic agriculture
- Pasture-based livestock systems
- Regenerative land management
- Local food distribution
- A family-run farm rooted in place
We believe farming can feed people well while caring for the land. That belief guides everything we do.