Some of the toughest moments on the ranch are harvest days. We’ve been putting off the final day for two rabbits, a rooster, and a Muscovy duck. These animals lived full lives, and now they will nourish our pets. The dark red meat of the Muscovy always amazes me—so different from what most people expect from poultry. The rabbits were quickly and respectfully dispatched, their pelts saved and sent off to be tanned. The nicest feathers from the birds were set aside as well. Nothing is wasted. Everything has purpose. This is the circle of life on the farm—honest, humbling, and deeply grounding. #RanchLife #FarmLife #CircleOfLife #RespectTheAnimal #NothingWasted #FarmHarvest #HonestFood #RealFood #HomesteadLife #BackyardFarming #SustainableLiving #RegenerativeAg #FromFarmToBowl #CountryLiving #RuralLife

For decades, Americans were taught to trust the food pyramid as the gold standard for healthy eating. Over time, that pyramid didn’t just evolve — it was replaced, rebranded, and reshaped, most notably into MyPlate, under the guidance of the United States Department of Agriculture. What changed on paper quietly reshaped how food is purchased, prescribed, and served across the country. Food Stamps (SNAP) As nutritional guidance shifted toward grain-heavy, calorie-dense, low-cost foods, SNAP purchasing patterns followed. The result? Ultra-processed foods became easier to justify as “nutritionally acceptable” while real, whole foods — quality meats, fresh produce, dairy from real farms — became harder to afford. The system rewards shelf stability and volume over nutrient density, pushing families toward foods that fill bellies but fail to truly nourish. Doctors & Dietary Advice Many doctors still lean on outdated or institutional dietary guidance, often recommending “low-fat,” “whole grain,” or “plant-forward” diets without distinguishing between whole foods and industrial substitutes. This disconnect leaves patients confused: rising obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disease exist alongside advice that tells people to eat more of the very foods that spike blood sugar and inflammation. When nutritional policy is shaped more by committees than by outcomes, patients pay the price. School Lunches Perhaps the most visible impact is in school lunch programs. What qualifies as a “balanced meal” often includes flavored milk, refined grains, seed oils, and processed proteins — while real meat, eggs, and full-fat dairy are limited or discouraged. Kids are taught early what “healthy” looks like, and too often it looks nothing like the food their grandparents ate to build strong bodies and working lives. The Bigger Picture The shift away from the original food pyramid wasn’t just about health — it was about scalability, cost control, and industrial food systems. When guidelines shape government purchasing power, they shape farming, processing, and consumer behavior nationwide. Small farms, ranchers, and nutrient-dense foods lose ground, while large processors thrive.

Before the sun had fully burned the chill off the trees, we headed out of Priest River, Idaho, coffee in hand and a plan for the day. The drive to Country Meats in Cataldo is one we know well — winding roads, river views, and just enough quiet time to reset and appreciate why we do this in the first place. The main mission was picking up a custom-cut pig for four customers, each one with their own freezer waiting back home. There’s something satisfying about seeing those clearly labeled boxes stacked up — every chop, roast, and pound of bacon cut exactly the way it was requested. That’s the beauty of custom processing: families getting food that fits how they actually cook and eat. While we were there, we took a moment to check in on our grass-finished beef that’s currently dry aging in the cooler. No rush, no shortcuts — just time doing what time does best. Opening that cooler door is always a reminder that patience is part of quality, and good beef is worth waiting for. Trips like this might look simple from the outside, but they’re a big part of what makes the whole system work. From Priest River to Cataldo, it’s about follow-through, relationships, and making sure every customer gets exactly what they were promised — real food, raised right, and handled with care from start to finish. #PrimalAcresMeats #NorthIdaho #PriestRiver #CataldoIdaho #CountryMeats #LocalFood #KnowYourFarmer #CustomCut #FreezerFiller #GrassFinishedBeef #DryAgedBeef #PastureRaisedPork #FarmToFreezer #PNWRanch #SupportLocalFarmers