DeFord Homestead LLC

The family say the business began out of a love of family, farming and tradition, and that they set it up to carry on values and a way of life handed down through generations. They describe the farm as a legacy rather than a business, something they are building for their children, who are growing up surrounded by animals and agriculture. The farm is a member of the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund.

They sell their own farm raised beef by the quarter, half or whole cow, with pricing and availability arranged directly, and eggs from free range hens at five dollars a dozen. A cow share programme lets members buy a share in the herd and take a set amount of milk: a one gallon share is thirty dollars a month and a half gallon share is twenty dollars, on top of a one time buy in equal to a month's cost. Milk is collected at the homestead or at the Grand River Farmers Market in Jackson, and members are welcome to visit and meet the herd.