The Calf-inated Cow Farm is new at the Sequim Farmers Market this week, offering a product that this third-generation family farm has not had available until now: 100 percent grass-finished beef raised on their family farm in Sequim, cut and wrapped for retail sale.

I had the opportunity to speak with farmer Kristin Higgins, who grew up on her family farm on McComb Road in Sequim. She is now working alongside her parents Fred and Christy Mitchell, with her husband Brian and their three children, to make their high-quality and ethically raised animal products available to the local community.

Kristin’s grandparents Morris and Pauline Quinn moved to Sequim in 1932, and in 1940 started a dairy with 100 head of Holstein cows. They operated a successful family dairy for more than four decades, until 1986 when there was a government-coordinated dairy buy-out to consolidate and commercialize the dairy industry. One of the conditions of the buyout was that no female cows could be on the farm for nine years. At this time Kristin was a young girl on the family farm, and her grandmother Pauline maintained her local business in town, the Magic Mirror Beauty Salon.

After the nine years was up, Kristin’s grandfather and mother brought cattle back to the family farm when together they started an Angus beef operation. Since establishing the beef operation, their mission has been to provide high-quality, ethically raised 100 percent grass finished beef to their customers.

The Calf-inated Cow farm attributes their solid reputation to the lasting customer relationships their family has developed throughout their many years in our community. For generations their closed herd of cows has been bred, born, raised and slaughtered on the farm without the use of genetically modified feed, antibiotics, vaccines or growth hormones of any kind. Kristin explains that no grain is ever fed to their 100 percent grass-finished animals.

Kristin and Brian Higgins, the third generation on the family farm, became involved in the business five years ago. Brian was a city boy who fell in love with the farm, and wanted to stay. They have brought the fourth generation to the family farm with their three children: William, 12, Jane, 5, and Ivan, 1.

Kristin and Brian have been shadowing Kristin’s parents to learn all the different aspects of running the farm. They have been working to make improvements as well, to keep the farm running efficiently and productively for generations to come.

They have introduced poultry to the farm, including a flock of laying hens as well as turkeys that can be pre-ordered for Thanksgiving. Next year they plan to introduce meat chickens for retail sale.

The Calf-inated Cow Farm has offered beef exclusively through wholesale in the past, and this is their first time offering individual cuts of USDA beef to the public. Visit their booth at the Sequim Farmers Market to give them a warm welcome and to bring some of their locally-raised beef home to your table.

We are celebrating the summer abundance with two Kid’s Days in the month of August! This Saturday is Kid’s Day at the Sequim Farmers Market. Visit the Kid’s Day Activity Booth to receive a $2 coupon which can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables from any farm vendor at the market. Coupons are available while supplies last.

Kid’s Days at the Sequim Farmers Market are made possible with generous support from WSU Clallam County Extension, and Olympic View Community Foundation.

Enjoy our summer live music series with Forest Beutel performing this week from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

A special thanks to Bell & Davis Law, Brokers Group Real Estate, and First Federal Savings & Loan.

Elli Rose is the Sequim Farmers Market manager. Contact her at manager@sequimmarket.com or 360-582-6218, or see www.sequimmarket.com.