Our First Full Year of Farming at Driftwood Pastures Co.
As our first full season of farming in Bellaire draws to a close, we're reflecting on the year and the community that's grown alongside our farm.
Every chicken sold, every recommendation, and every conversation with you at the farmers market is helping us build something bigger than we could do on our own. Our farm has grown this year and that's because of the community of people who want good, local food raised the right way.
It’s been a pleasure feeding your families, and we’re looking forward to what comes next.
A Little About Us
If we haven’t met yet, we’re Rich and Stephanie, and we started Driftwood Pastures Co. in Bellaire last year with a simple goal: to raise real food for our local community using regenerative farming practices.
We started with pasture-raised chicken, and next spring we're adding grass-fed beef. We're excited to keep growing the farm and making more locally raised food available here in Northern Michigan.
What Pasture-Raised Really Means
One thing worth remembering: pasture-raised chicken is seasonal.
Our birds spend their lives outdoors on fresh grass with sunshine and fresh air. We move their shelters to new ground every day, giving them access to clean pasture while spreading their impact to regenerate the land.
That means we only raise chickens when the grass is growing. When snow covers the ground, the pasture season is over and so is our chicken production until Spring.
We don't raise chickens year-round in barns and call it pasture-raised. We follow the seasons, which means our supply is limited and there's a natural break in production over winter.
One Last Chance to Stock Up for Winter
Many of you placed orders to fill your freezers for the winter, and we're glad you'll have local chicken on hand for the months ahead.
If you haven't stocked up yet, there's still one more opportunity to buy from us this year.
Our final market day of 2026 is Friday, November 13, at the Bellaire Farmers Market, from 9 a.m. to noon.
After November 13, we may have a limited amount of frozen inventory available, particularly wings, drumsticks, organs, and backs and necks. Larger orders may be possible by arrangement, depending on what's left.
If you'd like to check what's available, get in touch:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 231-676-0195
Once the remaining stock is gone, that will be it until we start raising chickens when the pasture comes back to life in the spring.
See You Next Spring
Building a farm takes time and this year has been a big step in that direction. We are so glad to be doing it here in Northern Michigan, alongside a community that values locally produced food.
Thank you for buying from us, spreading the word, and making room for Driftwood Pastures in your kitchens and freezers.
Want to know when our chickens are back on pasture and available to order? Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll let you know when the new season begins:
We wish you and your families a safe, cozy winter. We'll see you back on pasture and at the farmers market in the Spring.
Rich & Stephanie
Driftwood Pastures Co.
5.0 (7 Reviews)
Driftwood Pastures Co.
Bellaire, MI 49615
231-676-0195
www.driftwoodpastures.com
Alert
We're Open!
We deliver or have farmers market pick-up available on Friday, please order by Thursday midnight to reserve your meat.