Community Highlights: Meet Marla & Brian Biggs of Hedgewood Farms

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marla and Brian Biggs.

Hi Marla and Brian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hedgewood Farms is a first-generation family farm in Miami County, Kansas. We raise and produce pastured poultry, pork, eggs, and 100% grass-fed and finished beef, selling directly to consumers in the greater Kansas City area.

We didn’t start off as farmers. Back in the early 1980s, we were computer nerds. We worked as programmers and did project management and consulting. In the 2000s we read Michael Pollan’s books “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food,” and we started to think about food in ways we hadn’t considered before. We began to realize that most of what we (and most Americans) were putting in our mouths was highly processed—a product of food science—and not real food at all. We started to understand the importance of what we put in our bodies and how what we eat makes a difference, both to our bodies and the land.

Then, in 2011, when our precious two-year-old grandson was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, it was a wake-up call for the whole family. We wanted to be careful about what we were feeding him and so all of us began paying attention to what we were putting in our bodies. We ended up revamping our own personal diets. Believe it or not, it wasn’t as hard as you might think. Human bodies have a natural craving for real food. Just start with small changes and see what happens. 

Food is medicine. Where it comes from matters. It starts under the ground, right under our feet, and has a huge impact on how our bodies operate and perform. When you grab something processed off the shelf, you’re not giving your body what it was designed to run on. 

As we continued to educate ourselves about food and farming, we also learned about the tremendous damage that industrial agriculture has on the animals, our immune systems, and on the land and natural environment. We didn’t want to be part of the problem. So we started on a journey as farmers to be part of the solution. 

We began what Brian calls our “second chapter” in 2013. We retired from our original careers and bought a small herd of cattle to grass-feed. We knew we had to make changes that would produce great food as well as regenerate the planet. We stopped row-cropping our farm ground and made the decision to return it all to pasture—natural pasture, free from pesticides and chemicals.

Our chickens and pigs are raised in their natural settings as well, foraging freely. Our animals fertilize the land. Our practices are intended to increase soil fertility, biodiversity, water retention and cleanliness, and soil carbon sequestration. This is our role in healing the environment.

Did you know cattle are ruminants? Ruminants are large, hoofed, herbivorous grazing mammals that get nutrients from plants by fermenting it in a specialized stomach prior to digestion, mainly through microbial actions. THEY ARE NOT MEANT TO EAT CORN! That’s why our cattle are humanely raised on-pasture and 100% grazed. They live their lives outdoors like they were meant to, eating a diet that’s better for them and for you.

Meat, eggs, and dairy products from pastured animals are ideal for your health. Compared with commercial products, they offer more “good” fats and fewer “bad” fats. They are richer in antioxidants; including vitamins E, beta-carotene Vitamin C and CLA. (Source: eatwild.com)

We are passionate about providing wholesome, high-quality REAL food that sustains the land and our bodies in the healthiest way possible. Going back to Michael Pollan’s writing, he points out that our great-grandparents wouldn’t even recognize most of what we’re consuming today. 

And when you think about how we’re consuming food — in the car, in front of the TV, and alone — that’s not really eating. Instead of real food, we’re consuming “edible, food-like substances” — things that aren’t found in nature. Many of them come packaged with health claims, which should be the first clue they’re not healthy.

It’s not surprising that so many people are confused about what to eat. There’s always a fad, something trendy; low carb, high protein, low-fat, etc., but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. If we just go back to REAL FOOD — the sort of food our great grandmothers would recognize as food —  then there aren’t hard decisions. You don’t need a degree in nutrition. You just need to eat what your ancestors would have eaten. Avoid “food” that’s advertised and packaged. You have the power to heal yourself, beginning with what you put in your body.

The question of what we should eat comes down to seven simple but liberating words: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Farming is a way of life, a labor of love. Raising animals is 24/7. Living, breathing animals are not machines that you can turn off and go home. 

One of Marla’s favorite sayings is: Mother Nature ALWAYS wins… we only think we can control her. Weather conditions are a constant challenge. There is not a single day that is ‘rinse, lather, repeat.’ To do this type of work requires commitment and passion and a keen desire to make a difference in the world. We are inspired by nature and determined to make it easy for people in our community to get healthier.

We are committed to providing 100% organic feed for our layers, pigs, and pastured poultry. The hay that feeds our cattle has never been sprayed or synthetically fertilized. Sourcing quality feed is an ongoing challenge, and we also face increasing costs of input. We are constantly challenged for ways to get rid of noxious weeds and trees, and to care for our animals while working to meet Certified Naturally Grown standards.

To put it mildly, 2021 was an extremely challenging year for hiring and retaining staff. It was actually the worst we’ve ever seen in all our years of running businesses. We are cautiously optimistic for 2022.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Hedgewood Farms produces pastured poultry, pork, eggs, and 100% grass-fed and finished beef in Miami County Kansas, selling direct-to-consumers in the KC Metro. 

We offer the convenience of monthly home delivery to Hedgewood Farms subscriber families all over the KC metro area, giving the subscribers priority access to our products year-round. But consumers can also order through our website. We offer free delivery with a minimum order, or you can pick up your order at the farm. 

In addition to poultry, pork, eggs, and beef, we also have a small market garden with a variety of products that customers love. We connect with our community, raising awareness about Regenerative Farming and whole foods at the Farmers Market in Lenexa, Kansas, and in Kansas City, Missouri at the Brookside Farmers Market.

We think it’s important to remember: Know your farmer, know your food. 

Brian and I are owners and partners in the entire farm operation, handling different business functions. Brian’s focus deals with on-farm operations and I take care of forecasting, sales and marketing, customer service, accounting and administration, and the market garden. 

We are constantly searching for ways to make it convenient for our customers to have access to our products. People need to know that getting REAL food, raised by a local farmer is totally possible. We want to make it easy for our customers. We believe that everyone should have access to delicious food raised humanely and ethically. 

What matters most to you? Why?
It’s worth repeating: Know your farmer, know your food. Care deeply about the land, the animals, our plants, and your health. Good health is within your reach.

Food is medicine and it starts in the soil. While you cannot control everything about your health, there is so much you can do, starting with small changes. Add real food one step at a time. To quote Lukas Nelson, “Turn off the News and Build a Garden.” 

And if you’re interested in more about why Hedgewood Farms chooses regenerative farming, check out the movie “Kiss the Ground” at kissthegroundmovie.com.

Pricing:

• Ground Beef $7.25/Lb.
• Whole Chicken $5.25/Lb.
• KC Strip $14/Lb.
• Stew Meat $10/Lb.
• Ground Pork $8.50/Lb.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.hedgewoodfarms.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HedgewoodFarmsKS

Image Credits
Kristin Schwartzmann Miller and Hedgewood Farms, LLC