Natural Growth, Local Success:
Natural Farms Field Day, June 12th

–Wylie Harris

On June 12th, one of the most dynamic enterprises on Tulsa’s local foods scene will share its story at an on-farm field day.

Farmers, ranchers and members of the public are all invited to attend this free event from 6-9 p.m.

From its beginnings as a beef cattle operation, Natural Farms has expanded through sales at the Cherry Street Farmers Market, through the operation of their own on-farm processing facility, to the opening of two natural-foods stores/restaurants in Tulsa.

At every step along that path, Natural Farms has worked hard to bring its customers the healthiest options in natural and organic food, from the most local sources available. In fact, Natural Farms is always looking for suppliers of organic produce as well as natural meats, and invites interested producers to attend the field day.

Jeff and Chris Emerson, Natural Farms’ owners, began raising animals many years ago. The family raises Piedmontese beef, fattened on certified organic grains, without synthetic hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides.

More recently, Natural Farms opened its own USDA-inspected processing facility. The processing plant lets the Emersons direct-market their own beef “from the pasture to the plate.”

The Emersons also offer their own all-natural chicken meats, as well as buying naturally raised hogs from another local producer for processing in their own plant. Two large smokers expand the range of meats that they offer to include smoked hams, briskets, jerky, and nitrite-free sausages.

"Just because it is healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste, tenderness, or quality!" they proclaim.

Market Magic
Six years ago, even before opening their own processing facility, Natural Farms began selling its meats at Tulsa’s Cherry Street Farmers Market.

Natural Farms also opened a retail store in Tulsa, at 420 S. Utica. This retail outlet is unique in that it sells primarily local meats raised and/or processed by Natural Farms.  Some other items, such as a selection of different kinds of fish, are also available.  In addition, the firm is set up to wholesale most of its products to other retailers.

Natural Farms also sells through the Oklahoma Food Co-op, as well as operating a ‘co-op’ of its own. In the Natural Farms ‘co-op,’ members pay a $45 annual fee for the ability to order two weekly share bags – one of meat items, and one of produce. The bags are sized to feed one or two people for a week.

The weekly price of each bag is $29.50, or both together for $57.  In late April, for example, the meat bag contained chicken breasts, tenderized steak, chicken sausage, cod filets, a dozen eggs, and ground beef.  Contents of the produce share bag vary seasonally, but are always organic.

The store’s service includes free delivery within 30 miles of Tulsa on any order of $65 or more.  Natural Farms weekly share bags can be delivered within the same range, for an extra $8 fee.

Growing Local Links
As much as possible, the Emersons try to source the store’s offerings from other local farmers and ranchers, while still maintaining their own standard of natural/organic quality.

“We try really hard to support Oklahoma growers who do things the correct way - not using any growth hormones, steroids, etc.,” Jeff Emerson says.

However, local suppliers are scarce enough that even during the growing season, the Emersons still buy over half the produce that they sell from sources outside the state. To help change that situation, they encourage specialty crop growers, as well as producers of natural/organic chicken and turkey, to investigate the possibility of selling to Natural Farms.

With the success of their original store, Natural Farms recently opened a second retail outlet in south Tulsa, at 91st and Sheridan.  The new store includes a deli, as well as an upscale restaurant.

The restaurant is open on Friday and Saturday nights by reservation, and features the culinary expertise of chef Michael Cook. Recent menu items included tomato soup and spinach artichoke dip among the starters, entrée choices like Piedmontese ribeye steak, pan-fried tilapia, and chicken picatta, and dessert choices including crème brulee and organic vanilla ice cream.

Spreading the Word
With all these diverse undertakings, from raising, processing, and retailing their own natural foods, to building demand and markets for other local farmers and ranchers, the Emersons are doing as much as seems humanly possible to foster the growth local food in the Tulsa area.

They’ll be sharing their insights on that process, along with a view of the opportunities it presents for both producers and customers, at the June 12th field day.

The audience they hope to draw includes ranchers interested in raising and marketing natural meat products.

In addition, producers of natural and organic poultry, as well as fruits and vegetables, are also welcome and encouraged to attend, to learn about the rapidly growing demand for those items within wholesale markets.

Also invited are supporters of natural foods and local agriculture who want to visit a local ranch and learn about the selection, preparation, and nutritional benefits of naturally raised meat products.

All field day attendees will take a tour of the Emersons’ farm, highlighting their controlled grazing of Piedmontese cattle and Boer goats, and then enjoy some locally grown snacks.

Producers will then embark on a more comprehensive tour of the ranching operations, while others will receive shopping and cooking tips on natural meat products, as well as information about current happenings at the Natural Farms Grocery Store and Restaurant.

To reach the Emerson's ranch from Tulsa go to S. 161 St. Look for 43rd E. Avenue (between Harvard and Yale) and turn south. Go to the end of the road to a double white gate.

From outside Tulsa, go on highway 75 to 161st South and go east. Then follow directions above. 

This event is sponsored by the Kerr Center in cooperation with the USDA Risk Management Agency. For more information, call either store (918.779.6300 or 918.583.5354), or call the Kerr Center at 918.647.9123.
To learn more about Natural Farms, visit their website at www.naturalfarms.com.