Meet Margaret Paradise | Co-Owner/Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Margaret Paradise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margaret, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Our business has one value which we consider to be our rock on which we’ve built: right relationship. There’s obviously a very long list of problems with our current industrialized food system. When we set out to do it better, we had to find a starting point that would address as many of those problems as possible. We landed on relationship — from the literal ground and up. Our animals graze and forage on open fields and forests, moving across the land mimicking wild species in nature. This creates the optimal balance of nutrition and give and take for both parties involved. The land and the animals live, everyday in right relationship with one another.

The “rotational” dynamic of our grazing patterns is only made possible by our team working very closely with the animals. We move them to new forage on a daily basis. This consists of moving portable electric fence, opening gates, and having animals come when you call them. This involves scratches, treats, and fun stampedes! The animals trust us and know when they follow us, yummy new forage is on the way. This isn’t possible without us being in right relationship with our animals.

Lastly, on the sales end of our business, we’ve decided to keep our marketing direct-to-consumer as much as possible. We send out newsletters, post pictures of our happy animals regularly, and invite our customers to come see our operation at any time. This kind of transparency is unheard of on conventional farms, because to be quite honest, if people saw the way those animals were raised, they probably wouldn’t want to eat them. Our customers love being able to shake the hands of the ones who raise their food. They love being able to see the farm and know their meat was raised in right relationship with their land, their farmers, and everything else!

What should our readers know about your business?
We are a Mancos, Colorado family farm and ranch raising food as a part of nature, aiming to bring abundance to our human culture and local eco systems.We utilize permaculture and holistic patterns and principles to awaken the regenerative capacity of our soils and souls. We raise 100% grass fed beef and lamb, forest-fed pork, and pastured poultry products. We believe in selling only the finest quality products and top-quality products come from animals raised in their most natural state, moving across healthy land.

In a time of strained supply chains, vast degredation of our soils, and industrialized food production, we proudly offer an alternative option of the best quality, nutrient dense food that is raised in harmony with nature.

We’re now in our 7th year of farming. The way it started is WAY different than how its going – in the best sense! More than anything, I think our success can be contributed to continually accepting feedback and adapting to the needs of our land base, our customer base, and our holistic goals as a family. It has not been easy. We’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices. We’ve had to exercise humility, admit we were wrong, and get up over and over again after making mistakes. I think, more than anything, one thing that sets us apart is that through it all we’ve just been the ones who haven’t quit.

Our farm operation has a unique challenge of succeeding simultaneously in two vastly different, often opposing worlds — the slow and timeless pace of the natural world where we raise our products, and the fast moving, convenience driven world in which we bring our products to market. There are many operations similar to ours in terms of farming practices. There a not many who market the way we do. We offer a delivery subscription service, which we call our “CSA.” Our members get a bag of a variety of our pasture raised meats every month, delivered to their door. This bridges the gap between those worlds, and our customers LOVE not having to sacrifice their ethics and standards for convenience.

We want to show the world that we don’t have to feel bad for being a part of this living planet. We want to show the world that it is possible to live (and consume) in a way that does not only minimize our impact on the planet, but actually regenerates its resource base. We want to create a food system in which the consumers interact closely with the source of their food. One where the supply chain is no longer than a days drive or a few hands. Securing a local food supply chain in this day and age is absolutely essential for us and our land base!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Our little corner of Colorado here is remote, but there is plenty to do! Our little town sits on the edge of the high mountains, and desert, which makes for a very unique climate and landscape. Mancos is at the base of Mesa Verde National Park where there are hiking trails, museums, and incredible ruins, including the famous cliff dwellings of the ancient Pueblo.

You can stop for lunch at a number of great spots in town – the Absolute Bakery, Missy’s, and the Columbine (one of the oldest bars in CO!). If you’re wanting coffee Fahrenheit Coffee roasters is a home run – where they roast their own coffee in small batches, in house. There are art galleries, a spa, and jewelry stores in town to peruse during the day, and great night life atmosphere at Fenceline Cidery and the Mancos Brewery, where they offer live music, bingo nights, trivia nights and much more!

The beautiful Mancos River runs right through town and there’s lots of art festivals and activities put on throughout the year by our Mancos Creative Distict – including Mancos Days, the Burro Races, parades, and blacksmithing.

A short drive between Mancos and Cortez is the world famous Phil’s World for those who love mountain biking. There are trails for all levels of bikers winding between a desertscape of sage brush, juniper and pinyon pines. North of town, there are amazing cross country ski trails in the national forest and beautiful reservoirs to play in and explore in the summer.

If those activities don’t satisfy, Cortez, Dolores and Durango are surrounding directions, no more than a 30 min drive.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We’d like to dedicate our success to the tremendous support we’ve been given by both our families – from gifted land, to babysitting, meals, emotional support, and always believing in our vision even when it sounded crazy.

We’d also like to give a special thanks to the Shepard family who let us begin our regenerative farming journey on their beautiful land – New Forest Farm. They opened home to us and shared an invaluable amount of wisdom and knowledge with us.

Some of the most influential figures and books have been the following: Vandana Shiva, Joel Salatin, the Bible, Denver Permaculture Design Course, and Uncle David.

Website: www.sacredsongfarm.com

Instagram: @sacredsongfarm

Twitter: @sacredsongfarm

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sacredsongfarm

Other: www.sacredsongfarm/blog

Image Credits
Timo Paradise (photos #1 & #7)