Organic Prairie Frequently Asked Questions

Organic Prairie® Beef Jerky

What makes Organic Prairie's beef jerky organic?

Healthful, wholesome, and humanely raised Organic Prairie beef jerky is produced by cooperative family farmers working in harmony with nature.

• Our farmer-owned cooperative has been producing organic meats since 1997, according to practices that meet and often exceed the USDA's National Organic Standards www.ams.usda.gov/nop, giving us confidence in saying we represent the gold-standard in organic meat production.
• Our certified organic farms are annually inspected by independent third party agencies.
• Organic Prairie farmers never use antibiotics, or synthetic hormones and pesticides in production. For beef cattle, this is from the last third of gestation.
• Organic Prairie beef production is pasture-based, and our cattle receive only 100% certified organic feed and pasture, never rendered animal by-products.
• Our certified feed and pasture are grown on land not treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for a minimum of three years.
• Pasturing our cattle provides better quality of life for the animal, superior animal health, greater nutritive value in food derived from the animal, and it enriches soil from which the most nutritious pasture and forage is grown.
• We prohibit the use of cloned livestock in our herds. Our animals are fed only certified organic feed and no genetically modified organisms (GMO's)
• All spices and ingredients used in our products are approved for organic processing by the USDA's National Organic Program and certified organic whenever possible.

Is organic meat safe?

Organic meat is the safest choice because it comes from healthy animals raised on healthy land.

• Our regularly audited practices lead to superior health and living conditions for our organic beef cattle, a primary component in food safety.
• All Organic Prairie meats are processed at federally inspected plants which are certified for organic production by a third party organic certifier accredited by the National Organic Program of the USDA.
• We visit and audit all plants regularly to ensure they meet our strict quality standards, and in addition, each plant undergoes a third party audit for Animal Welfare and Good Manufacturing Processes to ensure a safe and humane processing environment.
• Each lot of our product undergoes rigorous microbial testing far beyond that required by the USDA before shipping to ensure it meets our own quality standards.
• Each unit of Organic Prairie meat is traceable back to a lot. Each lot is traceable back to the farms of origin, and the Farm Plan required by the National Organic Program allows the specific animals included in the lot to be identified and traced back to birth.

What are the health benefits of eating Organic Prairie's beef jerky?

• Eating organic beef is an excellent way of minimizing one's risk of exposure to antibiotics, synthetic pesticides or hormones, as well as the harmful bacteria that are more likely to be found in meat produced in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO's).
• Organic Prairie beef jerky is an excellent source of low fat protein, produced without synthetic nitrates or nitrites.
• People who eat beef regularly are more likely to meet 100% of the RDA for protein, iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. (USDA CSFII 1994-96 ).
• Stearic acid, a unique saturated fatty acid, is found in beef. Research in humans and animals suggests it has either a neutral or cholesterol-lowering effect, in contrast to other saturated fatty acids found in meat.
• The greater the percentage of cattle's diet that comes from grass, the more optimal the ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids in the beef. Organic pasture based beef generally has a ratio of 2:1, in contrast to primarily grain-fed beef, which can be as high as 20:1.

For more information on the benefits of eating organic beef, see the Health & Nutrition Links in the Resource section at www.organicvalley.coop.

How does Organic Prairie manage animal health?

The foundation of Organic Prairie's organic livestock production is maintaining strong, healthy animals with low stress and robust immune systems. Our cattle are raised and our meats are produced without use of antibiotics, and synthetic hormones or pesticides. Our farmers practice preventative medicine and natural remedies so that antibiotics and hormones are not needed in the first place. Further, we have within our cooperative some of the nation's foremost experts in holistic animal husbandry, and traditional and organic veterinary medicine, who we offer to our farmer members as a resource.

What varieties of Organic Prairie beef jerky are available?

• Prairie Classic, 2 oz. (mild)
• Smoky Chipotle, 2 oz. (medium)
• Spicy Hickory, 2 oz. (hot)

How is Organic Prairie Beef Jerky made?

Organic Prairie Beef Jerky is made by trimming and thinly slicing lean beef, tumbling it with organic spices, and then cooking and drying it.

What are good uses for Organic Prairie beef jerky?

Organic Prairie Beef Jerky is portable for quick, nutritious snacks, and perfect for camping or commuting. Our beef jerky comes in three mouthwatering flavors, and provides a flavor profile sure to please everyone. Produced without added nitrates or nitrites, Organic Prairie Beef Jerky offers a traditional snack favorite without potentially harmful added chemicals.

What is the difference between "organic" and "natural" meat?

It is a common misconception that "natural" meat is the same thing as "organic" meat. This is not the case. Significant differences exist between the two. Certified organic farms are required to follow strict standards from the USDA's National Organic Standards and are inspected by an independent third party each year for compliance. The organic certification process is the guarantee to consumers these rules are being followed. There are no such standards or inspections for natural or conventional meats. All of Organic Prairie's beef is pasture-based and part of a healthy organic farm rotation that includes some grains. Additionally, our cooperative inspects the farms of our members for compliance with our pasturing requirements which exceed USDA standards.

We care for the earth while bringing you the highest quality food