Hidden Gems: Meet Whitney of Two Sparrows Farm
Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Belprez
Hi Whitney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
We are both native Michiganders – growing up just a few minutes away from Michigan State University, which gave us an awareness of agriculture, though neither of us are from farming families. We’re also 2010 graduates of Grand Valley State University, and called West Michigan home for over a decade before MOOving to our forever farm in Eaton Rapids.
We discovered the writings of Michael Pollen and Joel Salatin in college, which led to working on several farms – from an apple orchard, an organic vegetable farm to a conventional dairy farm. Experience is, of course, the best teacher and we’ve never stopped learning to perfect our craft.
Today, we serve over 350 families with our weekly fresh milk, grass-fed beef, pastured pork and other farm products. In addition, we love sharing our lessons learned by hosting farm tours for customers, guest speaking and hosting the MSU Beginning Farmer Training Program, and Dan now teaches organic principles and practices part-time in the Horticulture department at MSU. We are also raising 5 free-range farm kids!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Farming is never an easy path, especially as a first-generation producer. Even the best season challenges every farmer to grow and stretch their skills in new ways. We started with none of the advantages that many generational farmers begin with – access to land, equipment and expertise or capital from family members. However, we never had to fight against the mindset of older generations.
We could approach every problem with fresh, creative eyes and solutions. We have worked to acquire new skills over the past 13 seasons – from running a direct-marketing business, building a website and social media presence to gaining mechanic and electrical skills from constantly working on equipment that we could afford to purchase cash, it’s been a never-ending learning experience.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a grass-based livestock farm & dairy, producing healthy, humane and regenerative food that stewards creation by nourishing the land, the animals, and our bodies.
As farmers, we believe in treating our animals humanely and showing proper respect for the life-giving land we raise them on. We do not apply any chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones or prophylactic antibiotics to any of our land or animals. We strongly believe that intensive, managed grazing is the best for the land and livestock. Our cattle are grazing April through December and we make 100% of our winter forage. Any grain for lactating cows & hogs is supplemental, non-GMO and locally-grown.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
We believe in growing strong, local economies and that starts with supporting local businesses in our community and other local farmers. We prioritize patronizing local businesses and producers because we know the impact that those local dollars make on our farm.
