Buy Farm Fresh Meat Direct from Minnesota Farmers

Now that you’ve found your grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, and farm-fresh poultry from local Minnesota farms, it’s time to plan your freezer! Understanding your cuts and how much freezer space you’ll need is the key to a successful bulk purchase. Buying meat in bulk—quarters, halves, or wholes—is the most cost-effective way to support Minnesota farms while ensuring your family enjoys a year-round supply of high-quality, locally raised protein.

Quick Guide: Buying Meat Direct from Minnesota Farms

Choose Your Share: Bulk buying offers the best savings. Beef and Bison are typically sold in Quarters, Halves, or Whole animals. Pork, Goat, and Lamb are usually sold as Half or Whole shares. Ordering directly from Minnesota farms lets you customize cuts and packaging.
Hanging Weight: You pay based on the animal’s weight after initial processing. Your Take-Home weight will usually be 60–70% of hanging weight.
The Cut Sheet: Specify exactly how you want steaks, roasts, and ground meat packaged. Bulk orders make meal planning and freezer organization simple.
Freezer Math: Plan 1 cubic foot of space for every 35 lbs of meat. For poultry, 2 whole chickens (~5 lbs each) take up about 1 cubic foot.

Click on an image below to learn how to cook new cuts and see exactly how much freezer space you'll need!

Buying a Quarter of Beef

Grass-fed beef quarter from local Minnesota farm

Beef Cuts & Cooking

Buying 1/2 a Hog

Hog Cut Guide

Buying Whole Lamb

Lamb Cuts Chart

Buying Whole Chickens

Buying a Whole Goat

The Meat Buyer’s Dictionary

Weights & Pricing

Live Weight: The animal's weight "on the hoof" before slaughter.
Hanging (Dressed) Weight: Weight after processing, usually what you pay the farmer.
Take-Home (Retail) Weight: The actual meat in your boxes, typically 60–70% of hanging weight.
Processing Fee: Fee paid to the butcher for cutting and wrapping.

Labels & Welfare

Grass-Finished: Animals that ate only forage/grass their entire life.
Pasture-Raised: Animals that graze in open fields, not feedlots.
Heritage Breed: Traditional breeds raised for superior flavor (e.g., Berkshire Pork).
Chevon / Cabrito: Terms for goat meat.

Farm Direct Minnesota prioritizes transparency.
Verify farmer processing licenses through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much meat do I need for my freezer?

Plan for 1 cubic foot of freezer space for every 35 lbs of meat. For poultry, 2 whole chickens (~5 lbs each) take up about 1 cubic foot.

What is the difference between hanging weight and take-home weight?

Hanging weight is the animal’s weight after initial processing. Take-home weight is the actual meat you get, typically 60–70% of hanging weight.

How do I order a half or whole animal?

Use the farm’s cut sheet to select your desired portions. Ordering in bulk is the most cost-effective way to buy from local Minnesota farms.

Ready to stock your freezer? Head to the Directory Map now and find a local meat producer!

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Est. May 2020