Welcome to Good & Able Farmstead! Home of the Howard family, a variety of animals, and lots of craziness. Our family of 4 along with our 2 dogs and 1 cat relocated to Athens, Texas in May of 2017. In just over a year, we have added cows, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, turkeys, rabbits, and bees. Yah… we wouldn’t really recommend adding as quickly as we have, but we’re a little crazy. That’s just how we roll. Plus, we’re in Texas… go big or go home, right?!

Sometimes it works out great and sometimes… well… that straight jacket and padded room has my name on the waiting list. In the meantime, we’ll do the best we can…

For God’s Creation is Good and He has made us Able.

Why “Farmstead”?… because people picture a “farm” as a commercial farm. That’s NOT us. We consider ourselves bigger than a homestead although that term would be closer to describing us in most people’s minds. Sustainability and Diversity… an attempt to move closer to how God created things to be… that’s what we’re about. Not perfect, but moving that direction.

So buckle up, hold onto your hat, and enjoy the ride!

Why Heritage Breeds?

“Traditional, historic breeds retain essential attributes for survival and self-sufficiency – fertility, foraging ability, longevity, maternal instincts, ability to mate naturally, and resistance to diseases and parasites.” (livestockconservancy.org) Tradition, resilience, & sustainability are highly revered by Good & Able Farmstead.

Tradition. Resilience. Sustainability.

Although these breeds tend to grow slower and/or produce less product, we think the flavor is superior to that of the commercial breeds. We like our food to taste good, don’t you? Good & Able Farmstead raises our animals on pasture-rotation where they root, graze on grass, and soak up the sun. If we provide supplementation, we avoid GMO’s & soy. Essential oils & natural remedies are our first defense for sick or injured animals to avoid the use of antibiotics as much as possible.

You Are What You Eat.

When producers focus on faster, bigger & cheaper, they sacrifice not only the flavor of the meat, but the health of both the animal & the consumer. Our goal is to produce the most flavorful & healthiest meat for our family & yours. We understand that good, healthy food costs more, but we also know the toll that food contaminated with chemicals and lacking nutritional value has taken. It takes time to change, but now is a good time to start. Good & Able Farmstead would love to be your source for healthy, quality meat.

For His Creation is Good & He has made us Able.