Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
What is a Herdshare?
Our Signature Herdshare is a simple way to keep your freezer stocked with high-quality, pasture-raised beef from our farm without needing to purchase a large amount all at once.
As a herdshare member, you’ll receive approximately 10 pounds of beef each month, carefully selected to give your family a variety of cuts to enjoy. Every box includes ground beef and steaks, along with other rotating cuts that may include roasts, stew meat or kabob meat, fajita meat, beef tips, short ribs, or tenderized steaks.
Each cut is vacuum-sealed, frozen for freshness, and processed at a USDA-inspected facility we’ve carefully selected to ensure quality and safety.
The herdshare was created for families who want the flavor and confidence of farm-raised beef, but may not have the freezer space for a half or whole animal. Instead of filling a large freezer all at once, the herd share allows you to receive your beef in a manageable, freezer-friendly monthly portion while still enjoying the value that comes with purchasing directly from a farm.
Many families find that about 10 pounds per month is the perfect amount to keep their freezer stocked for weeknight dinners, weekend grilling, and family meals around the table.
Beyond convenience, the herd share also helps strengthen the connection between local farms and the families they feed. By participating, you’re supporting a multi-generation family farm committed to raising cattle responsibly, caring for the land, and producing honest food for our community.
Your subscription runs month-to-month through the end of the year, giving you consistent access to beef you trust while helping us responsibly plan our herd and harvest schedule.
For families who already have a chest freezer and prefer to stock up all at once, we also offer bulk beef purchase options.
Our herdshare is one of the easiest ways to enjoy the taste of the farm, keep your freezer stocked with local protein, and support a stronger local food system right here in our community.
How is the beef raised?
Our cattle are raised on pasture with continuous access to grass for grazing and are supplemented with a feed that includes non-GMO grains. While we are not certified grass-fed or non-GMO, we are committed to responsible and transparent practices. Our beef is hormone free and antibiotic free. We practice rotational grazing that improves the health of our soils and our animals.
We maintain a closed herd and practice natural conception. Our bulls are carefully selected with high EPDs to continually improve the genetics of our herd, meaning you naturally get the healthiest, tastiest, cleanest beef at your table. All our animals (aside from the bulls) are born and raised on our low-stress farm, without the use of electric prodders or feedlots. Bulls are temporarily removed from the herd at precise times to prevent calves from being born in the hottest or coldest months for the well-being of our mama cows and our newborn calves.
We invest time to research current best practices to ensure we are being good stewards of the animals and the land while also producing the highest quality, traceable, Arkansas-raised beef for your table.
How is the beef different from grocery store beef?
The biggest difference is transparency and connection.
Most grocery store beef comes from large, complex supply chains where cattle may pass through multiple operations before reaching the shelf. By the time it reaches the consumer, it can be difficult to know where the animal was raised or how it was cared for.
At Bear Creek Meats & More, our cattle are born and raised on our family farm using responsible pasture-based practices. We focus on thoughtful stewardship of our land and animals, allowing cattle to grow naturally without added hormones.
Because we raise our cattle ourselves, we know exactly how they were cared for from the very beginning. That level of transparency allows us to provide beef our own families feel proud to serve at the dinner table.
When you purchase beef from our farm, you’re not just buying a product—you’re supporting a local, multi-generation farm and strengthening the local food system in our community.
What is dry aging?
Dry aging is a traditional process that allows beef to naturally become more tender and more flavorful before it is cut and packaged.
After harvest, the beef is carefully stored in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment for a period of time. During this process, natural enzymes in the meat begin to break down muscle fibers, which improves tenderness. At the same time, moisture slowly evaporates from the meat, concentrating the flavor.
The result is beef that has a richer taste and more tender texture than beef that is processed immediately.
Most grocery store beef is wet-aged, meaning it is vacuum sealed shortly after processing and shipped through the supply chain. While this method is faster and more efficient for large distributors, it doesn’t develop flavor the same way traditional dry aging does.
Because we work with smaller batches of cattle raised on our farm, our processor is able to dry age the beef before it’s cut and packaged, helping bring out the best flavor and eating experience possible.
It’s one more way we focus on quality over shortcuts, so the beef you serve your family truly reflects the care that went into raising it
How do payments work?
Your options are for one-time-purchase, paid-upfront (subscription), pay-as-you-go (subscription), deposit, or final payment (reconciled at a later date, upon harvest) based on your order type. We are partnered with Barn2door to provide you secure online payment with a credit/debit card and order tracking. At our pop up events we offer have a point-of-sale system to take cash or card!
What is on-farm pickup?
Farm pickup simply means you’ll come directly to our farm to receive your order. AND ITS FREE!
Many of our customers enjoy this option because it gives them the opportunity to pick up their beef right where it was raised. It’s also a great way to see a little bit of the farm and connect more closely with the source of your food.
When your order is ready, we’ll provide a scheduled pickup time so everything runs smoothly. Your beef will be frozen, vacuum-sealed, and ready to go straight into your cooler or freezer when you get home.
If you’ve never picked up food from a farm before, don’t worry—we make the process simple and straightforward. We’ll send clear directions and instructions so you know exactly where to go when you arrive.
For many families, farm pickup becomes one of their favorite parts of buying food locally because it creates a direct connection between the farmer and the people they feed.
If you would like to schedule a tour at the same time as your pickup, please call ahead as we work outside of the farm, too. We would love to show you how your food is raised. You deserve to know.
If you miss your pick up, no need to worry! We understand that life gets busy and life happens.
If you’re unable to make your scheduled pickup time, simply reach out to us as soon as possible and we’ll work with you to arrange another pickup time that works for both of us.
Our goal is to make receiving your order as convenient as possible while ensuring your beef stays properly frozen and handled.
Clear communication helps us keep everything running smoothly, and we’re always happy to help when scheduling conflicts come up.
How does delivery work?
We offer home delivery within Boone County and to neighboring counties. A delivery fee will apply ($8 in Boone County, $12 to neighboring counties.) We’ll keep you informed and schedule deliveries directly with you through our online order tracking. You can also expect a courtesy text/call when your order is on its way.
Herdshare members receive free delivery.
Can I visit your farm or learn more about your practices?
Transparency builds trust. You deserve to know how and where your food was raised. We offer occasional open farm days, virtual tours, and email newsletters about life on the farm. Visit us on Facebook or sign up for our newsletter to find out when our next farm day is. We'd love to see you and your family!