The McElhoes Family Farm - (Belmont Farm), St. Petersburg PA
Belmont Farm is a small family farm perched on a hill between the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers. We raise Gourmet Quality Pastured Poultry and Eggs, Grass Fed and Finished Lamb, seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as dairy goats and semi-feral children (the goats and the children are generally not for sale). Although the farm was settled in the 1870s, it hadn't been farmed for decades. Our family moved here in 2015, and began restoring the woods, fields and pastures.
The farm's name, Belmont, was chosen in honor of the Belmont Estate of Judge Richard Peters. Judge Peters was an American Founding Father and a member of the Continental Congress in the early days of our country. Our little northwestern Pennsylvania town was likewise named for this early American jurist, and Judge Peters was an early owner of the land we are on.
For our Poultry, we raise several different breeds, specially developed for their taste, and their ability to thrive on a free range diet of grass and bugs with only our Non-GMO grain for supplemental nutrition. Although these breeds were developed in France for the special "Label Rouge" appellation program, they are now bred right here in Pennsylvania and so are truly a local food. These active birds spend their days scratching and foraging in our pastures and dust bathing in the sunshine. As a result they tend to produce a meat that is more flavorful, tender and succulent, with higher levels of Omega-3 fats and lower levels of saturated fats than typical confinement raised birds found in average supermarkets.
Our sheep are mostly North Country Cheviot, a dual purpose breed known for their hardiness and traditional flavor. We rotationally graze them on fresh pastures in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Occasionally, for a treat, they accompany our dairy goats on gastronomical day trips into our brush and woods. In the Winter, they have access to stockpiled pasture grasses, as well as hay that is never sprayed with pesticides or other nasties. We do not feed grain to our sheep, and unless we run into problem we don't intend to.
Our lambs eat only their mother's milk, from our natural pastures, or free choice hay. Their mothers are fed the same way. We find our meat to be a bit sweeter and less fatty, with none of the "greasy" taste often associated with store bought, grain fattened lamb which often come from overseas. Our lambs are often slightly smaller and more tender than grocery store lamb. That can also be a bonus when you are trying to control portions or just don't have a lot of space in your freezer!
We are proud to offer our poultry and lamb to you. We can sell Fresh at the Farm, or Frozen and Vacuum Wrapped either at the Farm of at one of our regular Delivery/Drop Sites.
Our Eggs come from a contented but mismatched flock of spoiled rotten hens. Tended by our daughter Katie, these hens are given more attention than any old store bought egg layer. Some of them have been trained (sort of), and most have names. We have had hens that rode on tricycles, hens that come when called (can't always get the kids to do that), and even one hen that was trying to learn to read from the kindergarten primer. Now that she is older, Katie continues to spoil them with the best of Non-GMO feed and treats. She raises and sometimes even hatches our hens to give them a good start. In the Summer, our girls are out on pasture, and the grass and treats make their eggs as healthy as our other products. Our eggs come in a variety of colors and sizes. Bring your own carton and choose your own fresh favorites. Occasionally, Katie will sell started pullets, that is, hens that are almost ready to lay. Don't hesitate to ask, or place an order for your very own spoiled rotten hens.
In addition to our gourmet Country Chicken, lamb and eggs, we sometimes partner with other farmers and friends to offer glass bottle cream line milk, farm made cheeses as well as occasionally some pastured pork or bacon, or a few holiday turkeys. We never know exactly what we will get from our friends, so be sure to check our website regularly for any of these special offerings. And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter!
