The Shift
The Old Way: Industrial Cattle Destroys Land and Climate
Industrial beef production is a major contributor to climate change, requiring feedlots, grain feed, and creating massive emissions.
- Beef has the highest carbon footprint of any common food
- Industrial grazing causes soil degradation
- CAFO (factory farm) practices harm animal welfare
- Rural farming communities economically devastated
The New Way: Regenerative Multi-Species Grazing
Mimicking natural ecosystems, multiple animal species rotate through pastures, building soil, sequestering carbon, and producing premium meat.
- Holistic planned grazing with cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
- Animals follow each other through pastures (cattle, then chickens)
- On-farm processing eliminates need for feedlots
- Direct-to-consumer sales capture full value
The Story
Will Harris is a 6th-generation cattleman who transformed his family's conventional operation starting in 1995 after realizing industrial methods were degrading the land.
White Oak Pastures is a 3,200-acre regenerative farm in Bluffton, Georgia, raising multiple species using holistic management.
Proof Points
Net carbon sequestered per pound of beef produced
Jobs created in rural community (from 5 in 1995)
Different livestock species on the farm
Estimated from employee count and operations scale
Deep Dive
Innovation
White Oak Pastures uses nature as the model: animals rotate through pastures the way wild herds once did. Chickens follow cattle, eating larvae from manure and spreading fertilizer.
Circular Model
Everything is used on-farm. Animal waste becomes fertilizer. Multiple species create diverse revenue streams. On-site slaughter and processing keep value local.
Community Impact
The farm has transformed tiny Bluffton, Georgia, creating 170+ jobs where there were 5. Workers can afford homes and build careers in their community.
Business Results
Products sell at premium prices through their online store, Whole Foods, and direct restaurant relationships. The Quantis study verified their carbon-negative status.
Key Takeaway
What if the most sustainable beef came from more cows, not fewer? White Oak Pastures proves that HOW animals are raised matters more than WHETHER we raise them.
Founder Pathway
Land acquisition and livestock require significant capital; transition takes 5-10 years
Best for existing farmers transitioning from conventional to regenerative
USDA organic certification, on-farm processing requires inspection