Gemstone Grass-Fed Beef keeps family tradition alive

Growing up in rural Alberta, farming has always been a large part of Lorin Doerksen’s heritage since his great grandfather emigrated from Europe.

This year, Lorin took the plunge with his family and created Gemstone Grass-Fed Beef, raising cattle on the same farmland his family has been on for four generations in Gem, Alberta in hopes of making sustainably-raised beef accessible across the province.

“We’d been following the farm-to-table movement for a while,” he explains. “It seemed like a great opportunity to build trust with consumers who want to know how and where the food is produced.”

“I think people are looking for a deeper connection to the land, too.”

Lorin has a background in environmental science, which provides a strong connection to the land himself, in the interest of maintaining its integrity.

In an effort to reduce waste, Gemstone Grass-Fed Beef is committed to making a difference through practices like rotational grazing – which allows pastures to regrow naturally in lieu of being eaten away to nothing, resulting in greater carbon sequestration – and working with butchers that are willing to use the whole cow, bones and all. Lorin says they’re looking into starting their own line of raw dog food to put the leftovers to good use.

As Gemstone Grass-Fed Beef enters its second official year, Lorin hopes to expand the ranch’s wholesale offerings and introduce door-to-door delivery of products in the near future.

“We want to be the best, trusted source for grass-fed, grass-finished beef in Alberta,” he says.

TAKE ACTION:

1. Click here to peruse cut options and place an order with Gemstone Grass-Fed Beef (local pickup available at Spragg’s Meat Shop on Macleod Trail).
2. Learn more about Lorin and his family here.
3.  Connect with Gemstone Grass-Fed Beef on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
4. Check out Gemstone Grass-Fed Beef’s directory listing on the REAP website.