Evensong
Cow Share.
100% Grass Fed,
Red Devon Beef
Farm direct shares tailored for individuals, couples and families who prefer smaller quantities of beef.
In the years I have been selling grass-fed beef to our devoted customers, I have realized that though buying direct from a farmer they trust is super important to them, most folks can't store large quantities of beef some farms require them to buy. A whole, half, or even a quarter of an animal, is a LOT of beef.
Since I no longer sell my beef by the pound at markets, I have decided to put together a farm-based cow share program tailored to your needs. The beef from each cow will be divided into 12-18 shares, depending on the size of the cow. Each share comes in a canvas shopping bag and will likely weigh an average of 15-20 pounds.
To join, you pay a deposit of $65. After the shares bags are assembled, you choose which bag has options (price and contents) that you want. Your deposit will be deducted from the price of the share you choose when your beef is packaged and delivered.
Deposits are currently being accepted for beef that will be ready in spring/summer of 2024. We do not have a firm date at this time but I will keep members updated as I know more.
Please click through the details below for additional details and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
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What will the final COST be?Your $65 deposit (paid now) is deducted from your balance due for the package of cuts that you select. Packages will vary in contents, final price, and weight with the final cost for your beef likely ranging between $9 and $11 per pound. Please note that this is the pound of actual packaged meat, NOT "hanging weight" like most farms will charge (hanging weight includes all of the trimmings from an animal that you do NOT take home with you). This is about a 15-20% discount off of my retail pricing. Depending on the option you choose, your balance due could range from $40 (for those choosing a small share with economical cuts) up to $150+ (for someone who prefers a larger share with more expensive cuts).
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HOW MUCH beef is in one share?The average weight of one share should be between 12 - 22 pounds of beef, enough to fill a canvas shopping bag. There are usually 15 shares available per beef. You may purchase multiple shares if you would like more beef for your family.
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Am I able to CHOOSE what's inside my bag?Yes and no. From every cow there are limited cuts available and not everyone will get the exact same thing. Please refer to the list further down this page for an idea of what we expect back from the butcher. I encourage customers to let me know what items you'd love to have and what items you REALLY don't want. All packages contain a mixture of cuts and all have ground beef. While you have a choice of packages, please be aware that not all packages are the same and all are limited. No one is guaranteed all the cuts they want, but I will make every attempt to accommodate reasonable requests
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WHEN will the beef be ready?We will dry age the beef for 2 - 3 weeks and then it will be cut, wrapped and frozen. After I pick it up from the butcher, I will need a few days to organize and pack up the bags, get the order page up online, and then you can make your selection and pay from the comfort of your home. You can either come and pick up your share on the farm, or pick up at one of our farmers markets in Silver Spring or Dupont Circle.
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Can you tell me about the PROCESSING?Your beeves will be "custom processed" and not USDA processed. This means the facility is licensed and inspected by the state, not the federal government. When I sold frozen meat at farmers markets, it had to be USDA processed because of government regulations regarding retail sales, especially across state lines. Since you are buying a share of a cow while it is still grazing on pasture, we are able to use a custom processor. This saves the animals stress with shorter travel times (our processor is now 5 minutes away instead of over an hour), gives us more flexibility with butcher dates and, importantly, enables us to support other local small businesses in the Sharpsburg area. The meat is still in vacuum sealed, packed and labelled, just like from a USDA facility. Because of USDA regulations, custom processed meat can’t be sold at grocery stores or at farmers markets so all the packages are labelled “not for sale”.
Evensong Cow Share Details
Example of a "Cut Sheet"
Below is a list of possible cuts from one steer. You can see, when a steer is divided between multiple shares, there will be a great deal of variety between each share's contents. Some cuts are extremely limited and only a couple of people might end up with them. If there is an item or two that is a "must have" for you, please let me know on the form when you sign up. I will do everything I can to accommodate your wishes. The remainder of your share will be filled out with a variety of other cuts that I select.
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Ground beef will be divided equally between all shareholders
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Tenderloin- 2 per cow- leave whole or cut into filet steaks or include with T-Bone or Porterhouse
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Rib Roast- 2 per cow- cut into 4 bone in rib roasts (about 6# each) or cut into rib steaks
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Flank Steak- 2 per cow
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Skirt Steak- 2 per cow
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Hanger Steak- 1 per cow
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Brisket- 2 per cow- can be left whole (6#) or cut in half
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Eye Round- 2 per cow
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Rump Roast- 2 per cow
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Top Round- can be sold as a roast or it can be cut into sandwich steaks. I will order sandwich steaks unless someone requests top round roast
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Tongue, Heart, Oxtail- 1 each per cow
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Items that there will be multiples of- New York strip steaks, sirloin steaks, sirloin roasts, chuck roast, stew cubes, sandwich steaks
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Items that will be divided equally between those that request them- liver, bones
Previous Share Examples
These examples will give you a rough idea of how some of the shares are put together. All vary in weight, are a mix of cuts, and I decide on the mixture while trying my best ensure every share has a decent variety.
$9/lb Bag Example
To keep the price per pound lower, these shares had more roasts.
Example 1- Contains Sandwich Steak, Rump Roast, Chuck Roast, Shank, Short Ribs and 6 lbs ground beef. Total weight approx 17.6 lbs. Total cost of.$158.
Example 2- Contains Sirloin Steaks, Sandwich Steak, Chuck Roast, Skirt Steak, and 6 lb ground beef. Total weight approx 13.1 lbs. Total cost of $118.
$9.75/lb Bag Examples
These examples are balanced between roasts and specialty cuts.
Example 1- Contains T-Bone Steak, Sirloin Steak, Chuck Roast, Brisket, Flank Steak, Stew Cubes, Shank and 6 lbs ground beef. Total weight approx 20.2lbs. Total cost of $197.
Example 2- Contains Porterhouse Steak, Sirloin Steak, Sandwich Steak, Chuck Roast, Shank, and 6 lb ground beef. Total weight approx 15.9 lbs. Total cost of $155.
$10.50/lb Bag Example
These examples have a higher ratio of premium cuts.
Example 1- Contains Porterhouse Steak, Rib Steak, Sirloin Steak, Shank, and 6 lbs ground beef. Total weight approx 14.5 lbs. Total cost of $152.
Example 2- Contains Porterhouse Steak, Rib Steak, Sandwich Steak, Sirloin Tip Roast, Chuck Roast, Short Ribs, Shank, and 6 lb ground beef. Total weight approx 21.2 lbs. Total cost of $225.