We met up with Hudson Valley farmer, Doug Giles at Walbridge Farm. Doug has been raising predominantly Black Angus since 1994. He purchased the farm in a 15 minute sale from the the Wallbridge's which have been operating the farm since 1950. Today Doug manages around 250 head on a fed on a diet of their own silage, haylage andsunflower meal (they grow sunflowers for Hudson Valley Cold-Pressed Oil). They don't spray pesticides or insecticides and their soil and water are tested yearly. In addition, crops are rotated and cattle are frequently moved throughout their fields preserving pastures from erosion. After approximately 18 months cattle are taken to Adams Farm Meat Processing where they are humanely processed and aged. The Livestock holding pens at Adams have been professionally designed by Dr. Temple Grandin, the world's foremost authority in the humane handling of animals. The movement of the animals from the holding pens to the processing plant is through a series of one-way gates along a calming, circuitous path that never retraces steps. This is the most humane method possible and substantially reduces and even eliminates the release of stress hormones to provide a better tasting end product. All this care definitely ensures a tasty end product. We enjoyed a medium rare, bacon, Jalapeño and cheddar burger topped with a sriracha mayo.

Wallbridge products are available at Hudson Milk, Black Snake Brewing & The Market at Mabbettsville. Questions about buying whole, half or quarter cows as well as beef farming questions contact Farmer Doug directly 1-845-235-3789