About Rappahannock Farms
Rappahannock Farms was created in 2008 when two farming friends sat down to discuss how they could expand their lamb production to meet growing market demand and at the same time help bolster local family farms. The result of that discussion is Rappahannock Farms, LLC - dedicated to bringing you the best quality foods straight from our farms to your home.
Our farms share a common vision of how farming can provide viable livelihood while preserving the rural landscape and making a positive contribution to our environment:
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We strive to farm in the most sustainable and environmentally beneficial manner possible. This means a pasture-based grassfed operation that never allows for processed feeds, growth hormones, or antibiotics. Rotational grazing is employed to provide better health for our sheep, pastures and environment. All of our livestock is fenced out of streams and wetlands to protect the fragile Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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We value a direct connection with our customers. We are committed to providing good, healthy and great tasting food to local customers without any middlemen. Our lamb comes from our farms directly to you.
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We believe strongly in the ability of the Clun Forest breed to work for us to provide the best tasting lamb on pasture alone. All of our flocks are Certified Humane and participants in the USDA's voluntary scrapie eradication program.
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We treasure the pastoral beauty of the Rappahannock landscape. The rolling hills, quiet villages and tidy farms nestled against backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains cannot be threatened by development as long as the family farm remains viable. We are dedicated to preserving the rural nature of this piedmont landscape for future generations to enjoy.
Our Lamb
You'll taste the difference immediately. A rich tender flavor unlike anything you've experienced before. Even people who would hesitate to order lamb in the best restaurants love the taste of our lamb.
Our lamb is sold directly to the customer - no middlemen, no feedlots, shipping, or grocery chains. It's farm fresh. Here's what customers have to say about our lamb.
We sell to individuals interested in the best quality and healthiest of foods. We are four small farms with limited output, but that allows us absolute quality control over our product, and ensures that our livestock is well cared for. We are proud to be Certified HumaneTM. Our small size also allows us to package your lamb exactly to your individual specifications.
Raising such superior tasting lamb doesn't come easy. The unique flavor of Rappahannock Farms lamb is the result of careful attention to the diet, breeding, and growing conditions of our sheep. Our lamb is grown on four small farms nestled in the rolling hills of Rappahannock County about 1.5 hours from Washington, DC. Aside from being an area of breathtaking beauty, Rappahannock is ideal sheep country. Our sheep thrive on lush green pastures of orchard grass, rye grass, clover, and native herbs and forbs. This healthy diet forms the basis for the rich and unique flavor of our lamb. Recent studies indicate that this healthy diet is healthier for you too. The free-range sheep on our farms are never given any artificial or processed feeds, hormones, or growth supplements.
Note: Because lamb from Rappahannock Farms is so lean and tender we often have to warn customers not to overcook it. Rappahannock Farms lamb should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 160o - no more. Our lamb achieves its fullest flavor when served medium-rare.
We're so convinced of the superiority of our product that we guarantee it. If it simply isn't the best tasting lamb you've ever eaten, simply return the remainder of your order and we'll refund your purchase completely.
When to Order Your Lamb
Because of the limited supply, it’s best to order your lamb as early as possible (most years we have a waiting list). Spring lamb (Package 3) is available only in May, while our regular lamb packages (Packages 1 and 2) are available typically October through March.
Lamb Packages
Since we take so much care to ensure that our lamb is raised in a healthy, natural way, you'd expect to pay a premium for such an outstanding product. Yet our prices are much what you'd pay in a grocery store, and considerably less than you'd expect to pay for a similar product in high-end gourmet shops. We can afford to offer you a superior product at such a low cost because we only sell our lamb in "packages" and not by individual cuts.
If you plan to order: (1)Whole Lamb - Custom Order, (2) Half lamb - Custom Order, (3) Spring (Whole) Lamb - Custom Order, or (4) Whole Lamb - Special Order, these are prices differently and you should read this important note on price and weights.