Driving along West Badger Road in Custer, rolling fields of grass, livestock and crops can be seen. Tucked in the middle of this bucolic scene is Widnor Farms, a family-owned farm that specializes in bringing quality meats to dinner plates across the U.S.
What started as a bare plot of land and a family’s dream to feed local families has evolved into a full-scale farm, ranch store and hub for shipping meats nationally. Today, the farm has amassed over 75,000 followers on Instagram as the Widen family, who owns and operates the farm, shares their daily life.
“The farm came from the desire to bridge the gap from farm to consumer,” co-owner Brianna Widen said.
Widnor Farms had its early beginnings in 2016, when Brianna and her husband, Ryan Widen, purchased land in Custer. They spent the next three years building it from the ground up to become their online ranch store. As demand grew, the couple relocated down the road, where they opened their current location in 2022.
The Widens raise cows, chickens, turkeys and pigs for protein, which is processed on site. That meat goes on to be sold through at-home delivery, a subscription service and a ranch store that is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Cuts feature tomahawk, ribeye, pork shoulder roast, a variety of sausages, pasture-raised duck, chicken and Cornish game hens, among others. The ranch store also sells chef-prepared meals, Alaskan salmon, raw honey, raw milk and cream, wool, gourmet pet food and soaps.
In the summer, the Widens also offer a farm-to-table dining experience that brings chefs from around the world to curate four-to-five course meals for just over $200 per person. Attendees try the locally-sourced meal under the farm’s willow trees or inside its 1946 barn.
The idea for Widnor Farms came after Brianna, who was previously vegan, faced a series of health issues and needed to reintroduce meat into her diet for iron. Brianna saw returning to meat as an opportunity for her family, first-generation farmers, to produce quality meat for others.
The animals become a part of the family on the farm – just family members who have a shorter time with them, she said.
“There’s a point in time when your sadness turns to gratitude,” Brianna said. “It’s amazing how many people I can serve with a single animal.”
Chickens and turkeys are housed under white tents with walls of chicken wire. The tents are moved once or twice per day to allow the poultry to graze on new grass, acting as the farm’s personal lawn mowers and fertilizers. While caring for the animals, the Widens also focus on regenerative ranching, meaning they improve the farm’s ecosystems through rebuilding and preserving soil health.
The couple has reared their children to be heavily involved in the farm from young ages. Levi, 12, is interested in farm machines, while Gracie, 10, would hang out with the animals all day if she could. Dean, 6, makes the farm his playground.
Brianna uses the farm to foster personal responsibility and a work ethic in her children. As she notices work they enjoy, Brianna encourages her children to help out and then trusts them to use their earnings wisely.
For Levi, this means he plays a key role in helping his father move the chicken tents and guide the birds to their next destination. As for Gracie, Brianna said she could outwork some adults in the processing barns, where birds are cleaned and refrigerated. She has also already purchased her own beef cattle.
At its core, the family behind Widnor Farms has one goal: to feed Whatcom County the best quality meat possible.
“We feed people, but we also want to foster a community of people who value agriculture,” Brianna said.
Widnor Farms will be among about a dozen farms opening its barn doors to the public during Sustainable Connections’ annual Whatcom County Farm Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 13.
For more information about their services, visit widnorfarmsblog.com. The farm and ranch store are located at 1858 W. Badger Road.
Grace McCarthy contributed to the reporting of this article.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here