One of the reasons I feel so lucky to live where I do is that there are quite a few farmers in the area with humanely raised animals. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't buy meat when grocery shopping unless it was locally and sustainably raised.

I like knowing that this meat comes from Farmer Brown, and that I could drive to Farmer Brown's pasture in less than an hour, to visit my future meat. It provides transparency.

It also means that I pay more for my meat, so I eat less of it and think of it as a treat when I have it.