Why Corn- and Soy-Free Feed Matters More Than Most People Realize

At Park View Farm, clean food doesn’t start at the grocery store — it starts with what your food eats.

That’s why we raise our animals on completely non-GMO, corn- and soy-free feed alongside pasture access, even though doing so is significantly more difficult and expensive than conventional feeding programs. We believe feed changes more than most people realize. It influences how animals grow, the quality of fat found in meat and eggs, and ultimately what shows up on your family’s dinner table.

Today, the overwhelming majority of chickens and pigs in the United States are raised on diets built primarily around corn and soy. These crops dominate modern agriculture because they are inexpensive, heavily subsidized, and easy to grow at massive scale. Most are produced in large monoculture systems that rely heavily on herbicides and synthetic inputs before being processed into standardized animal feed.

Even many farms labeled natural or pasture-raised still rely on corn- and soy-based diets. At Park View Farm, we chose a different approach.

One of the least discussed realities of food production is that animals convert what they eat directly into the fat found in meat and eggs. Corn and soy are naturally high in omega-6 fatty acids. When animals consume large amounts of these feeds, those fats accumulate in the food people ultimately eat.

Omega-6 fats themselves are not inherently harmful. The issue is balance. Historically, human diets contained a relatively even ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats. Modern diets, however — dominated by processed foods and industrial seed oils — often contain ten to twenty times more omega-6 than omega-3. Many researchers associate this imbalance with increased systemic inflammation over time.

By feeding animals a diverse, corn- and soy-free diet while raising them on pasture, we aim to produce meat and eggs with a more traditional and balanced fat profile.

Most customers don’t discover this through nutrition research. They notice it while cooking.

Egg yolks stand taller and richer in the pan. Chicken roasting in the oven fills the kitchen with the kind of aroma that brings everyone in asking when dinner will be ready. Pork develops a deep, caramelized sear instead of releasing water and steaming.

These small moments are often the first indication that how animals are raised — and what they are fed — truly matters.

Corn- and soy-free feeding is uncommon for a reason. The feed costs significantly more and can be difficult to source consistently. Animals typically grow more slowly, and feed efficiency decreases compared to industrial systems optimized purely for speed and output.

In large-scale agriculture, efficiency usually wins. At Park View Farm, we prioritize food quality, animal health, and long-term soil stewardship instead.

A diversified, non-GMO diet combined with pasture access supports natural growth rates, strong immune systems, and reduced stress for the animals we raise. Our livestock live outdoors with fresh air, movement, and species-appropriate nutrition rather than confinement or accelerated production schedules.

For many families, the result is simple: food they no longer feel the need to second-guess. Over time, the farm becomes part of their normal routine — eggs in the fridge, meat in the freezer, and confidence in what they’re serving at the dinner table.

Feeding animals well is one of the most important decisions a farm can make. Our commitment to corn- and soy-free, non-GMO feed reflects a broader belief that healthy soil supports healthy animals, which ultimately produces healthier food for families and stronger local communities.

If you’re curious to experience the difference firsthand, you can browse what’s currently available from Park View Farm anytime.