Blackbird Farm Tour

Today I was invited by David Dadekian culinary writer & photographer on http://www.eatdrinkri.com/ to attend the Blackbird Farm-to-Chef Open House.

Blackbird Farm, is located in Smithfield, Rhode Island and humanely raise all-natural, hormone-free, pasture-fed, 100% Angus cattle.  Founded in 1998, Blackbird Farm currently has 80 head cattle on 106 acres and is run by Ann Marie & Kevin Bouthillette. Their beef beef is in restaurants such as Castle Hill Inn, Chez Pascal, Gracie’s, The Liberty Elm Diner, Nick’s on Broadway, Persimmon Provisions and Tini.

This was a great Chef networking event and was attended by some of the premier chefs in Rhode Island.  The program started off with a welcome to the farm by Ann Marie.  Ann Marie then introduced  Mr. Tom Burke, President of American Angus Hall of Fame.  This gentleman discussed the history of the breed and is a walking encyclopedia in regards to the heritage and lineage of Black Angus Cattle.

We then went to one of the barns where Ann Marie's son Brandon and her husband Kevin discuss breeding, care and feeding of the herd. John Pollack, DVM did an ultrasound on two cattle, very interesting indeed, we will just keep it at that for now........

At around 12:30 we went on a Pasture walk to get up close and personal with the cattle in several locations on the farm. 

Once the walk was complete, it was time for lunch; lunch was prepared by Chef Salko of Tini and included the following:

Rotisserie Leg of Beef

Wood Grilled Local Asparagus with Lemon

Farmer's Crock of Baked Beans

Portuguese Sweet Rolls

Make-Me-a-Kid-Again Brownies

The farm is currently developing a poultry program, raising 200 broiler chickens and 150 laying hens for meat and eggs and to has plans to open up their farm stand this summer, I hope all of my readers will stop by the stand an purchase some of the best beef around.

Ann Marie gave a speech on May 18th as part of RI Agriculture Day 2011, her speech will give you additional details on the farms history and future, to read more, click here

Until I blog again,, Eat Well, Live Life and Be Safe.....