What Mint Creek Farm does

Mint Creek Farm is a Certified-Organic, pasture-based diversified livestock operation located on 220 acres in Stelle, Illinois. Founded in 1992 by Harry and Gwen Carr, the farm raises grass-fed beef, lamb, goat, pork, boar, chicken, and turkey, and produces eggs, operating under USDA Organic certification and pasture-based husbandry practices that emphasize rotational grazing and organic feed.

The farm runs a fully direct-to-consumer commercial model, selling through four parallel channels: farmers markets, CSA subscriptions, home delivery, and on-farm pickup. This multi-channel structure is the core of the go-to-market, owning the customer relationship end-to-end and bypassing wholesale intermediaries. The species diversification across eight livestock categories functions as both a production-risk hedge and a portfolio offering for customers seeking a single-source supplier for varied proteins.

The business generates revenue from individual retail and subscription transactions across its Chicago-area service footprint, with no disclosed B2B wholesale, restaurant, or institutional accounts. Pricing is not disclosed in the available data. There is no indication of outside capital, institutional investors, or expansion financing; the operation appears to be family-owned and continuously operated under the founding family for over three decades. No technology platform, software stack, or automation infrastructure is described — the operation is fundamentally a traditional pasture-based agricultural business whose differentiation rests on certification, husbandry practices, and direct customer relationships rather than technology.

Name

Mint Creek Farm

Legal name

Mint Creek Farm

Website

https://mintcreekfarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mint Creek Farm is a Certified-Organic, pasture-based diversified livestock farm in Stelle, Illinois, raising grass-fed beef, lamb, goat, pork, boar, chicken, turkey, and eggs, and selling direct-to-consumer through farmers markets, CSA subscriptions, home delivery, and farm pickup.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Meat Production

NAICS

Sheep and Goat Farming (1124), Sheep Farming (11241), Goat Farming (112420), Hog and Pig Farming (11221)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Organic/Regenerative Sheep & Goat Production (AFAEAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Organic & Pasture-Raised Hog Farming (AFAEAEAI), Heritage/Specialty Breed Hog Farming (AFAEAEAJ), Sheep Farming (Wool & Meat) (AFAEAFAA)

Keywords

• Organic pasture-raised meats
• Grass-fed livestock
• CSA meat subscription
• Heritage breed farm
• Certified organic farming

Headquarters

HQ city

Cabery

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: Individual cuts of beef, lamb, goat, pork, chicken, turkey, and eggs sold directly to consumers through the farm's e-commerce storefront, farmers markets, and farm pickup.
2. CSA Subscriptions: Community Supported Agriculture membership program with Pick-up CSA, Delivery CSA, and Annual CSA options. Members receive regular monthly or weekly installments of meat and/or eggs at a discount, with 10% off additional purchases.
3. Bulk Meat Sales: Quarter, half, and whole animal purchases for beef, lamb, goat, and pork with significant per-pound discounts compared to individual cuts. Includes standard cut lists with customization options.
4. Third-Party Products: Resells artisanal products from partner farms including Janie's Mill grains/flours, Nordic Creamery cheeses/butters, and honey.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Mint Creek Farm operates a Certified-Organic, pasture-based diversified livestock farm on 220 acres in Stelle, Illinois, raising 100% grass-fed beef, heritage breed pork, lamb, goat, boar, pasture-raised chicken, turkey, and eggs. The farm sells individual cuts, bulk quarter/half/whole animal shares, and CSA subscriptions directly to consumers through farmers markets, home delivery, on-farm pickup, and UPS shipping in the Chicagoland area.

Product overview

Mint Creek Farm is an organic, pasture-based diversified livestock farm operating on 220 certified-organic acres in Stelle, Illinois. The company offers a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform selling premium grass-fed meats including beef, pork, lamb, goat, and boar; pasture-raised chicken and turkey; eggs; and bones & organs. Products are available through individual purchases, bulk quarter/half/whole animal options, and a CSA subscription program offering weekly or monthly meat and egg deliveries in the Chicago metropolitan area. The farm also resells complementary products from partner artisans including Janie's Mill grains/flours and Nordic Creamery dairy products, along with farmstead honey and gift cards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grass-Fed Beef 100% grass-fed and finished Black and Red Angus cattle raised on 220 acres of organic perennial pasture. Sold as premium cuts (ribeye, T-bone, sirloin), ground beef, brisket, roasts, organs, and bones, targeted at health-conscious consumers seeking pastured meats.
• Heritage Breed Pork Pasture-raised pork from heritage breeds including Mangalitsa, Hampshire, Berkshire, Duroc, Gloucestershire Old Spot, and White Chester. Includes fresh cuts, sausages, bacon, and specialty items.
• Grass-Fed Lamb Grass-fed lamb raised on 225 acres of certified-organic perennial pasture, including the farm's proprietary Mint Creek crossbreed sheep. Sold as rack chops, loin chops, leg of lamb, ground lamb, and specialty cuts.
• Pasture-Raised Goat Pasture-raised goat meat from Spanish, Kiko, Boer, and Alpine crossbreeds. Includes chops, shanks, stew meat, and specialty cuts marketed for its exceptionally lean and mild flavor profile.
• Heritage Boar Heritage breed wild boar raised on certified-organic Illinois prairie pastures, sold to consumers interested in specialty game-style meats.
• Pasture-Raised Chicken Pasture-raised heritage cross chickens fed certified-organic grain supplement. Includes whole fryers, chicken breast, thighs, wings, drumsticks, and stewing hens.
• Pasture-Raised Turkey Heritage breed turkeys including Bronze Breasted and Black Spanish Aztec varieties, fed certified-organic non-GMO grain. Sold whole or in parts, particularly for holiday consumption.
• Pasture-Raised Eggs Eggs from free-roaming laying hens fed on bugs, grass, and organic grains, sold by the dozen to consumers and CSA members.
• Bones and Organs Nutrient-dense bones and organ meats from all livestock species, including marrow bones, soup bones, liver, kidney, heart, tongue, and sweetbreads, targeted at consumers making bone broth and nose-to-tail preparations.
• CSA Subscription Program Subscription program offering Pick-up CSA, Home Delivery CSA, and Annual Monthly CSA shares of organic grass-fed meats and eggs. Members receive regular weekly or monthly installments at per-pound pricing below standard retail, with options for home delivery in Chicago, Oak Park, and Evanston.
• Bulk Meat Shares (Quarter/Half/Whole Animals) Volume-discounted bulk meat purchases including quarter cow (~$998), half cow (~$1,937), whole cow (~$3,750), quarter hog (~$363), half hog, whole hog, half lamb, whole lamb, and goat shares. Each share includes a variety of cuts at lower per-pound pricing, targeted at consumers seeking freezer stocking.
• Raw Honey Raw honey produced from beehives in Illinois organic pastures, featuring pasture flowers, wild mulberry, and prairie plants. Available in 1 lb and 5 lb sizes.
• Janie's Mill Grains and Flours Artisanal organic grains and flours sourced from Janie's Mill in Ashkum, IL, including flour varieties, cornmeal, polenta, oat flakes, buckwheat flour, spelt flour, and pizza flour.
• Nordic Creamery Dairy Products Artisanal dairy products resold from Nordic Creamery in Wisconsin, including cultured butter, goat butter, aged cheddar, sheep feta, smoked muenster, parmesan, A2/A2 mozzarella, and grumpy goat cheese.
• Digital Gift Cards Digital gift cards in denominations from $50 to $500 with no expiration date, redeemable against any farm store purchase.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years of continuous organic farming since 1992
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Janie's MillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organic and regenerative grain mill in Ashkum, IL that provides certified-organic grains and beans for feed (soybeans, black beans, corn, wheat, flax, oats, rye, triticale, barley, hemp seed, sunflower seeds). Janie's Mill also supplies consumer products sold through Mint Creek's store including flours, cornmeal, polenta, oat flakes, and popcorn.
• Phoenix Bean TofucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal artisanal tofu producer that provides Certified-Organic fermented okara (high-fiber soy ferment) for use as a probiotic/prebiotic supplement for sheep and goats. Also provides fermented soy fiber as a supplement for cattle.
• Eureka LockercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe only Certified-Organic butcher in Illinois. All Mint Creek Farm animals are brought to Eureka Locker for slaughter, ensuring the entire production process maintains organic certification from pasture to package.
• Nordic CreameryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAward-winning small batch dairy farm in Westby, Wisconsin. Provides artisanal cheeses (aged cheddar, grumpy goat, sheep feta, smoked muenster, parmesan, mozzarella) and butters (cultured butter, goat butter) that Mint Creek resells through their store.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Wild Pastures: Subscription-based pasture-raised meat delivery company sourcing from American family farms. Comparable to Mint Creek in pasture-raised credibility and subscription/DTC model, though national in shipping reach.
• Polyface Farm: Iconic pasture-based, rotational grazing farm in Virginia selling direct via on-farm and regional buyers. Closely comparable to Mint Creek in regenerative practices, multi-species operation, and direct-to-consumer sales model.
• Marin Sun Farms: California-based pasture-raised and grass-fed meat producer selling direct to consumers and chefs. Comparable to Mint Creek in regenerative grazing practices and DTC/wholesale mix, though regional to the West Coast.
• US Wellness Meats: Direct-to-consumer grass-fed meat and seafood retailer with strong online and subscription presence. Comparable to Mint Creek in grass-fed positioning and DTC/shipping model, though with broader nationwide reach.
• Crowd Cow: Direct-to-consumer meat subscription marketplace that aggregates supply from small American ranches. Comparable to Mint Creek in DTC/marketplace model and grass-fed/regenerative sourcing narrative, though operating at larger scale.
• Slagel Family Farm: Illinois-based family farm raising pasture-raised heritage livestock and selling direct to consumers and restaurants. Closely comparable to Mint Creek in scale, geography, and pasture-based heritage breed model.

Broad incumbents

• ButcherBox: Subscription-based meat and seafood delivery company selling 100% grass-fed beef and organic poultry. Comparable to Mint Creek via subscription muscle and grass-fed positioning, but at significantly larger scale and broader product range.
• Applegate Farms: National organic and natural meats brand owned by Hormel, selling through retail grocery. Comparable to Mint Creek in organic/natural meat positioning, though a broad incumbent with mass-market distribution.
• Niman Ranch: Network of over 700 small, independent U.S. family farms raising livestock traditionally and humanely. Comparable to Mint Creek in small-farm sustainable sourcing story, though operating at much larger wholesale and retail scale.

Emerging players

• Primal Pastures: Pasture-raised, soy-free meat and egg producer selling direct to consumers via online ordering. Comparable to Mint Creek in pasture-raised ethical sourcing and DTC e-commerce model, though at an earlier stage and smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mint Creek Farm