Maple Wind Farm

Maple Wind Farm operates a USDA-inspected establishment at 1149 East Main Street in Richmond, Vermont, in Chittenden County. The federal record lists establishment numbers M46942 and P46942, with FSIS activities of meat processing, poultry processing, and poultry slaughter. Poultry is the only species reported slaughtered under inspection, the plant is classified as very small, its slaughter volume category is 3.0, and the grant of inspection on file dates to February 2, 2022. No custom-exempt activity is reported to FSIS.

The farm's website describes a pasture-based, regenerative operation serving its community since 1999, raising pastured chicken, pastured pork, pastured turkey, grass-fed beef, and eggs. The site states that the farm built its own USDA meat processing facility, which uses an air-chilling system for poultry rather than ice water chilling, described on the site as the only such system in the state. The site also states that USDA inspection allows shipping across state lines and enables other local farmers to access the facility's standard of processing, and that pork is cut and packaged on site along with house made specialty pork products.

The website promotes a community equity offering described as an opportunity to invest in the farm, and mentions a CSA model, events, recipes, and a blog. Terms specific to processing other producers' animals, such as booking, minimums, or cut and wrap fees, are not stated in the material on file.

The website states that USDA inspection at the farm's facility enables other local farmers to access a high standard of processing, and the federal record confirms poultry slaughter plus meat and poultry processing under establishment numbers M46942 and P46942. Poultry is the only species listed as slaughtered under inspection, so red meat animals appear to be handled as processing rather than slaughter. No custom-exempt activity is reported to FSIS, which means work for a farmer's own freezer under a custom exemption is not part of the federal record here. Scheduling, lead times, minimum bird counts, kill fees, and cut and wrap charges are not stated in the sources on file; the site directs inquiries by email to orders@maplewindfarm.com.

Maple Wind Farm operates under a federal grant of inspection, so product from this plant can be sold anywhere in the United States, which matters if you sell online or across a state line. FSIS does not list a custom-exempt activity for this plant.

Households can buy directly through the on-farm market, described on the website as located in the big red barn about one mile from downtown Richmond, with easy parking, an expanded selection of the farm's meats, and curated products from other local producers. The website says the full range of cuts can be ordered online for next day pickup in the store. Site banners list free local delivery on orders over $60 and free UPS shipping on orders over $149, and the farm describes shipping to New England. Individual cuts are priced online, with examples including whole chicken from $24.00, boneless skinless chicken breast from $10.85, ground beef from $12.50, and bone-in pork rib and loin chops from $16.50. CSA shares are listed from $250.00. Halves and quarters of beef or pork are not mentioned in the material on file.

If you are buying a half or quarter animal, the plant is where the animal is processed; the farm sells you the animal. Read how to buy a half cow for the sequence and the math.