When it comes to raising animals with care and respect, few names carry the weight of Dr. Temple Grandin. As an animal behaviorist, autism advocate, and professor of animal science, her work has reshaped the livestock industry—not just by improving systems, but by changing hearts.
At Windy Oaks Farm, we don’t believe in shortcuts. We believe in raising our animals the right way—with dignity, low stress, and thoughtful handling—and Temple Grandin’s studies have been instrumental in helping us do just that.
What Temple Grandin Teaches Us
Dr. Grandin’s research proves what many of us already feel in our bones: animals are sentient, sensitive beings. They experience fear and calm. They respond to sound, movement, and environment. And they deserve to be treated with respect throughout their entire lives—not just because it’s good for business, but because it’s right.
She’s taught the world that:
Animals thrive in low-stress environments
Fear and rough handling cause suffering and poor meat quality
Thoughtful design of animal spaces (like curved alleys and quiet handling) reduces panic
Observing animals’ natural behaviors can guide better farm management
We take these lessons seriously and weave them into every part of our farm.
How We Apply Her Principles at Windy Oaks
At Windy Oaks, we model our livestock handling systems after Grandin’s teachings. That means:
Calm, consistent interaction with animals from a young age
Slow, deliberate movement when guiding them
Quiet handling spaces free from unnecessary noise or visual stressors
No electric prods, loud yelling, or forceful pushing—ever
Transport and harvest are done humanely and respectfully, with trusted partners who also value ethical treatment
We do this not just to create a better product, but because we genuinely care about our animals' experience of life.
Why It Matters to You
When animals live in calm, natural conditions, everyone benefits:
The meat is more tender and flavorful, free from stress hormones
The animals live healthier, happier lives
The entire system—from pasture to plate—becomes more humane and sustainable
By following Temple Grandin’s work, we make a conscious choice to slow down, observe, and respect the intelligence and sensitivity of our animals.
The Bigger Picture
Temple Grandin once said, “We’ve got to treat animals right, and that means giving them a decent life and a painless death. They deserve that much.”
We couldn’t agree more.
At Windy Oaks Farm, our mission isn’t just to produce nutrient-dense, pasture-raised beef. It’s to raise that beef with integrity—from start to finish. We honor the lives of our animals by caring for them every day, not just at the end. That’s what ethical ranching looks like. And that’s the kind of beef we’re proud to offer our community.
Taste the Difference Respect Makes
We invite you to experience beef raised with thought, not just feed. Browse our online farm store to order individual cuts or reserve a whole or half cow.
When you choose Windy Oaks beef, you’re choosing a better life for animals—and a better future for us all.