Our eggs come in a beautiful variety of natural sizes and colors.

The "11 AM Rule" ☀️

We follow a strict 11 AM release rule. By waiting until the morning nesting is done, we ensure our hens stay close to home during their peak laying hours, resulting in cleaner, fresher eggs. We then open their gates to 45 acres of lush pasture and forest, where they roam until dusk.

Beyond Pasture-Raised

While industry "Pasture-Raised" standards require only 108 sq. feet per bird, our hens enjoy a vast environment. Currently home to 1,000 happy hens—and expanding to a sustainable flock of 2,500—our 45-acre forest in Westerlo, NY, ensures every bird has the freedom to roam.

• Massive Scale of Freedom: Even at our planned expansion to 2,500 hens, our birds have nearly 8 times the space of a standard pasture-raised hen and 300 times the space of an organic hen.

By foraging for wild insects, seeds, and plants, our hens produce flavorful, nutrient-dense eggs that standard pasture grass alone can't provide. Experience the difference of forest-raised quality delivered straight to your doorstep in New Jersey and New York.

The Nutritional Advantage (Science-Backed)

According to a Pennsylvania State University study, eggs from hens with access to diverse environments (like Pasture-Raised) are significantly healthier than traditional eggs:

• 2x more Omega-3 fats

• 3x more Vitamin D

• 4x more Vitamin E

• 7x more Beta-Carotene (giving our yolks that deep orange glow)

Egg Freshness: Steward Hill Farm (Direct) vs. Grocery Store

Egg Production Comparison: How We Stand Out

Egg Production Comparison with Organic : How We Stand Out

Why "Forest-Raised" Beats "Organic"

Many people buy Organic eggs thinking the chickens are happy in a field. In reality, "Organic" only regulates the feed. Most organic hens are still kept in massive barns with only a small "outdoor area" that many birds never even find.

Steward Hill Farm goes beyond:

1. Massive Scale of Freedom: Even at our planned expansion to 2,500 hens, our birds have nearly 8 times the space of a standard pasture-raised hen and 300 times the space of an organic hen.

2. The Forest Advantage: Pasture grass is great, but a Forest provides a much more diverse "buffet" of protein-rich insects and wild seeds. This is why our yolks are a deep, vibrant orange compared to the pale yellow of store-bought organic eggs.

3. Hand-Collected Freshness: Organic eggs in grocery stores can be 3-4 weeks old by the time you buy them. We hand-collect at 11 AM and 3 PM and deliver them to you at peak freshness.

4. The claim that grocery store eggs are often 3 to 4 weeks old is based on USDA grading and labeling regulations. Here are the key facts that support this:

   • The "Pack Date": The USDA allows eggs to be packed up to 30 days after they are laid. This is indicated on the carton by a three-digit "Julian Date" (e.g., 001 for January 1st).

   • The "Sell-By" Date: Once packed, the "Sell-By" date can be up to another 30 days after the pack date.

   • Logistics: Large-scale organic brands often use centralized packing facilities. Eggs must be collected from various farms, transported to a cooling facility, graded, packed, and then shipped to a distribution center before finally arriving at a grocery store in New Jersey or New York.

   By the time a consumer picks up a carton of organic eggs, it is very common for the eggs to be 21 to 28 days (3–4 weeks) past the lay date, even if they are still well within their "Sell-By" window.

   In contrast, since our hand-collect twice daily and deliver directly on Sundays, our eggs are typically only 1 to 7 days old, which is a significant freshness advantage to highlight for your customers.

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