100% Grass Fed, Grass Finished Beef...It's That Simple
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Our Story

My father and I have been raising cattle for over 40 years. We started Sun Prairie in 2005 selling 100% grass fed and finished beef to friends and family. Now we connect with individuals, couples, and families across Colorado and the surrounding states selling grass fed beef direct. In 2018, we started a humanely-raised, heritage pork operation to further establish the viability of values-based agriculture. We trust you will enjoy the benefits of sourcing quality meat by eating better, healthier, and tastier meals. –Keith Parks, Co-Owner

Keith Parks is a co-owner of Sun Prairie. When Keith worked as an outdoor guide, he visited a grass fed ranch in Wyoming in 2003. Armed with steaks from the ranch, Keith pitched Sun Prairie to his father, Tom Parks, and Sun Prairie was born. Sun Prairie satisfies Keith’s interests in environmental stewardship and local food production by providing a healthy, sustainable alternative to conventional beef. Keith now works as a renewable energy analyst in Denver Colorado. He is also the President of Mile High Farmers, an organization promoting collaboration among Metro Area farmers and their communities. He manages Sun Prairie’s marketing and sales and can be found fixing fence on the weekends at the ranch.
Tom Parks is a life-long large animal veterinarian (now retired), rancher for over 40 years, and owner of Sun Prairie. His passion for animal husbandry and welfare extends beyond his ranch and vet practice. Tom is an active member of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, a progressive agriculture organization ensuring family stays in family farms. He has championed state legislation to increase animal welfare standards in dairies and ranches. Currently, he is a range inspector for the American Grassfed Association, a third-party agency certifying 100% grass fed, free range, and natural beef. Tom lives in Yuma Colorado and manages the day-to-day operations of Sun Prairie.

Our Story Began…

Tom and Keith are a father/son duo behind Sun Prairie. Motivated by the 2003 seminal article “Power Steer” by Michael Pollen, Keith and Tom committed themselves to produce 100% grass fed and finished cattle. In 2005, with twenty five years of ranching already behind them with the prior ten as an all-natural ranch, they started Sun Prairie. The management of the ranch was modified to ensure forage and/or hay availability year round. Our rotational grazing practices became even more critical to success. Our focus expanded from husbandry of cattle to husbandry of soil, water, and people.

Sun Prairie started at a Denver farmers markets (South Pearl Street) along with a very basic web presence that collected names and emails. That eventually turned into a on-line store – and eventually into the website you see now. We initially distributed only via quarterly front range pick-ups – including locations from Fort Collins to Monument; a practice we continue to this day. in 2010, we designed and developed tools to manufacture our simple insulated boxes. This enables us to ship across Colorado and surrounding states.

In 2018, we started a humanely raised, heritage pork operation. This was an extension of Tom’s work to rebuild pig farms in NE Colorado, connecting individuals with markets serving top end grocery stores.

Sun Prairie is a lot more than just the two of us – its a community that includes you, the land, and the animals we raise. That’s why we always talk about Sun Prairie as much bigger than a couple part-time cowboys, a ranch, or a box of beef. It’s the idea that together, all of us, we can make positive change for our health, the environment, and animals.

2020 Sun Prairie