FAQ

We wanted to build something different — a system that encourages diverse plant life, improves the soil every year, and feeds our community with real nutrient-dense food. Instead of following the industrial model, we’re experimenting with practices that leave the land healthier than we found it.

It means our birds live outdoors and are moved regularly to fresh ground. They scratch, peck, and forage the way chickens and turkeys are meant to, which keeps them healthy and naturally adds fertility back into our soil.

Those approaches often strip the land of nutrients and reduce long-term fertility. We’re building soil, not depleting it—so we use rotational grazing, diverse plantings, and minimal soil disturbance to keep the land alive and thriving.

A food forest is a mix of trees, shrubs, and plants designed to mimic a natural ecosystem. We’ve planted nut and fruit trees, a wide array of berries and other perennial plants, to create a diverse system that feeds both people and the soil. It’s farming that works with nature, not against it.

Yes, we absolutely still sell eggs! We offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly egg CSA options. Since we add new customers based on availability, we don’t have an online sign-up. To join our CSA or learn more, just send us an email at hello@ello.farm. We’re excited to share our fresh, pasture-raised eggs with you!

Our hens live outside on pasture, with fresh grass, bugs, and sunshine every day. That lifestyle gives their eggs bright golden yolks, firm whites, and a flavor you can actually taste. They’re gathered fresh and delivered straight to you—never sitting in a warehouse for weeks.

Pasture-raised chickens have a rich, full flavor thanks to their active lives outdoors. They shine when cooked with care—think roasting, braising, or spatchcocking at a steady heat. Using a thermometer helps ensure tender, juicy meat every time.

Our pasture-raised turkeys take on a deep, natural flavor that really shines with the right preparation. We recommend spatchcocking the bird and trying Samin Nosrat’s buttermilk-brined roast method from the New York Times — it gives you tender meat and beautifully crisp skin. Allow about 24 hours in the fridge for every 5 pounds when thawing, and cook until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F. The result is a turkey that’s juicy, flavorful, and unforgettable.

Our chickens and turkeys are frozen at the time of pickup to ensure maximum freshness and quality. Freezing locks in the natural flavors and nutrients from our pasture-raised birds, allowing you to enjoy farm-fresh taste at your convenience. This process also helps reduce food waste by extending shelf life without the need for preservatives.

A stew hen is a mature hen that has finished her laying cycle. These hens have spent their life on fresh pasture, actively foraging for grubs and insects, which contributes to their rich, complex flavor.

Enjoy cooking with stew hens to savor the full benefit of pastured, well-cared-for poultry!

Stew hens are best suited for slow, gentle cooking methods such as simmering in soups, stocks, or stews. Because these birds are more mature, their meat is firmer and benefits from long cooking times to become tender.

The meat and bones of stew hens are richly flavored from their natural diet and pasture life. Slow simmering extracts deep, hearty flavors, making your soups and stocks especially savory and nutrient-rich.

Absolutely! Use the whole bird — the meat for stews or shredded chicken dishes, and the carcass for making robust homemade stock. This ensures nothing goes to waste and maximizes the delicious, wholesome flavor of the hen.

Right now, we deliver eggs to customers in East and North Portland. We’re exploring ways to expand as we grow.

For now, most of our sales are through direct delivery and our website. Keep an eye out for us at local markets — we’ll share updates in our newsletter and on Instagram.

Yes! We welcome visitors by appointment only. As a small family farm, we take great pride in the hard work and care we put into our regenerative farming and land restoration practices. Sharing this journey with others brings us immense joy, and we love showing how our sustainable efforts are helping the land thrive. If you'd like to experience Ello Farm firsthand, please reach out to set up a visit.