If you’ve ever visited the Thursday market under the Harris Pavilion in downtown Manassas, you’ve likely seen American Heritage Family Farm there with their cooler van and checkered tablecloth. Not only do they provide shoppers with high-quality meats and eggs but also a deep understanding of where your food comes from and why that matters.
Located in Warrenton, Virginia, American Heritage Family Farm is run by Joe and Katey Saffer who are building strong roots in sustainable, responsible animal husbandry. They raise around 300 cattle in total, with 12 to 15 on a designated feeding farm at any given time. Their beef cattle are a mix of Angus and Charolais breeds, selected for quality and flavor. They also raise sheep, heritage-breed pigs, free-roaming laying hens, and turkeys toward the end of the season.
What sets this farm apart is not just the variety of proteins but the care that goes into every step of their process. All animals are pasture-raised, which naturally reduces crowding, lowers stress, and decreases the likelihood of disease and flies, meaning fewer antibiotics are needed. When animals do get sick, they’re treated as needed, but proactive health management is a priority. The farm performs regular wellness checks, including pregnancy screenings and vaccinations, to ensure herd health remains strong.
One of the most unique features of American Heritage Family Farm is their custom-blended feed program. They grow and mill their own non-GMO grain, giving them complete control over the feed supply. Each animal receives a tailored diet curated in collaboration with veterinarians. This not only supports animal health and quality meat production, but it also allows the farm to keep prices fair for their customers, no small feat in today’s agricultural economy. As part of their approach, cattle are grain-finished to naturally enhance marbling—resulting in richer flavor and a more tender, tastier end product.
For mama cows nursing calves through the cold winter months, this extra energy from grain also provides essential calories to maintain body condition and support healthy development in their young. It’s a thoughtful process that balances animal welfare with a superior eating experience.
But their sustainability efforts don’t stop there. The farm works hard to reduce waste and increase the value of every animal they raise. Organ meats and freezer-burned cuts are converted into nutritious pet treats, while beef tallow is rendered into handcrafted body products. These are thoughtful, full circle uses that demonstrate the family’s commitment to respectful and resourceful farming.
The egg-laying chickens at the farm enjoy free-roaming space and are growing in number, another chicken house is currently under construction to accommodate their expanding flock. Their eggs, like all their products, reflect the farm’s values: fresh, honest, and carefully raised.
Whether you’re shopping for nutrient-dense meats, pasture-raised eggs, or sustainable skincare, American Heritage Family Farm offers more than just food, it offers transparency, stewardship, and trust. Be sure to stop by their booth on Thursdays and ask about their farming practices. You’ll walk away with more than groceries; you’ll leave with a deeper connection to your food and the people who produce it.
To learn more or see life on the farm, visit ahfamilyfarm.com or follow along on social media (@ahfamilyfarm) for behind-the-scenes stories, product updates, and a look at what’s happening back on the farm.
By Brooke Wiseman, MS, RDN, LDN, a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems.
Follow on IG @onechancenutrition
