Posts that chide people for not buying local but don’t tell you how to buy local? Cancelled.
In most of the US you must have a USDA license to sell meat products that you’ve grown and processed yourselves. Small farms may not be allowed to sell meat directly to you unless it’s been processed at an inspected & licensed facility.
In my corner of the world it usually works like this - person A has a cow or cows they wish to turn into hamburgers. Person A finds out how much it’s going to cost to have the cow processed and asks people in their community if they’d like to go in on a half or quarter of a cow. Alternatively person A has the cow hamburgled and then asks the internet if they’d like to buy cow bits. Cow gets burgered, money changes hands, ???, steaks.
I see advertisements for “sides” “quarters” and various specific cuts of meat already processed on Facebook a lot but I’m in the kinds of local farm groups where those transactions take place. If you aren’t there are several websites set up specifically to connect buyers and local sellers.
Americangrassfed.org and localharvest.org are two that are widely used. Alternatively search “your State Farm swap” on Facebook and you’ll probably find a group that supports this kind of thing. You can also look for your local USDA processors online. Some will sell product direct some will not, but they are generally a good resource for contacts. I know several here in Oklahoma and Texas and they’ve been a wealth of knowledge.
Eggs? Ask on Nextdoor or another local social media group. Someone in your vicinity probably has hens.
If you’re in a more urban area you can also go the good old farmers market or co-op route. There’s almost definitely one near you, expect to spend a bit more and have more of an open mind when shopping but if you aren’t finding what you need ASK! people who raise and grow things know other people who raise and grow things. They may have a contact for someone who has what you want.
Anyways. That’s my big disjointed post. Please add to it if you have other resources.
