American Ostrich Farms: An Idaho ranch dedicated to health, the planet, and community

Photos by Marilyn Isaac Photography

By Samantha Stetzer

What if there was a red meat source that was both packed with protein and considered one of the healthiest meats? Better yet, what if came from an animal that was raised humanely, naturally eco-friendly, and manufactured locally?

That’s exactly what health- and eco-conscious customers of American Ostrich Farms get when consuming one of the ranch’s products: ostrich meat, a nutrient-dense alternative to red meat that doesn’t cause all the problems of other red meats.

After discovering the benefits of ostrich farming and meat in South America, Alexander McCoy, a newcomer to the agriculture industry who also happened to be an athlete keenly aware of the ways in which his carnivore-based diet was impacting the environment, brought the idea to Kuna, Idaho, in 2014.

Today, American Ostrich Farms sustainably raises nutrient-dense ostrich meat and has since expanded into offering ostrich oil, a natural moisturizer rendered from ostrich fat, according to American Ostrich Farms Marketing Manager, Jess Roth. Additionally, the ranch produces treats for pets.

“We are making sure we use every byproduct of our operation,” Roth explained.

The company also founded a sister operation, Sustainable Meats, which is a USDA-inspected slaughterhouse on the same property as the ranch that serves other local ranchers by processing other meats, such as lamb and beef.

This allows American Ostrich Farms to create a “hatch-to-harvest” operation, Roth explained, which focuses on responsible, ethical, and humane living conditions for its animals, limits the stress of its animals during transportation, and curbs its environmental footprint – which is already less than other forms of red meat farming because the large bird’s biology is highly efficient, requiring fewer inputs while also generating less waste.

As a lifelong participant in the agriculture world, Facility Manager at Sustainable Meats, Jessica Jimenez, said American Ostrich Farms is offering a refreshing take on the industry: one that prioritizes its employees, the planet, and its community.

“I love being able to help these smaller ranchers grow their business and being able to support their families while doing it,” Jimenez said, adding, “My employees are not just a number.”

Lately, American Ostrich Farms has partnered with FARE Idaho. Roth explained this has prompted American Ostrich Farms to begin offering its products in local stores and to start selling at the Boise Farmer’s Market. With FARE’s support, American Ostrich Farms is moving closer to making ostrich meat and all its benefits mainstream.

“Once you try it, you realize it’s really, really approachable,” Roth said.