River Basin Farms, LLC

03/01/2026

Rich Yolks, Happy Hens!

02/18/2026

We have been asked about price over others. Slightly over $6 per pound for eggs in certain markets. Other Artisan products priced locally:
Breads ~ $5/lbs, garlic ~ $18/lbs, chard ~ $15/lbs, Pea shoots ~ $22/lbs, Beets ~ $3.60/lbs, mushrooms ~ $12,/lbs shaved steak ~ $12/lbs, ground beef ~ $10/lbs, cheese ~ $20/lbs.

Also, we have been asked why Animal Welfare Approved over Organic.

Key Reasons to Choose Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) Over Organic:

Mandatory Pasture Access: AWA certification requires that hens have meaningful, daily access to pasture. While organic standards require outdoor access, "organic" hens may have minimal space or, in some cases, limited access to truly pasture-like conditions, whereas AWA ensures they can roam.

Superior Living Conditions: AWA ensures hens have more space to move, reducing stress and illness. Organic flocks can still be quite large (up to 3,000 hens), while AWA focuses on smaller, more manageable flock sizes that allow for better individual care.

Natural Behavior Priority: AWA standards mandate that hens are able to perform natural behaviors such as foraging for bugs, nesting, and taking dust baths.

Higher Nutritional Value: Eggs from pasture-raised hens (which align with AWA standards) often have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, and beta-carotene due to their varied, natural diet of plants and insects, compared to standard organic eggs.

Traceability: AWA certification provides strict, third-party audits to ensure the farms are adhering to these high standards, offering more assurance than general organic labels.

In short, while organic eggs focus on what the hen eats (non-GMO, organic feed), AWA eggs focus on how the hen lives (pasture-raised, high welfare), which generally leads to healthier hens and more nutritious eggs. This equals higher production costs to maintain a healthy flock to meet the standards.

01/09/2026

We are back on farmdrop.us and in most markets.

10/29/2025

Well, we have had a decrease in eggs and have been scouting for their new laying area. Yesterday chirp chirp chirp was coming from our black raspberry bushes and outside their fence. Surprise! Wonder how many more surprises we are going to be receiving before winter....

09/07/2025

Egg update:
We have had to make a painful decision on raising prices. The cost of feed in the eight months of 2025 has gone up nearly 20% for our chickens. This, mixed with the
increases to the costs of supplies has become too much. We had absorbed this as long as possible but now are in the position of passing this to our customers. Both retail and wholesale customers will see prices go up by $1.00 per dozen, effective October 1.

As our long time customers know, we do lower prices when costs come down for us. We cannot guarantee this, but remain hopeful that we can look forward to this.

We are thankful for each one of you and this is what we do for you: Our annual on-farm audit verifying our humane practices - which get us listed in the ASCPA's Shop With Your Heart's farmer directory, we are also looking to implement quarterly salmonella testing on our flock as well, as what we already do with annual well testing and soil samples to make sure our farm is exceeding standards for your and our food.

07/19/2025

06/08/2025

Not sure what is attracting them to the compost pile, but what a sight!

06/07/2025

At the emergency vet since 10 this morning. Rosie had a dozen of these in her back leg and many were broken down to near the skin. 430 they finally brought her in to be sedated. I should have kept studying for Vet school instead of doing ETOH science experiments in college. She is back home now and has not moved.

05/27/2025

One gains a new appreciation for winters past, you remember those long bitter cold ones? Trying to work outside and unlocked a gaggle of ticks.

05/14/2025

Guess we made the Bangor Daily News with our Fund-a-Farmer Grant from which was funded by the ASCPA.
The chickens are happily protected and are now on their second place of grazing. Hopefully they can help keep the ticks at bay!

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/04/02/bdn-maine/river-basin-farms-receives-grant-from-food-animal-concerns-trust/

05/11/2025

Well, the Brood got together and got our favorite Chicken Tender a brand new lawnmower. Happy Mother's day!

05/04/2025

Owl found a snake in this rain!