The bounty of our region’s farms and food producers is evident each summer, when outdoor farmer’s markets, seasonal dinners, and local food festivals happen almost daily. As fall and winter approach, however, it might seem like everything is headed for hibernation.

That’s not the case at local dining establishments Otto’s Pub & Brewery and Barrel 21 Distillery & Dining, where nearly all the high-quality beef they serve is raised just twenty minutes down the road in Penns Valley, at A.V. Farms.

A.V. Farms is the latest iteration of the farming tradition that spans four generations of the Kunes family history. From the apple orchard and Hereford cattle their family began with in the 1930s, to the herd of more than 200 cattle they have cultivated today, their connections with the Pennsylvania farmland run decades deep. And they are determined to continue strengthening these connections through our farming practices today.

Otto’s has been serving this delicious local beef for almost a decade, and Barrel 21 since their opening. The cattle are raised with the highest standards of care in mind: they are left to roam their pastures freely; they are fed the spent grain from Otto’s Brewery, and hay that has been grown and harvested directly from A.V. Farms’ own fields. The cows are antibiotic-free and never treated with growth hormones.  From the farm to the table, you know exactly what goes into the beef because everything from the cattle to their food has been sourced locally.

The chefs at Barrel 21 have catered the menu to highlight the beef, creating dishes that utilize every cut of meat – even the unusual ones like tongue and tail. While this might mean that some of these unique cuts are limited in availability, it is a more sustainable practice and requires both creativity and spontaneity on the part of the chefs, who creatively use every part of the animal that is provided.

The next time you’re looking to enjoy local foods in the Centre region, consider a stop at Otto’s or Barrel 21. They have dedicated their kitchens as a place where locally raised food can be prepared year-round, and A.V. Farms works hard in our unpredictable PA weather to make sure that their cows are healthy and happy. You will taste the difference!