Meet the Farmers

In 2010, the idea of raising pasture-raised poultry in Moniteau County might have seemed crazy to some. Most poultry farms in the area were large-scale concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), producing hundreds of thousands of birds annually. But Matt and Eleanor Tiefenbrun had a different vision. They dreamed of offering their community sustainable, locally raised food while strengthening the local food system. That vision took root when they purchased a farm outside of California, MO, and started raising chickens and turkeys on pasture. That dream’s name is Buttonwood Farm.

As Buttonwood Farm has expanded, it’s remained deeply connected to its local community.  From the beginning, they partnered with nearby Mennonite farms in Moniteau and Morgan Counties, relying on Shady Maple Farm for high-quality, humane processing.  As demand grew, Buttonwood brought in additional local farms to help raise chicks, graze adult birds on pasture, and manage pastured laying hens.  

Unlike large conventional poultry operations, which keep birds indoors in confined spaces virtually their whole lives, Buttonwood’s chickens and turkeys are pasture-raised. Raising poultry on pasture offers significant environmental and animal welfare benefits. Birds forage for insects and plants, which generally improves their quality of life and results in healthier, more nutrient-dense meat and eggs. This method can also regenerate the soil through natural fertilization, all while reducing the need for synthetic inputs and allowing land to rejuvenate through rotational grazing.

By 2017, as business expanded beyond what the Tiefenbruns could manage alone, they hired Logan Solomon as their operations and logistics expert.  With Logan's support, Buttonwood sustainably increased production, bringing in more local partners and expanding delivery routes to Kansas City, Columbia, and Jefferson City, while maintaining their strong ties in St. Louis.  In early 2024, Buttonwood built a new headquarters even closer to their partner farms.  All the farms remain within a ten-mile radius, minimizing waste and maintaining their commitment to local, sustainable practices.

In 2024, Buttonwood Farm merged with Eat Here STL, a distributor dedicated to fresh, local food in the St. Louis area. This merger allows Buttonwood to not only continue providing their renowned sustainably raised poultry and eggs but also to support a growing network of local producers.  Today, you can find Buttonwood’s poultry, eggs, and now many other locally sourced foods, in restaurants and stores across St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Springfield. And come Thanksgiving, their free-range turkeys are always a favorite on holiday tables.