Footsteps Farm Owner Craig Floyd Is No Conventional Farmer

There are plenty of lunatics in this world, but not enough “lunatic farmers” at least according to Craig Floyd, owner of Footsteps Farm in Stonington.

Floyd says he is “not stupid enough to be a conventional farmer.” Instead, he farms with nature, practicing principles to nurture the earth and raise happy animals that graze on the land 365 days a year. Floyd attempts to produce the cleanest, best tasting, most humanly treated animal products he possibly can.

“I believe we need to eat protein and meat, but I also believe that we need to treat the animals we are eating with respect,” Floyd said.

His 13-acre farm, located at, 11 Laurence Eleanor St., is the first and only one in the state to be a Certified Humane Farm. There are only 55 of these farms in the country. This distinction is a consumer certification and labeling program, which identifies, inspects and ensures that these farms are producing products with the welfare of the farm animal in mind.

“My animals get to see the blue skies and hear the birds singing and it makes a difference in the way their meat tastes,” Floyd said. “They give their lives for us, we should respect them and make sure they have good lives.”

Floyd is extremely passionate about his farming methods and doesn’t use any pesticides or growth hormones.

“There is nothing in my pork that shouldn’t be there,” he said confidently.

His 50 pigs are fed on pastures so their meat is flavored with sunshine, exercise, green grass and acorns.

 “We have happy pigs.”

The 64 year-old retired West Mystic Post Office worker is equally as passionate about family as he is about farming. His mission is to educate consumers about what they are eating, if not for themselves than for the sake of their children.

“Kids are the most important reason for knowing what we are eating,” Floyd said. “We are killing them with the food we are giving them.”

Floyd worries people don’t understand food labels and therefore don’t know anything about the food they eat of the food they give they children.

“Supermarkets are killing everyone,” Floyd said. “Get out of them and establish a relationship with a local farmer or farmers. Small farmers can feed the world, and regenerate the earth while we are doing it. We need to work with Mother Nature.”

Floyd instituted the concept of rotational farming, which means that different species complement each other as they graze, play and rest in pastures.

“The chickens aerate the soil so the grass grows better for the cows and the pigs spread the cow manure to fertilize the fields,” Floyd explained. “It all works together if we let it.”

Maybe Floyd is such a good farmer because it is literally in his blood. Since 1712 his family has been farming the land. He explained that the name Footsteps Farm came from the realization that wherever he steps on his farm, he is stepping in the footsteps of his ancestors.

Following their lead, Floyd said he doesn’t push his animals.

“It takes 14 hours of sunlight for a hen to lay eggs, so in the winter we give them a break from laying.”

He also said he doesn’t send his pigs to slaughter until they are approximately 100 pounds heavier than most other pigs.

“The extra time for growth and weight gain makes the pork taste better and is better for the animals,” he said, admitting he won’t be getting rich anytime soon.

However, his quality products and compassionate farming methods are recognized in the healthy food arena. Faith Middleton praised Floyd’s pork on her WNPR show, “Food Schmooze” and Martha Stewart, specifically requested Floyd’s turkeys and chickens.

Floyd said his message is an easy one: support local farmers, know what you are eating, do your own research and stay out of grocery stores.

Footsteps Farm’s products can be purchased through Connecticut Farm Fresh Express.