Santa Carota BEEF

For 35 years, the Pettit family has been upcycling waste carrots for cattle feed, challenging traditional ranching practices while producing exquisite beef.

- AMY WITT

For more than three decades, farmers at the Pettit Ranch in California have been feeding and raising their grass-fed cattle carrots. On average, more than 300,000 pounds of cull carrots are delivered to their operation every day. Located in the picturesque rolling hills and mountains of Kern County, Santa Carota Beef was built in conjunction with the top carrot producers and processors in the United States.

Since the inception of their cattle operation, three generations of Pettits have evolved their ranch into a sustainable cow-calf operation offering carrot-finished beef delivered directly to customers’ doorsteps anywhere in the nation. Today, Santa Carota’s gourmet cuts are highly coveted by chefs, restaurants, food enthusiasts and athletes worldwide.

WHY CARROTS?

Bill Bolthouse from Bolthouse Farms, a carrot company, challenged Arnold and Michael Pettit, father and son, to solve their wastewater issue. The Pettits leased 40 acres next to the carrot plant, leveled, planted and piped in the carrot company’s wastewater to grow alfalfa. This innovative solution fixed the water issue and provided additional feed sources for their cattle.

“By moving the wastewater off Bolthouse property, it dried up some ground,” Michael says.

“Carrots were an unknown commodity as cattle feed at that time. We experimented with different types, ages and weights of cattle to utilize the carrots as feed. After some time, Arnold, my dad, was offered the whole cull carrot contract at Bolthouse.”