If you have ever wondered if meat products from animals that are treated well do taste better than animals raised in factory farms, having some of the 3 Sisters products will help you recognize the difference.
3 Sisters products, named for Jennifer, Jessica and Roshel, are available in most of the local Whidbey Island grocery stories and at their retail store at 779 Holbrook, just off Highway 20 in Coupeville. Originally the family raised chickens. When they first acquired cows, they were operating as a dairy farm.
The farm now occupies 1,000 acres. They currently have 150 mom and baby cows, 100 hogs and 75 lambs. Chickens roam the farm, as well. In addition to family members, the farm has 1 full time and 2 part time employees.
Their current meat products include:
- Beef that is 100% grass fed and finished.
- Pork that has a diet of barley that is grown and ground at their farm.
- Lamb that is 100% grass fed and finished.
- Chicken that are fed a special barley diet.
The Muzzall family purchased 20 acres on Whidbey in 1910. They originally raised turkeys and chickens, then it became a dairy farm. The three Muzzall daughters, who are the fifth generation to work on the property, became involved in all aspects of the farm when they were young people. The sisters worked at the farm from the time they were young children and were expected to do a variety of chores.
When the sisters graduated high school, they each attended college. Jennifer majored in Criminal Justice at the University of Great Falls in Montana. Jessica got a two-year degree from Skagit Community College. Rachel majored in Business Management.
Today, Jennifer is in charge of raising all of the animals and Roshel runs the 3 Sisters Market in Coupeville and handles the business side of their animal products. Sister, Jessica is a local realtor.
Jennifer and Rochel comment: “We love what we do.” They add, “Our animals are our little friends.”
The retail store on Holbrook specializes in the products from their farm, but they also sell only local products.
The say there are two themes that are especially important to the Donwen sisters: being part of their family operation and focusing on being a community based operation.
To learn more about 3 Sisters products visit their website.
