Why Family Farmers Raise Grass-Feed Beef  Verlinda and Dave
Waters, River Ridge Farms The life that took two young people
away from their family farms in rural Tennessee took a stunning
turn several years later.  The diagnosis of cancer challenged
Verlinda Waters to overcome the disease and get strong again.
 As her husband, Dave, supported her in this effort, and as
their sons went off to college, they felt their lives were
destined to be back at the farm.   "In '97, Verlinda had colon
cancer. I guess that was the real wake up call that we gotta
look at what we're doing," explained her husband, "We just
started reading and learning more."  Despite the typical
oncologist's cautions to avoid red meat, the Waters eventually
took another approach. They learned about the benefits of
nutrient-dense, naturally raised farm products through an
educational group called the Weston A. Price Foundation. Red
Devon and Tarentaise Cattle graze nearly year-around  on a
variety of pastures Red Devon bull Dave said, "In 2002 w