Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our products, ordering, delivery, and more.
Ordering & Products
How does the pre-order process work for beef and pork?
Place a deposit to reserve your beef or pork. We will contact you when processing time approaches to arrange butcher pickup. The deposit goes toward your total cost, which is calculated based on hanging weight.
When is pork available?
Our pigs go to the butcher each summer. The Summer 2027 butcher windows run mid-June through the end of August 2027. A deposit reserves your half or whole pig — see the pork page for current deposit availability.
What is the difference between Small and Medium Animal beef?
Small animals have approximately 400 lbs hanging weight (100 lbs per quarter, 200 per half). Medium animals are approximately 550 lbs hanging weight (136 lbs per quarter, 275 per half). Medium animals offer more meat per order and are great value for larger families. All beef is sold at $6.50 per pound hanging weight plus butcher costs.
Can I choose my own cuts?
Yes! You will work directly with the butcher to customize your cut sheet. Typical selections include steaks (ribeye, NY strip, sirloin), roasts, ground beef, stew meat, chops, bacon, sausage, and more.
Do you offer individual cuts of beef or pork?
Currently we only offer bulk orders (quarter, half, or whole animals). This allows us to keep prices affordable and ensure you get the freshest product possible.
Are your products truly grass-fed and pasture-raised?
Absolutely. Our cattle eat only grass and hay - never grain. Our pigs roam freely on pasture and are supplemented with a non-GMO diet. No antibiotics or hormones are ever used. All of our meat is butchered at local state inspected butcher shops.
Are beef and pork deposits refundable?
No. When you place a deposit, you are committing to purchase a share of a live animal. For pork, we purchase the pig specifically for your order. Because of these commitments, all deposits are non-refundable and orders cannot be cancelled. The only exception is if we are unable to deliver your order — in that case, your deposit is refunded in full.
Why can’t I cancel my beef or pork order after placing a deposit?
When you place a deposit, we commit real resources on your behalf — scheduling processing dates, reserving your share of an animal, and for pork, purchasing a pig specifically for you. A cancellation after that point leaves us with committed costs and no customer for that animal. This is standard practice for small farms selling bulk meat, and it allows us to keep prices fair for everyone.
Pickup, Delivery & Shipping
Where do I pick up beef and pork orders?
All beef and pork orders are picked up directly at the butcher. We will share butcher details, location, and pickup scheduling with you before your animal is processed. Beef and pork are not available for delivery or shipping.
What products are available for local delivery?
We deliver eggs, tallow products, coffee, tea, herbs, and spices throughout Erie County, PA (19 zip codes). Eggs require a subscription for delivery. Other products can be added to any scheduled delivery. Deliveries are made by Deer Run Acres over the 1st and 3rd weekends of each month with a $6 delivery fee per stop.
Do you ship products nationwide?
Yes! Tallow products, coffee, tea, herbs, and spices are available for US shipping anywhere in the United States. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout. Note: Eggs and meat (beef and pork) are NOT available for US shipping.
Can I buy eggs without a subscription?
Absolutely! Stop by our roadside farm stand at 6823 Old State Rd, Edinboro, PA 16412 anytime — self-serve, cash or check, or card on orders of $20 or more. Egg delivery to your door within Erie County requires a subscription.
How is bulk meat packaged?
All beef and pork comes frozen and vacuum-sealed from the butcher. It is cut and wrapped to your specifications.
Payment & Pricing
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, and Link (all via Stripe), as well as checks mailed to our farm and cash. A 3% processing fee applies to beef and pork deposits paid online. Pay by check or cash to avoid the fee.
Why is there a 3% credit card fee?
Payment processors charge us fees on every online transaction. For beef and pork deposits, we pass this along as a 3% fee rather than hiding it in higher prices. This applies whether you pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, or Link. You can pay beef and pork deposits by check or cash to avoid the fee.
How much does a beef deposit cost?
Deposits vary by animal size and portion. For a small animal: $300 (quarter), $600 (half), $1,200 (whole). For a medium animal: $450 (quarter), $900 (half), $1,800 (whole). The deposit goes toward your final total. If paying by credit card, a 3% processing fee is added at checkout.
How much does a pork deposit cost?
$275 for a half pig and $550 for a whole pig. The deposit goes toward your final total. If paying by credit card, a 3% processing fee is added at checkout.
How is the final beef price calculated?
Beef is sold at $6.50 per pound hanging weight plus butcher costs (approximately $1/lb). Purchasing involves 3 payments: (1) your deposit to reserve, (2) hanging weight x $6.50 minus deposit, paid to Deer Run Acres at slaughter, and (3) butcher fees paid directly to the butcher at pickup. For example, a whole small animal at 400# = $2,600 + ~$400 butcher fees = ~$3,000 estimated total.
How is the final pork price calculated?
Pork is sold at $5.00 per pound hanging weight plus butcher costs ($1.00–$1.70 per pound, depending on the cuts, smoking, and sausage you request). Purchasing involves 3 payments: (1) your deposit to reserve, (2) hanging weight x $5.00 minus deposit, paid to Deer Run Acres at slaughter, and (3) butcher fees paid directly to the butcher at pickup. A half pig runs 90–120 lbs hanging weight; a whole pig runs 180–240 lbs.
Subscriptions & Delivery
What products can I subscribe to?
Eggs and coffee. Egg subscriptions are delivered to your door once a month or twice a month, within our Erie County, PA delivery area (19 zip codes), with a $6 delivery fee per stop. Coffee subscriptions ship anywhere in the US and arrive every 4 weeks on whichever plan you pick: Every 4 Weeks (ongoing, save 5%), 3-Month (3 shipments, paid upfront, save 10%), or Yearly (13 shipments, paid upfront, save 10% with your first welcome shipment free).
What are the benefits of an egg subscription?
The benefit is hassle-free delivery of locally raised, farm fresh, pasture raised eggs right to your door. No discount is applied — just the convenience of never running out of farm-fresh eggs. Cancel or suspend your egg subscription at any time.
Where do you deliver egg subscriptions?
Egg subscription delivery is available throughout Erie County, PA — including Edinboro, Girard, Harborcreek, Waterford, Fairview, McKean, Erie, Lake City, Cranesville, Mill Village, Wattsburg, North East, Albion, and surrounding communities (19 zip codes). Deliveries are made by Deer Run Acres over the 1st and 3rd weekends of each month. There is a $6 delivery fee per stop. Coffee subscriptions are not limited to this area — they ship anywhere in the US.
How does subscription billing work?
Egg subscriptions must be paid by credit card. Your first delivery is charged at checkout and each later delivery is charged automatically for that cycle. For coffee, the Every 4 Weeks plan charges your first shipment at checkout and then bills your saved card every 4 weeks; the 3-Month and Yearly plans are paid in full once, upfront.
Can I change, pause, or cancel my subscription?
Yes — manage everything from your account dashboard. Egg subscriptions and the coffee Every 4 Weeks plan can be changed, paused, resumed, or cancelled any time, with no commitment and no cancellation fee. The prepaid coffee plans (3-Month and Yearly) are paid upfront and are not refundable. You can still request a limited number of skips, or transfer the remaining shipments to someone else — just contact Caleb.
Can I order products shipped to me without a subscription?
Yes! Tallow products, coffee, tea, herbs, and spices can be purchased as one-time orders and shipped anywhere in the US. Subscriptions are only required for local egg delivery within Erie County.
Workshops & Farm Experiences
Can I cancel or reschedule a workshop booking?
We buy materials and prepare for each seat ahead of time, so we can't offer refunds, credits, or date changes once a workshop or experience is booked. You're welcome to transfer your seat to a friend or family member. Just let us know their name any time before the workshop starts at caleb@deerrunacres.com or 716-581-2069. Your guest will sign a waiver at check-in and must meet any age requirement listed for that workshop.
What if I can't attend a workshop I booked?
You're welcome to transfer your seat to a friend or family member. Just let us know their name any time before the workshop starts at caleb@deerrunacres.com or 716-581-2069. Your guest will sign a waiver at check-in and must meet any age requirement listed for that workshop. If we have to cancel a workshop for weather, illness, or any other reason on our end, you'll receive a full refund.
Some workshops list a balance paid at the venue — what happens to that?
The amount paid at booking is final. The remaining balance is paid at the venue, so if you don't attend, it simply isn't collected. If you transfer your seat, your guest pays the balance at check-in.
Where are workshops held?
Our workshops are held at a few different places — some at the farm and some at partner venues nearby. Each workshop lists its own location on its page, and the address is included in your confirmation email. Every participant signs a waiver before taking part in any farm activity.
Storage & Quality
How should I store bulk beef or pork?
All meat comes frozen and vacuum-sealed. A standard chest freezer (7 cubic feet) can hold a quarter beef. We recommend consuming within 12 months for best quality.
Do I need a special freezer?
A standard chest freezer works great. A 7 cubic foot freezer holds a quarter beef comfortably. For a half or whole, you may want 10-15 cubic feet. Many customers purchase a dedicated freezer for their bulk meat.
How long does vacuum-sealed meat last in the freezer?
Properly vacuum-sealed and frozen meat stays fresh for 12-18 months. We recommend consuming within 12 months for optimal taste and quality.