Farm to Table...

The Randall Lineback breed of cattle with their white belts down their back, black sides and muzzle, may have helped win the Revolutionary War, but that didn’t save them from near extinction. The breed of cattle was sent over from Europe in the 17th Century, raised in Vermont, never crossbred, and were on the “critically endangered” list when Virginia Farmer, Joseph Henderson started his herd at Chapel Hill Farm in the Shenandoah Valley.

Thanks to Henderson and some other farmers, as the New York Times reported there are now 300 to 400 Randall Lineback cows around the country. The benefit is about more than the thrill of watching cattle graze, Randall Linebacks are an “all purpose” breed providing meat, milk, and agricultural work, which is why they got so famous in the first place. These cows may have been the ones that pulled cannons to the hills above Boston in 1776. Those cannons were the ones that helped to colonists fight the British and win.

So, Randalls is another species that’s on the up-and-up this year—earlier this year, Ramapo tomatoes made a comeback as well. Welcome back!

Photo from Hamilton Rare Breeds.