Farm to Treats: Trout Lake Farms

From Seed to Sift: How Trout Lake Farm Grows the Highest Quality Organic Catnip

At Shameless Pets, we believe that what goes into your pet’s treats matters just as much as what stays out. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Trout Lake Farm, a pioneer in organic farming, to source premium upcycled catnip—sustainably grown, thoughtfully processed, and absolutely adored by pets.

Rooted in Nature Since 1973

Trout Lake Farm was founded over 50 years ago in the pristine Trout Lake Valley of Washington State. Nestled at the base of Mount Adams, the area was chosen for its nutrient-rich volcanic ash soil, glacier-fed water, and natural isolation from pollutants—perfect for cultivating top-tier medicinal herbs organically. Long before “organic” became a buzzword, Trout Lake Farm was already living and farming by that principle.

Growth in the High Desert

In the 1990s, the farm expanded to Ephrata, Washington, in the heart of America’s largest agricultural county. This high desert location, with its hot, dry summers and access to Class A irrigation water from the Columbia River, offered a new climate for botanical production—and the ideal conditions for growing catnip and peppermint on a larger scale.

Today, Trout Lake Farm produces an astounding 3.5 to 4 million pounds of herbs each year, with catnip and peppermint leading the pack.

The Journey of Catnip: From Field to Pet Bowl

Each year between June and September, Trout Lake Farm harvests catnip—timed precisely with the rhythm of the seasons. At their East Farm location, sensitive crops like catnip are field-dried to preserve their vital essential oils, ensuring that the final product delivers maximum potency and flavor.

Once dried, the catnip undergoes a multi-step process:

• Cleaning to meet the farm’s rigorous <1% foreign material specification.

• Milling to the desired particle size.

• Steam treatment in a specialized small chamber for a validated pathogen-kill step, making it safe for humans and pets alike.

• Packaging and shipment to trusted partners—like us!

The Upcycled Connection: Turning “Misfits” Into Magic

While catnip in its traditional cut-and-sift (C/S) form is widely used, the finer, broken particles left behind—known as tea bag cut—often get overlooked. Because this tea bag cut is a by-product of the milling process and not commonly sold, it would typically end up in the compost pile.

That’s where Shameless Pets steps in. We give this misfit catnip a second life by using it in our treats, reducing waste and adding a powerful punch of aroma that cats go wild for. It’s a perfect example of upcycling in action—where sustainability meets irresistible flavor.

A Shared Mission: Better for Pets, Better for the Planet

Trout Lake Farm shares our commitment to sustainability and integrity. As a vertically integrated, Certified Organic operation, they control every step of the process—from seed to finished product. In 2025, they’re taking it even further by pursuing Fair for Life Certification and planning for Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) in the future.

Their use of cutting-edge technology, like AI-powered Laser Weeders, helps eliminate weeds without disturbing the soil—another step toward truly regenerative farming.

Looking Ahead

While our team hasn’t visited the farm just yet, we’re looking forward to scheduling a site visit during catnip harvest season in 2025. Our long-standing relationship with Trout Lake Farm and the incredible team behind it (shoutout to Jackie!) means we may be able to coordinate a behind-the-scenes look at their farming and processing operations.

And from one pet-loving team to another: the cats at Trout Lake Farm are head-over-paws for Shameless Pets treats. As they put it, “they haven’t experienced a flavor they don’t love!”

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Want to see where your pet’s favorite catnip comes from? Stay tuned—more photos and stories from Trout Lake Farm are on the way.

Together, we’re creating treats that are healthy, sustainable, and most importantly, pet-approved.