FARM HAPPENINGS
We finally got some good steady rain last night, ending the longest dry spell of the summer. Even so most of our pastures are still thick, green, and lush with fresh growth … very unusual for late August. If this steady rainfall keeps up through the fall we should have plenty of grass for both the beef and dairy herds to graze all the way into the first heavy snowfall.
We finally got some good steady rain last night, ending the longest dry spell of the summer. Even so most of our pastures are still thick, green, and lush with fresh growth … very unusual for late August. If this steady rainfall keeps up through the fall we should have plenty of grass for both the beef and dairy herds to graze all the way into the first heavy snowfall.
Last week we moved the Thanksgiving turkey poults out of the brooder house and into the Mobile Range Coops (see pic above). These are like portable green houses with no floors where we raise the broiler chickens and turkeys until they are big enough to move out into the open pasture shelters (usually about 7-8 weeks old). While in the MRC they are protected from weather and predators during the transition from the heated brooder space. The MRCs are moved every day to a fresh patch of grass.
For those thinking about reserving a fresh Thanksgiving turkey, Anna tells me they are selling out fast so please order online in the next week or so to make sure we still have availability for both pickup dates. Otherwise we do expect to have a good supply of frozen turkeys available the week prior.
FARM STORE UPDATE
Fresh local and organic produce in the store this week includes heirloom tomatoes, green beans, carrot bunches, black plums, bartlett pears, watermelon and cantaloupe, and three varieties of fresh mushrooms - shiitake, lions mane, and blue oyster. Plus organic potatoes and onions. And we still have a good supply of organic early season Zestar apples from Michigan which are very crisp and sweet-tart.
Molly is back to full production with not only her organic sourdough breads but also the delicious blueberry pie bars and brownies. New products in the store this week includes Kalona Supernatural whole organic creamline milk, this is minimally pasteurized unlike most organic milk which is ultra-pasteurized. We also have restocked the Capra Nera raw goat milk cheese which has been very popular. And all the Mion soaps and personal care products are back in stock.
And we have grass-fed lamb back in the store for the first time since last fall, with the four idiot lambs back from the processor. And for your Labor Day grilling we have a good supply of steaks, briskets, brats, and burgers. We are also expecting our Bison farmer to bring a large order including ground bison and bison burger patties on Saturday by noon.
ONLINE ORDERS - SHIPPING
There is currently some sort of glitch in the new website that says shipping is not available for many online orders, which is not the case. We are trying to get the issue fixed but can't figure out why that is function is not working. Until then if you want your order shipped just choose store pickup the in the order notes indicate you want it shipped and to what address.
There is currently some sort of glitch in the new website that says shipping is not available for many online orders, which is not the case. We are trying to get the issue fixed but can't figure out why that is function is not working. Until then if you want your order shipped just choose store pickup the in the order notes indicate you want it shipped and to what address.
Finally, if you don't have plans yet for tomorrow think about coming out to join us for the Saturday farm tour, which starts at 1:00 PM every Saturday through Thanksgiving, weather permitting. Tomorrow the forecast looks great - sunny with a high of 83 degrees and moderate humidity. You can purchase tour tickets online or in the farm store.
Hope to see everyone there soon…
Cliff, Anna, and the Farm Team