FARM HAPPENINGS
Turkey time is here! We processed our first batch of pasture-raised heritage bronze turkeys last week and they are now available in the farm store with no pre-ordering required. The turkeys are growing well this year so sizes are running a little larger than usual. Most were in the 15 - 22 lb. range with very few smaller ones. We are processing another batch on Monday as well so we expect to have a good selection of frozen turkeys available in the store for the next week or two. And we have a few dozen fresh turkeys still available for pre-ordering…see more details about turkey orders below.
Turkey time is here! We processed our first batch of pasture-raised heritage bronze turkeys last week and they are now available in the farm store with no pre-ordering required. The turkeys are growing well this year so sizes are running a little larger than usual. Most were in the 15 - 22 lb. range with very few smaller ones. We are processing another batch on Monday as well so we expect to have a good selection of frozen turkeys available in the store for the next week or two. And we have a few dozen fresh turkeys still available for pre-ordering…see more details about turkey orders below.
As for non-turkey related farm news, our Guernsey heifer Minnie (daughter of Moose) had her first calf last week, joining a slew of fall calves from Zima, Josie, Ophelia and Charlotte. With those girls now producing our raw milk volume is strong and increasing. So strong that we are not selling out online every morning as of the last week. So its a good time for the raw milk lovers out there to get some of the good stuff for the holidays.
Egg production is a different story. With the shorter days and colder weather moving in we are getting fewer and fewer eggs. As a result we've had to reinstate the egg purchasing limit for the first time since last spring. We will likely be moving the hens off the pasture into the hoophouse in the next few weeks, where there will be more light and less cold. Hopefully that will lead to more eggs.
THANKSGIVING TURKEY ORDERING AND PICKUPS
If you haven't already ordered or reserved a turkey from us, there are three options to purchase one:
- Stop by the farm store anytime from 10 AM - 6 PM weekdays or 9 AM - 5 PM weekends and pick out your preferred size from our selection of frozen turkeys, there will likely be about 100 or so to choose from most days until we sell out.
- Pre-Order a frozen turkey from our online store now, you can choose your preferred size for either in-store pickup or home delivery. We will set aside turkeys for these online orders and begin fulfilling them the week of November 10th (shipping or email notification your turkey is ready for pickup). No waiting in line for your turkey.
- Reserve a FRESH turkey for pickup on Saturday, November 22nd only. We have a few dozen left. We had a processing date change which gave us an additional date for fresh turkeys. PIckups will likely begin at 10 AM or 11 AM and you may have to wait in line with no guarantee of a preferred size.
For those that have already reserved a fresh turkey for one of pickup days the week of Thanksgiving, we will send out an email notification with pickup instructions a few days prior.
If you have purchased a turkey for home delivery, we will start shipping those the week of the 10th but may send some the week of the 17th as well. All shipped turkeys should be delivered by Wednesday, November 19th.
If you have purchased a turkey for store pickup, please make sure to include your email address in the order. We will start reaching out via email when your turkey is ready for pickup, just stop in at the farm store once you receive the notification and we will have it ready for you. Pickup notifications have already started for the sizes we have in stock and will continue through next week. You can get your turkey anytime during store hours until the day before Thanksgiving.
FARM STORE UPDATE
We brough back additional pasture-raised pork from our processor last week so the news is good for the bacon and sausage lovers out there. We have no-nitrate bacon back in stock, and most varieties of sausage, brats, kielbasa, pork chops, and pork roasts in the farm store.
For the apple lovers we have a huge selection of organic apples from local Michigan orchards including Macintosh, Spy, Gala, Liberty, Golden, and Cortland varieties in stock. And organic apple cider as well.
Organically-grown produce from our on-site gardens this week includes kale, cilantro, lettuce, various radishes, Bok Choy, Napa cabbage, and fennel. In addition we have local organic potatoes, fresh cranberries, mushrooms, and microgreens. Non-local organic produce in the store includes avocadoes, limes, lemons, pears, fennel, celery, various onions, and ginger.
Please bring any extra plastic or paper shopping bags as well as egg cartons on your next visit so we can reuse those and keep them out of the landfills and oceans.
We have just a few Saturday farm tours left, only until Thanksgiving. The tours start at 1:00 PM, weather permitting. This afternoon looks like cold rain but next Saturday15th looks better. Purchase tour tickets online or in the farm store.
Stay healthy out there,
Cliff, Anna, and the Farm Team
1 comment
Thank you! 🙏