Happy Friday from the farm!
It only took 3 months but our internet finally uploaded some pictures...I'm nothing if not patient. So this will be a bit of an update as to how our summer has been as well as a quick update of all the exciting stuff just around the corner. As always you are welcome any time to visit the farm for yourself and see all the (mostly) great things that are happening but if you had to schedule a date, might I suggest Oct 1st (see below).
The new cattle came early this spring! Great news for our beef supply (in fall of 2017 unfortunately). This huge multi-year project will be completed wtihin a week. We took land that was corn and soybeans and turned it into perennial pastures! We had to run electricity out to the site, drill a well and, of course, put lots and lots of fence in. But, it's so exciting to see all the changes and to see how this land has gone from sandy, droughty, marginal corn/bean production (not health promoting to people either), losing lots of soil each year to erosion, to land that is increasing in organic matter, producing food that is actually good for you, plants that have more than quadrupled their brix/sugar levels already (high brix = more healthy), land that can absorb so much more water and lose no soil* and, of course, the wildlife that is flourishing everywhere - there's even a coyote that follows behind Andy when he makes hay waiting for all the little voles and mice to go scattering. He tried getting a picture...no luck. You are choosing to eat this meat primarily for your health but look at all the awesome secondary benefits that go along with that one simple choice! You should be proud of yourself. :) *We've had huge rains this summer (see below) and the corn/bean land adjacent to us and across the road lost so much soil that the snow plows had to be brought out to clean the road off. Not ours though!
Here they are moving to new pastures everyday - it's good for them, great for the plants/land and even better for you!
Some pictures of the lush, beautiful grasses and legumes your beef are eating! Seriously, if this is what your meat eats, I think you are in pretty good shape! See here to learn more.
And what about the pigs, you ask?
Here is permaculture at work. They are grazing under the elderberries...in a very controlled fashion under the watchful gaze and maneuvers of Immy the Red Heeler. These are some of the healthiest and happiest pigs around - really Immy is their only care in life and they are still pretty good at ignoring her, to her complete and total dismay.
Below: Pigs LOVE to graze red clover. Even the "rooters" (some pigs just really prefer rooting over grazing...it's a genetic/personality thing that we select against) don't root red clover...they just walk along merrily chomping away. We are working on getting this established in all the pig pastures.
The pigs weren't listening so Immy thought she'd try herding the girls...that turned out even worse. :)
It's not all lollipops and rainbows though. I saw a post circulating on Facebook saying "If you think you have your life [and finances I would add] together, just start a farm." touché Facebook, touché. Seems like every other week we are dealing with an expensive emergency this year. From tractor tires to transmissions and fuel injectors (even more expensive than transmissions it turns out) to the extreme weather we were NOT missing at all....
We had a couple bouts of major flooding, resulting in the loss of a few fences and electricity for extended periods of time. Fortunately, several years ago we bought a generator big enough to run all the freezers and the well pump. Unfortunately, it had never actually been hooked up and required special plugs and electricians to do it. Fortunately, a friend and almost-next-door neighbor is an electrician and was able to come over. So, no meat had to be thrown away! Extra bonus: I found out how many wonderful friends we have - lots of offers of temporary freezer space and help if we needed it. Thank you so much - the outpouring of support was something special. I'd like to point out though - that if our freezers were empty.... :)
Because of the flooding, the pigs were able to enjoy some beach front property! I'm not kidding when I say our land is sandy.
Oh, look! The rainbows are back! Phew. Let's see what September will bring...
Very exciting. If you remember I asked you guys to take a survey last time (thank you if you did!) to help us identify the best drop days and times (and locations if you had any). And, we've come up with Monday afternoons and Saturdays.
You can still take the survey if you'd like, it's here, I'd especially appreciate info or ideas on any businesses that might host a drop site (really just a meeting place in their parking lot and/or a wonderfully healthy option to provide the employees!!!).
We are currently in talks with many different businesses, you should see an update on this next week.
Also NEW! Madison & LaCrosse drops! We'll only be there once a month, probably Wednesdays, but, hey, it's a start! Let me know if you are willing to be a dropsite! Details out soon on this too.
Here's what we know right now. We will start delivering to Menomonie - River Falls - Twin Cities and everywhere in between the Monday after Labor Day, so the 12th. We will deliver:
Every other Monday, starting Sept 12th
2nd and 4th Saturday
The Menomonie Farmer's Market continues until the end of October. See below for more.
The Back-to-School Freezer Meal Party is Monday, September 5th, it's almost sold out so if you want in I suggest registering now. Last one until November.
Then it's PIG ROAST time!!! Yay! Amazingly, it's our 7th annual this year! Every year gets better and better (note I didn't say flawless, just better) :) I really hope you can make it. Last year about half the guests were from the cities - maybe we could start a facebook page for carpooling? Feel free to camp overnight on the farm. I will get a Facebook event set up ASAP and get more details on the website very soon too. Just be sure to save the date! Because the 1st is sneaking up on us.
Remember, the health department says it technically has to be a potluck so plan to bring a dish to share. We'll provide assorted smoked pork options and Lazy Monk Oktoberfest beer.
Volunteers needed!!! Both of our families are gone to weddings that weekend so we are in need of a few more volunteers this year than usual - you get a FREE t-shirt!! Email me if you're interested. Definitely need someone in the store and to help with drinks and side dishes.
She's not in a tree anymore but she's still climbing...looks like Adeyle needs something to do! Be sure to come visit us at the Menomonie Farmer's Market on Saturdays from 8am - 1 pm. We are going to do our best to be at all of them between now and the end of October. Note that unless we can find someone (are you interested?) that would do market for us we will NOT be there pig roast weekend Oct 1st.
Remember you can pre-order in the farm store to make sure we have exactly what you want - this is especially important if you want bundles, etc. Do that here.
Love the idea of freezer meals but don't want to come out to the farm to make them? Have all your own meat to use up or veggies (or time)?
DRUMROLL PLEASE.....
I've made an eCookbook of ten different freezer meals! It includes recipes for ten freezer to slow cooker meals, grocery lists for making 10 or 20 (two of each meal) meals, printer-ready labels for your bags, a freezer inventory sheet so you can keep track of what you have on hand, and lots of my expert commentary on freezer meals, ingredients and cooking. I think you'll love it.
What could make this even better and easier and more of a cost savings to you?
KEEP THE DRUM ROLLING...
Meat Bundles specific to this eCookbook! Want to make ten meals (1 of each) then you'll get 5% off all the meat which is bundled and ready for you. Want to be super efficient and make 2 of each - that bundle is 10% off and is also ready to go! Remember, we ship so if you live far away you can still get the convenience and cost savings of freezer meals while still being able to use our exceptional meat! How awesome is that!?!? I'm super excited about this.
So, excited in fact, that this is a tad bit premature and the graphic designer is not quite done making it look beautiful yet. You can still get the printer friendly version and the bundle now and then I'll email you the pretty one when it's done in just a few days. Yes, there will be a full-blown special announcement once everything is perfectly finished. Consider this a special pre-launch event for our inner circle. Available in the farm store now under a special new category called Ebooks (plural because I'm being optimistic that you will love these as much as I do and you'll demand more of them).
Get your copy today to save time, money and still eat well! Combine with our meat bundles for this eCookbook to save even more money and get the best meat around! Both available in the farm store now!
Bulk Beef
Available to reserve now! Our first group is going in to the butcher Nov 6th, but deposits are starting to roll in now. We expect them to sell out (especially since we actually have a few less than last year - this group had a lot of girls that we kept to be moms) so I wouldn't wait too long if you definitely want in.
Lower Pricing! The best value is always to get a whole. We do encourage "cowpooling" so if you'd only like a half see if you can find someone else that might like a half and then go in together to get a whole. Note that you are charged based on how many people we have to work with and deliver to - so you'll need to elect a "Beef Coordinator" for your group.
Even Healthier! After our consultation a few weeks ago we learned even more ways to get more perfectly balanced minerals in our meat and detox the animals even better! And, if you were at the Food Matters event later that evening you know that mineral deficiency is the real culprit behind most of our diseases, especially cancer:
Cancer is the wrong expression of the right gene because the wrong minerals were present.
Never purchased in bulk before - contact me and I'll give you all the info you need!
