Farm Spotlight 

Creekside Meadows

Creekside Meadows moved to Cazenovia 5 years ago from Lafayette where they started with 26 acres.  They have grown to be 150 acres. They both began with very little farm experience and started homesteading on their 26 acres in 1993. It slowly grew into a business and is now in its 2^nd generation. They raise and direct market 100% Grass Fed Beef, Silvo Pastured Pork, Pasture Raised Chicken and of course TURKEY. They also raised seasonal vegetables & Herbs, Maple Syrup and produce a line of Farmstead Soaps.  All of this is made on the farm and is from farm products.  Tricia is a veteran and therefore they are a woman veteran owned farm with the Homegrown by Heroes Label.   They supply product to Clear Path for Veterans and have a raffle for a Turkey Package to benefit CPV with the drawing on Nov. 19th.   Tickets available at the farm or the Caz. Market on the 19th.
 
Tricia and Matt attend the Cazenovia Farmers Market and the 20 East Winter Market. They have a both a Whole Farm CSA and love it because it is great to have relationships and mutual support and commitment with their community members who they grow food for.
 
But now, with it being November, it is turkey season! Creekside Meadows grows turkeys that are pasture raised and grazed from July through late October.  They are supplemented with local grains ground fresh on the farm for balanced nutrition.  The 3 farmers made the change from fresh to freezer turkeys (a brief freeze so that they could be processed in November) after much discussion on how to handle the volume and our exhaustion on a particular tough Thanksgiving week.   It was not an easy decision but the key things that prompted the change was Quality of Life for the Turkeys while they are in their care and their quality of life as farmers.   We find the extra benefit of earlier processing is that we know exactly how many turkeys are for sale, what size they are so when customers call for a certain size , we can say yes we have it stop on out to the farm.  Then the customer really can see the farm when life isn't as hectic.   While Tricia and Matt understand that people want fresh turkey, they believe that what really matters is how the animal was raised and knowing who raised it. They value that their animals are pasture raised on local farms and feel freezing is a very minor issue that they handle cautiously to maintain their high quality product.
 
For more information about Creekside Meadows, visit their website at http://www.creeksidemeadowsfarm.com/ or support them at the Cazenovia and 20East markets!
   
 
Tricia Park
Creekside Meadows Farm
315-662-7988     Cell phone   315-720-2141  (this is a new number )
www.creeksidemeadowsfarm.com  
 
 

Winter Farmer's Markets

Don't forget that your choices for farmer’s markets and local products do not have to end just because it is winter! There are five active markets throughout Madison County in the winter that you can visit and purchase from that are completely indoors. Farmer’s markets are a great way to connect with your community and spend time as a family while emphasizing strong, local ties to the next generation. For a list of Winter Farmers Markets in Madison County, visit the Madison County CCE page at http://madisoncountycce.org/agriculture/agriculture-economic-development/find-a-farmers-market
 

Upcoming Events

Learning Quickbooks for Beginners

November 10th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Location:  CCE Madison County, 100 Eaton Street, Morrisville, NY
Cost:  $15.00 per person
You don't need to be an accountant to know how to use QuickBooks Pro.  Come and learn how to manage the finances of your farm business yourself with the windows version of this powerful accounting software. Bonnie Collins, Farm Business Manager Resource Educator, shows how to create a new company file, set up accounts, record expenses and generate invoices, along with the day-to-day tasks to keep your business running.  Please visit madisoncountycce.org for more information.


 

Solar Fair

Buy Local Bash