Restock Dates: Please see our Farm Blog where we post our weekly newsletter for the latest updates

2017 0311

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

March 12, 2017

Our online farm store re-opened last Wednesday at midnight for April Delivery.

Product Update –

We still have a few pigs looking for a home. We will deliver them for processing next Sunday. Place your order today. “Ben, your bacon is second to none”! Frank K.

Custom-Processed Half Beef is available for ordering. Reserve yours by placing your deposit today.  

We have beef ground and variety shares available as well as a few more pork variety shares. Chicken will be available beginning March 22nd.

Farm Soil Health Update – early February I took soil samples from 50% of the paddocks that included land cleared in 2010 and 2012. We sent the samples to Ward Labs because they can perform what is called “The Haney Test”. The Haney Test includes a biological soil analysis – and increased biological activity is one of the components our management practices aim to increase.

I was very excited when the results came back and showed that in the last few years we have increased our soil organic matter about 50%. Organic matter is an important indicator of soil health as well as an indicator of nutrient cycling performed by soil microbes. The higher the organic matter the better the soil cycles nutrients – including water holding capacity – and the more drought tolerant our farm is. Our regenerative management practices will one day mean our farm will be more sustainable on little to no inputs.

Farm Business Model –

For about a year now we have operated our online store and since August offered deliveries to five locations. Our objective is to be convenient, simple, and flexible to the needs of our customers while offering locally raised, GMO Free premium quality beef, pork, and chicken.

While our model is new for South Mississippi, it has worked very well in other parts of the country. How about you? Are you supporting your local family farm?

Quote Worth Re-Quoting –

“A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous and then dismissed as trivial, until finally, it becomes what everybody knows.”   ~ William James

More from the blog

Half/Whole Beef Orders | Part 2 w/ Dr. Casey Means

Half/Whole Beef Orders: Beef sales this year have been outstanding. Especially our half/whole custom beef orders. Frankly, we have had to outsource the processing to Homestead because at this time we don’t have the capacity to handle the increased volume. This has also let us increase the quantity of cuts that we sell through our website. We are planning ONE more harvest of seven beef (14 halves) for 2024. The harvest date will be November 5th. That will give the processor time to complete your order where you can pickup before your Thanksgiving holiday. If you are interested then you need to email me ASAP as we already have folks on the wait list. Here is a link to helpful Ordering Tips.

Farm Updates | Hurricane Francine

Hurricane Francine: After much hype, Hurricane Francine turned out to be mostly a non-event here at the farm. In fact, the storm I wrote about last week was much worse than Francine. We mostly had limbs to pick up and clear from fences. We were very thankful for the 3.5 inches of rain as well as the number of folks who checked in on us. FARM UPDATES: 1. Our new pullets we have ordered are on schedule for delivery on September 14th. They typically need 6 weeks before they start laying. So, supply should improve soon. 2. Last week 71% of the people receiving our Newsletter clicked to open.