September Sale & USDA Poultry Plant Update

Product Update –

1) Chicken- We will process our sixth batch of chickens September 13th. Individual pieces will be added to our store for orders on September 14th - just ahead of September 18th delivery date.

2)Beef - Individual cuts - we added individual cuts to our store and are fully stocked

Custom Half Beef - if you are interested in getting a half beef it is not to late. Simply follow this link https://naturesgourmetfarm.com/custom-bulk-orders
to place your deposit.

3) Pork- Individual cuts - we added individual cuts to our store and are fully stocked. Since last Sunday we have more than 44 orders for pork. If you are looking for a half or whole pig - our next processing date will be September 15th.

4) Eggs- Egg production has slowed down - mostly from the older hens. Our new hens arrived August 16th and oh my, the older girls were not happy. You would not believe the fuss and drama from them.... fortunately after a week they are starting to settle in. The new hens should start laying very soon. We expect to have eggs for September delivery and will let you know soon.

FARM UPDATE:
Hey, this is Ben. We have a September sale on ALL Beef Roast - now 15% off. Additionally, we decided to extend the sale on our #1 selling item - the 25# Ground Beef Bundle - save $10. Sale is good through midnight September 16th. Now is a great time to take advantage of sale prices on great tasting beef. If you have already placed an order for these items - no worries! I have edited your order for the sale price.

USDA Poultry Plant Update - numerous times per week someone contacts me looking for Non-GMO Pastured Chicken. It is disappointing to have to say we are sold out for the year because MS regulations limit us to only 1000 per year. The good news is this is about to change!

Exactly one year ago this month Beth and I attended a regional pastured poultry meeting where we toured a small on-farm USDA poultry processing plant. The month prior I had presented justification why Mississippi should change regulations to meet the Federal 20,000 per year exemption. Knowing that was not going to happen any time soon, I discussed building a USDA plant with Senator Hill who put me in touch with Ag. Commissioner Andy Gipson. In early December I introduced him to retail customers who expressed interest in buying our pastured poultry.

With thumbs up I started developing a plan to build a plant. First step was to hire a farmer who had successfully built a plant as a consultant. January was spent with design layout, cost analysis, writing a business plan and completing a grant application. Next came presenting our plan to the grant board which we had to do twice. In April we received our grant that would fund about 60% of the cost of materials - we put in the sweat equity plus existing facilities and equipment.

Next, we completed the USDA application to build an inspected poultry processing plant. On May 27th we started construction and completed the plant construction early last month. Then August 29th the inspectors came to validate our plant and HACCP Plan (stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point). The review went very good! Only a few minor corrective actions required - that have been completed. Lastly, yesterday (September 5th) we received our Conditional Grant of Inspection! What a Blessing!!!

This means we can raise an unlimited quantity of chickens and process them in our plant and sell to any customer who wants to buy them in any location in the United States of America - NO LIMITATIONS. That is a big deal for our farm and especially for our customers.

Beth & I thank you for supporting local (integrity) regenerative food sources to create a food system that nourishes healthy families, that is better for the animals welfare, that is better for regenerating the land and that builds healthy communities. That is the only way to make a positive impact with your food dollars.

Customer Feedback- "Wow! Grass fed beef at or below supermarket prices right in my back yard. Their beef is not only better tasting its light years better for you. These guys are the real deal, I have been to the farm myself:. Paul D.

Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “You as a food buyer have the distinct privilege of proactively participating in shaping the world your children will inherit” ~Joel Salatin from his book Lunatic Farmer

Thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm.
Ben & Beth