Blog - Nature's Gourmet Farm

Farm Operation

Ben gives an overview of how we manage product availability throughout the year and how it has impacted our operations.

Product Update – 1) Chicken - We are out of chicken. Next batch will be available September 12th. You can reserve your needs by emailing me how many you want. 2) Beef - Have you ordered your half beef yet? Next processing will be September 4th with availability 3-4 weeks later. Simply confirm your order with a deposit is all that is needed to reserve your premium grass-fed beef. Also, did you notice our Chuck Roast Bundle? Buy 15 pounds or more and get a 15% discount! 3) Pork - We have plenty of pork in stock. For a limited time we will offer Pork Chops on sale. Buy 15 pounds and get 15% off the regular price. Sale price $6.35 per pound. Save $1.15 per pound. Did you know you can pickup your order directly from our farm? Simply place your order and coordinate a time. We had two customers stop by today. Farm Update – Last week I mentioned my 4-criteria used evaluate if someone knew what they were doing in this business. They are: 1) Do they own the land 2) Do they own the cattle 3) Do they invest their own money in the operation 4) Are they doing it successfully To be considered, they have to pass ALL four criteria. This weeds out more than 95% of the speakers and writers who spend other peoples money to promote their theory. In 2009 we started out mostly conventional in our approach. Then, we heard about Joel Salatin who owns Polyface Farms in VA. I read all his books & articles and started implementing his practices. In 2010 we cleared 75 acres of land and re-fenced about 50% of the pastures Internal electric fences were added to facilitate rotational grazing. July 2011 Beth & I visited Joel's farm to see first hand. in 2012 a supplier visited our farm and relayed what he saw to John Wood who owns USWellness Meats in MO. John visited us and during the conversation mentioned the Grassfed Exchange and that he would pay my airfare to Bismark, ND for the conference - which I did and was fortunate to meet Gabe Brown who has since been voted one of the 25-influential farmers in the world for his soil building skills using cover crops,et. al. Pastured broilers were added in 2012 and we cleared another 35 acres of land. In 2013 we started learning Holistic principles. We contracted with Preston Sullivan, an instructor, to help us shorten the learning curve. Later that year we visited Cody Holmes (also an HMI Instructor) and owner of Real Farm Foods farm in MO. 2014 we added Pastured Pigs based on the Salatin model and continued to participate in the GrassFed Exchange. February 2015 we were fortunate to be able to buy an adjoining 52 acre farm. Required clearing out old fences and tree growth and installing about 2700' of new fence. 2016 I was asked to speak at the GrassFed Exchange Conference at White Oak Pastures in GA. Will Hegman, owner, has done a terrific job converting his farm from conventional to a highly diverse forage and multi-specie farm with multiple channels of distribution. Following the conference I was honored to be asked to serve as an Adviser to the Board of Directors. In this role I work with some very talented farmers to promote the Grassfed Exchange - a gathering of regenerative ranchers, dairymen, and sustainable food supporters from across the world who come together to network and exchange ideas. We desire to help producers and consumers grow in the knowledge of the grassfed industry - Key objective is a consistent high quality product. December 2016 Beth & I visited Seven Sons Farm in IN to learn about pastured hens. We putthe infrastructure in place and received our hens early April. Regularly customers ask if I know where they can buy vegetables. Below is a brief introduction by Del who I meet last year when I was adding compost tea to my pastures. We have asked him to grow some fall beans for us and wanted to share his talents with you as well. Del is considering different marketing options and ask that you contact him if you are interested. Brief History of Del & Peggy; Del born in Iowa in 1942 into a grade A dairy operation and continued the tradition by owning his own Iowa dairy farm, using the mainstream way of farming. In 1975 Del became concerned about the potential health hazards of the use of pesticides and started a compost manufacturing operation right on the farm and soon learned the benefits of organic farming and have been doing different versions of small scale organic farming since. The winters of 2006 through 2009 Del and Peggy volunteered to help rebuild the Gulf Coast after hurricane Katrina. In 2010 Del and Peggy moved the entire compost manufacturing equipment to the Gulf Coast. We now live here, manufacture compost, and use it in a small scale organic farm raising true organic pesticide free vegetables, fruits and herbs. Business Strategy under consideration Peggy and I are considering selling organic veggie variety boxes of home canned, fresh or frozen organic vegetables, fruits and herbs. Pick up times and locations would be the same as Natures Gourmet Farm meat pick up dates. Your interest level will be greatly appreciated. Please Email: heavnsb@aol.com or Phone: 228-365-3744 with your interest level and questions. www.heavnsbestcompost.com 19234 Saucier Lizana Rd Saucier, MS 39574 Customer Feedback- Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats.” ~ Howard Aiken As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm. Ben & Beth

Are You Buying Phony Grassfed Beef

Ben discusses the risk of imported beef and how consumers can ensure they are getting what they are paying for with real grassfed beef from locally raised farms.

The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs

Ben gives a brief introduction to Joel Salatin's new book titled "The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs".

Farm Update

Weather impacts everything we do!

American's Health Report

Ben provides the status of American's (and Mississippian's) health from sources like the CDC - where processed food is the norm vs. Amish culture where their food is tied back to healthy land stewardship.... and closes with a relevant quote from Michael Pollen.

Wallbuilders

Happy 241st Birthday America!

Fats, Proteins, and Carbs - Beth's Journey

Beth talks about the importance of balancing fats, proteins, and carbs and how she lost 35 pounds eating healthy.

Pea Pickers

Check out our Pea Pickers!

July 4th Sale

Custom Processed pigs are put on sale for the July 16th harvest

July 4th Orders

Product Update – 1) Chicken - inventory has been added to our website to accept your orders 2) Beef - Have you ordered your half beef yet? The first ones will go to the processor June 25th. Confirm your order with a deposit is all that is needed to reserve your premium grass-fed beef. 3) Pork - Our next batch of pigs will go to market July 16th. Thus, we have opened up orders for half & whole orders (Custom Processed). NOTE: due to an issue with our pig breeder this will be the last batch of custom processed pigs for 2017. The next batch will be Feb-Mar 2018. This is the last week to order for the June 28th pickup date. You can also pickup orders directly from the farm by appointment. July 4th Celebration – July 4th is one of the major grilling weekends - and this year many will have a 4-day weekend to celebrate with family and friends. What will you grill for your July 4th celebration? WOW your family & friends with Nature's Gourmet Farm Beef, Pork, and Chicken. Our next delivery is JUNE 28th so place your order today. Customer Feedback- We have tried the grass fed beef and farm fresh eggs and both were wonderful. So glad to know that we found a farm that produces healthy food. Looking forward to doing more business with you in the future! Can't wait to try the chicken and pork as well. M. Tatum Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” ~ Jimmy Johnson Don’t delay… place your order today!