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

Newsletter 2016 1114

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

December 4, 2016

Upcoming Order Deadlines

Madison:

Order by Sunday, November 13, 2016

Pickup Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Hattiesburg & Hattiesburg Hwy 98 West

Order by Monday, November 14, 2016

Pickup Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Biloxi & Gulfport

Order by Monday November 14, 2016

Pickup Thursday, November 17, 2016

We believe in transparency, as there’s no better education about what it
is we do, how we do it and why, than an honest and straightforward conversation
about any aspect of our farm!

Veterans Day Sale: Thank you for your strong support
of our Veterans Day Sale. Only 1-day left to order for this weeks Pickup. We
are offering a $25 savings on our 25# Beef Variety Share regularly priced at
$205, now $180. Order now for pickup per the above schedule.

Those familiar with our Blog know we strongly support Buy Local as the best way to provide the highest quality food for your family as well as regenerate our communities, land, and families. It is a shame that Mississippi imports $8.5 billion in food per year while many rural communities struggle to exist. What we need is many more small family farms doing what we do. It can be done!

My friends at Seven Sons in IN tell the story how back in the 1990's their farm was corn and CAFO Pigs and barely supported one family. Today, it is a highly diverse family farm with direct market reach that includes over 4,000 customers. And, at last count, their pastured eggs are sold into 21 retail grocery stores. Their farm now supports eleven (11) families.

Our culture in South Mississippi is changing! More and more folks are switching to buying from local farmers. Our farms practice of leveraging the internet combined with local pickup makes it simple and convenient to buy local. Since we started offering local pickup in August our business has increased each month. And, customer feedback has been outstanding -  Satisfied customers share our farm with their family & friends. 

Quick update on availability:

Chicken - sold out till Spring. USDA only allows small farms to raise 1,000 per year.

Beef - Custom Process halves with be available late Spring

         - Other offerings are in stock

Pork - Custom Process wholes/ halves will be available about March 2017

         - Half Bundle and 25# Variety Share will be available for the Dec Pickup Schedule

Lastly, as you probably know, MS and several other Southern States are in a Severe Drought. Some of my cool season grasses have died from lack of water and will have to be replanted once we get a good rain. So, please join me in prayer that God will send some rain soon.

Thank you for supporting our local farm.

More from the blog

Land O'Lakes CEO Interview

SEE WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK FROM YOUR FARMER Land O'Lakes CEO Beth Ford comments New Sausage Flavors Update RFK Jr. to Med Schools: Add Nutrition Classes "Immediately" Product Availability Update

Farm & Market Updates

Market Update – Our farm objective is to raise nutrient dense meats without all the chemicals, vaccines, hormones, and etc. And be able to provide them to a community of families at a reasonable price. We measure success based on pounds sold verses dollars earned. Current beef prices are making that harder to accomplish as families seek options to reduce their food bills. I know we have not passed along the full impact of higher prices to our customers which means we are not making as much as before nor are we selling as much beef.

Beef Pricing Update & Sausage

Beef Pricing Update – Beef prices continue to increase and hit a new All-Time high AGAIN last week. This week, the Chief Production Officer (CPO) for JBS Meats (one of the four largest beef packers) stated that prices will remain high for at least the next two years. His rationale was the low cow herd numbers, little to no indication farmers/ranchers are retaining females to grow their herds (at these high prices they are taking the money now while it is there); when females are being retained it will take over 2.5 years before a calf will be ready for harvest (9-month gestation + about 24 months old at harvest). Lastly, consumer demand remains strong.