Before our discussion regarding "Food Security" I would like to have a quick follow-up to last weeks email "Building Community" around your favorite recipes using Nature's Gourmet Farm products. We had several replies to include: Stephanie wrote - "Y'all never cease to amaze me. I learn so much from your emails". Shelley wrote - "I love this! Ok, my Summertime favorite way to cook your chicken can be found at this link . Later this week she wrote:
This week I want to share some improvements we have made recently with our pastured chicken production. But, first a bit of background to catch up new customers who may not know our story here. I'm sure most of you have hear of Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms in VA. In addition to being one of the foremost spokesmen for small family farms he has written many books to help & inspire beginning farmers. Well, one of those books is titled "Pastured Poultry Profits". After reading this and several other books by Joel, Beth and I decided to visit his farm during one of his every other year gatherings - we were two of two thousand paying ($100 each) guest. This was July 2011. By the Spring of 2012 we were in the pastured chicken business!
We are often asked about what we give our cows in the way of drugs, etc. Once a year we schedule our Vet to visit our farm to work our Cows and their same year calves. And, Thursday was our annual day! We start by finding a time on our schedule as well as our youngest son Jared's to schedule the Vet.
So, this is our off weekend - meaning we aren't on the road making deliveries. Once a quarter (July) we have TWO weekends off. This gives us time to catch up on stuff around the farm. Today, Tess, our Belgian Malinois will have her vet visit. While she likes a lot of attention, she gets very nervous at the vet's office. Folks have asked how all this rain has affected our farm? Well, the pigs think it is great! The cows are over it and ready for some sunshine! And, it has been the hardest on the broiler meat chickens. Regarding the pastures it has been a mixed blessing. Grasses certainly need rain to grow. However,
"Get Big or Get Out" is a quote from then Sec. of Agriculture Butz in the mid 1970's. In 1974 the MS Ag. Commissioner encouraged cattleman with his slogan "A million more in '74"! And when you challenge farmers to do something they work hard to get it done. The sad result was devastating and ruined many a family farm when the market collapsed. Unfortunately, Sec. Butz' mindset has carried on and continues to be spoken by many in agriculture especially the government side.
Thanks for letting us have a few minutes of you day to let you know how our sales & marketing works as well as share some website tips. As a small family farm we wear many hats each day. Beginning is late 2019 we started an email marketing strategy with the objective of building a relationship with potential customers. We start by introducing new customers to Beth & me, our farm and how we care for the land and animals entrusted to us, our farm philosophy, and valued partners that help us along the way. Once a person signs up to our website it triggers an automatic email every week or so over the next ten weeks where we use pictures, videos, and examples from out farm. We even introduce you to how your orders are packed and then take you along on a delivery route. The really neat thing is when customers
In 1976 I raised my right hand and took an Oath of Enlistment in the United States Air Force. I repeated the same Oath several times during my 36 years of military service to our Country. Part of the Oath said "to support and defend the Constitution of The United States of America!" My commitment to this Oath and my Country extends beyond retirement and is a lifetime Oath. I'm also what you would consider "old school" and believe the only way to study history is from reading the original documents, etc. and NOT by reading what other folks opinion of what the originator meant. Have you ever participated in the game called Gossip where person
Today, I want to take a few minutes to show you our NEW look to the front entrance to our plant. We've been saving our dollars and had enough to add the front awning/porch. Fortunately we ordered the metal back in April before the prices went crazy high. Our vision is to eventually have a look resembling an ole timey country store. The front of the building will one day be either painted or have a wood veneer added.
Last weeks newsletter about the young couple in North AL who decided to quit farming after 6-years sparked a higher than usual read rate as well as email comments back to me. Kate, a Gulfport customer, had this to say; Pardon me, I hit reply all as we need to build community around our regenerative farmers! I believe the fake meat movement will bring customers running to your farm…. Your delivery service is quite a plus…I hope it brings you joy to meet your customers. I am in for the long haul, but
This week a farmer friend told me about a direct market farm in N. Alabama that has decided to quit! The farm, DSR Farms in Danville started 6-years ago and based on photos from their website and FB were hard workers, doing a lot of the right things, and making a positive difference in their local markets. Initial communication suggested the decision goes back to the 2020 pandemic stress caused by big processors who shut their plants - leaving consumers desperate to find meat. Thursday, they hosted a podcast and listed the following factors as key to their decision: - more money working for someone else (he used to do heavy metal work)
In the June issue of ACRES USA the editor discusses Epicurious.com, a food website, recent announcement they would no longer feature beef recipes. The Epicurious editors explained their new policy this way: "This decision was not made because we hate hamburger. Instead, our shift is soley about sustainability, about not giving airtime to one of the world's worst climate offenders. We think of this decision as not anti-beef but rather pro-planet." Sorry, But that's hogwash! Animals - cattle, chickens, pigs, etc. - aren't inherently the problem. The problem is the cruelty with which many are treating them.
Last week we cut and packed eight pigs from our farm. Additionally, we cut and packed our first two beef from our farm. During the process we were discussing how families love our premium beef for its versatility. That's why we're offering these two new products you are sure to enjoy.
Veteran Owned & Operated