It's an exciting Saturday morning here on the farm as we kick off our 1st annual Pork Harvest Sale! We have 4 options for you to consider, each with special pricing starting today and lasting through next Saturday, March 27th when the ordering period closes. IF INTERESTED please make sure to read these TWO key steps before taking any action: Step #1 - Identify your location's current estimated pickup date in the picture below

Over the course of the last month or so I've shared the ongoing transformation our farm is making, and the positive impact it will have for our animals, the farm, our community and you, the end consumer. The feedback we've received has been both encouraging and heartwarming, and Beth and I are so grateful for the support of our loyal customers who we feel are partners in this project. Today, I have the pleasure of announcing an exciting way that you can begin to partake in the end result of this project, and enjoy an awesome savings during our first annual Pork Harvest Sale Event.

Okay, so before we get started, I wanted to make sure to mention that you will want to check back here next week to learn about an important offer you will not want to miss!!! Now, as you know, January 30th I announced that we're going to start butchering our animals raised and sold through Nature's Gourmet Farm website and we are building an on-farm carcass cooler and fabrication room to complement our new freezer! Since then our newsletters have focused on the perspective of our animals, your farmer, and our customers. Today, is the final perspective on our farm community. First, we need to think a lot simpler.

January 30th I announce that were going to start butchering our animals raised and sold through Nature's Gourmet Farm website and we are building an on-farm carcass cooler and fabrication room to complement our new freezer! February 6th our farm newsletter was about the positive impact this will have on our animals especially at end of life as well as how it positively impacts the quality of their meat and our farm's long term viability. Last week I wrote about Your Farmer's Perspective and received a lot of comments. A sampling includes:

January 30th I announce that we are building an on-farm carcass cooler and fabrication room to complement our new freezer! Last week our farm newsletter was about the positive impact this will have on our animals especially at end of life as well as how it positively impacts the quality of their meat and our farm's long term viability. My plan was to continue the discussion today from Your Farmer's Perspective. However, I need to take a brief pause to make sure I fully have my thoughts together. Frankly, this week has caught up with me and Friday evening came way before I was ready.

Last week I announce that we are building an on-farm carcass cooler and fabrication room to complement our new freezer! To help you understand, your farmer will also be your butcher. Ethan at Homestead Farm & Packing commented this will put our farm way ahead of all other farms! Many of our customers wrote back. A sampling of the comments include: * I love these emails!!! And am pleased and proud to partner with y’all * So happy for your growth and smart business decision * Awesome!! * I am so excited to hear this!!!! Congratulations on this new venture. Am eager to place my whole pork shares with you soon * This is fabulous!

Late December I mentioned that one of our objectives for 2021 was to improve our interaction with our farm customers. Then, a few weeks ago we mentioned how our current freezer was a bottleneck (to small) and that we are in the process of building a new & larger one. Then we will be able to carry more inventory hopefully to prevent stock outs and allow us to add exciting new items like lamb and seafood. Today, I want to announce that we are also building a carcass cooler and fabrication room to complement our new freezer! This is a real game changer for our farm. To help you understand, your farmer will also be your butcher.

Hey all, this is Eric, Ben’s oldest. He (Ben) asked me to write for this week’s newsletter. Today I’d like to briefly discuss eggs and the misleading labeling that often surrounds them. As some of you may remember, I started on the farm about a year ago taking over the care of our laying flock. I also care for our broiler (meat) chickens once they are moved to pasture. Guess that makes me a chicken tender! Anyway, some of you probably go into the grocery store and see all the variety of eggs for sale. So many different options, and so many labels—ones like cage free, free range, organic, etc. So what does each label actually mean?

It is never a dull moment at the farm! There is always something that needs to be done. One of the techniques I learned in the mid-1990's through the Air National Guard was how to set priorities. The demonstration included four (4) different size rocks ranging from large to the size of pea gravel. Oh, they also used a fixed size container. First, the smaller size rocks (the pea gravel) was put into the container. Then the next size, then the next larger size. These three sizes filled the container to where it was impossible to fit the largest rocks inside. Next, they started over. This time the largest rocks were added first. Then ,

Before I talk about changes coming at retailers let me give you an update on our newest bundle - *NEW* Winter Comfort Bundle. We launched this bundle December 28th to our Coast route so they could make an order before the deadline closed Dec 30th. And then opened to all locations Jan 2nd. The launch closed Jan 4th. Forty-three bundles (almost 1000 pounds) were sold in 5-days. Most customers also bought additional items to include our new Seasonings from Bearded Butcher. Our customers really like bundle options. And, we plan to offer more choices in the future. If you missed out on the launch of this new bundle - no worries! You can find it now listed as Winter Comfort Bundle with all the same products included less the 2# of free ground beef. Since opening our USDA Poultry Processing Plant in 2019 we got on the mailing list of a magazine titled meatingplace

This week we announced our new Comfort Foods bundle and added a collection of classic comfort foods and delicious new seasonings to our online store. We decided to create this new Winter Comfort Foods bundle that includes roasts, whole chicken, and ground beef for a few reasons that I'd like to share with you today. First and foremost, as the temperatures drop a bit it sure is nice to look forward to enjoying a roast, meatloaf or bowl of your favorite savory stew, chili or soup. It truly is the heart of Comfort Foods season.