They are fun, noisy, but oh so cute.

On a totally different note we were brought to a dead stop about two weeks a month ago ( I was scared to post this, had to work up my courage) when our processor was shut down but the USDA. Yup, you read that right!

Tom explained that a pig they were to kill did not go down when it was stunned, it was quickly stunned again and when it did not go down, they ran to the other room for the gun and killed it quickly. The USDA inspector shut them down with the reason of ‘response time was too slow’. Tom was pretty upset, the USDA had approved them keeping the gun off the kill floor itself because of safety and now shut them down because it was? What he hated most was that someone had brought in an injured animal to kill and it sat out there for at least two days ( again USDA requirements!) instead of being killed and yet if you ask them, the USDA does not allow inhumane treatment. Ugghhhhh! I appreciate that we have requirement for humane treatment, cleanliness, etc. but what I do not appreciate is there lack of common sense nor their appreciation for who they are dealing with. Tom, John, Jeff and everyone up there LOVE animals, they are not abusive, if anyone spoke with the truck drivers they would get nothing but good remarks about how they handle the animals. No shock prods or loud yelling, from anyone.

The biggest shock to us is how close we are to not having a business. That is it really, this is the only legal way we have of getting our meat from our field to you. If Tri-Town was to shut down, stop USDA inspections the next nearest location is 3 to 6 hour transit, not something we would consider, for our animals or us. I really hope that this doesn’t sound like a rant but more information about this ‘other’ side of life and what we face.

*UPDATE* Tri-Town was re-opened after three days of being closed, we are VERY happy! Thank you everyone for your prayers and comments, we will keep you all up to date if there is anything that can be done to help!

Our Amish newlyweds neighbors moved in just a few months after purchasing the farm down the road from us and suffered a blow this past Monday, their house burned to the ground. Yesterday, today and for many days to come a variety of English and Amish neighbors, family and friends will be working to rebuild not only their lost home but community. 40 or more men will be outside measuring, sawing and hammering while inside the woman will offer food, sew and replace all that was lost. It is an often overlooked entity; community. We may live in one or work in one but never be part of it. However, what was once a common thing is coming back in vogue. With CSA’s, farmer’s markets, community gardens and the like springing up everywhere, we commune, we share and care. Recipes, family turmoil, loves and losses all shared over a shank of lamb or red luscious tomatoes.

Amish Barn Raising

At a conference several years back that Gardenshare put on, a head of the college ( forgive me for not remembering his name!) said that in years past we had all these small little roads that lead to the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. Then we built paved road, highways and superhighways with lots of box stores that offered ‘everything’ and those small roads were lost with lack of use. We hurried, saved “lots of money”. got a lot more sick and wondered why everyone else was always so harried too. Now, we might linger over the farmer’s market have a little less money but enjoy speaking with a neighbor or helping a friend when they really need it. Like our Amish neighbors, we are re-building those small back roads to community.

This might not be the update we usually share but has been what is on our mind in the past month. We have gone from trying to get even bigger this year ( not sure why bigger is always better?) to considering that perhaps what our real goal this year is to pass on what we know to our sons, nephew and nieces and to slow down a bit and linger over what has been accomplished in the last 10 years. Its been a good month.

Jumping lamb

Lambs going crazy in the warm weather. Boys are getting creative in our snow impaired winter up in the Great North.

Boys create Ice dams instead of snow forts

Upgrade from feeding with 5 gallon buckets. If only you could have seen how they got this pig feeder off of the dump trailer. Oh the excitement.

New pig feeder, yay!

Last but certainly not least, our Pete boy. A Black mouth Cur who originates from VA. These boys do all our herding, protecting and general scally-wagging.  Jack who is always going, going wasn’t available for this photo shoot.

Isn't Pete a handsome boy?

Well, all for now!

pigs out feeding in the snow

Winter has been exceptionally mild. While trading tips on feeding pigs with a wizened farmer he remarks, ‘haven’t seen a winter like this since ’78!’  So many times we laugh at the shortness in history of weather and ourselves and yet the wisest of farmers will know what it will do with a sniff of the air. Ice is clinging to everything up here as we have traded our deep snow for treacherous surfaces. Ice walkers are great for humans but not as handy for our four footed friends, they slip and slide to eat, drink and mingle and we watch, hoping for warmer weather to melt the ice and relieve the tension.

We are finishing this years paperwork and are, quite frankly, surprised! I had guessed that sales had gone down, that from the economy, from more farms and ranches offering good foods, etc, etc that we had shrunk ever so slightly.  John ( The Shepherd) mentioned that whenever we focus on our passion, what we love, not on ‘making money’ you will have been living a full life. We have had a very full year last year, totally blessed by you, our CSA members and we are ready to tackle some ideas we have had shelved for what seems like forever! We are planning on doing grains, whole, milled grains that at first will be used for our chickens and pigs and then for ourselves and you. Maybe even baked goods some day?

Grasse River B goats grazing in early morning

The chickens *should* be done at the end of this month, we have plenty of sheds this year and will be able to position them in the correct pastures for winter. Sheep will be able to lamb quietly and with plenty of room this winter without being prodded and poke by curious cows and pigs. The cows and pigs will share quarters as they seem to enjoy each others company! Sheep shearing before breeding will be done in early September and the final push to clean and close up shop will start. Thankfully we are SO much farther ahead than ever before. It has got us to thinking of fun things we would love to do at some point.

One of them has been a ranch and farm tour, we would love to show you where all the lovely Huntley beef is, our ranch with it variety of critters, Jesse & Krista’s place with there show stopping goats ( seen above) and cheese and top the day off with a cook out. Something in the Fall, when we have time to relax and enjoy ourselves! It seems to be a way of fighting back against the tide of Ag-gag laws trying to be passed in a variety of states. These gag laws would make it illegal to take pictures or footage of barns, animals, etc. This is CRAZY! It use to be a source of great pride, the animals and fields that made a farmer or rancher who he was. So, dreaming, thinking, planning. Let me know if you have any great ideas!

one of our Summer storms

It has been a long but very worthwhile road to get here. We are very happy to announce Jesse & Krista have cheese available for sale starting May 28th! You can pre-order your raw Grasse Plain goats milk cheese. You can call them at 315-322-4769 or email; grasseriverb@gmail.com to place an order or ask questions! They will be offering just a plain white 60+ day aged white cheese and will be adding flavors soon.

• Grasse Plaine – A white, distinct flavor that changes with the seasons and grasses.
• Plaine, Chive & Garlic flavors available.

Pick up of orders by appointment only.

our chickens from last year!

So, don’t forget to sign up for the CSA today, or wait and we will have the order form for chickens ready soon!

cute little lambs

Joy! Cows don’t stay in the fence, orders don’t come on time and kids decide to play in mud puddles right before church. While I might start steaming up and ready to boil, I’ve found it does absolutely no good. Really, even in venting it only makes me feel guilty.  Its finding joy in each and every one of these circumstances that has been the challenge of late. Crazy!? you say, I know. However, it has been amazing the small things you can become thankful for and the joy that is shared with those around you and it comes back to me. The cows getting out? They were quickly gotten back in, no injuries, they thought it was a fun bit of naughtiness. Orders not coming through….gave us some time to plan and prepare for when it did come. They say for every minute you plan you can save 12! Kids in muddy clothing before church? Well, lets just say this is an ongoing challenge