November 2023 CSA Newsletter

Curious Cows always looking for treats

First snowfall on November 1st! Its been such a lovely fall and it gave us time to winterize many ( note that I did not say all!) things. Still trying to figure a better way to water the beef herd during winter. Currently several heavy-duty hoses are unraveled(?) or unspooled(?) across a 200 foot span and it picks up all the mud, snow and ‘other biological matter’ along the way. Makes for a sodden mess and we keep putting our brains to the task of coming up with the ‘better way’. Digging into the ground and just piping it across is a nice plan, except the farm is situated on a bluff of… granite. It slopes and undulates with some bits sticking out and others being 10 feet below the surface. Getting enough pipe across, deeply enough so it doesn’t bust during our sub-zero temps is the tricky part. If anyone has an amazing idea, we are game!

In other news, the very last lambs and sheep left the ranch this week. Our flock is gone and we are both happy to see them being used by others or we ( and you!) will have the already harvested lamb in the freezer for the next few months, but also a bit sad to see such lovely animals go. We have had sheep for over 20 year now and the ranch feels a bit emptier for them being gone. A couple of main reasons brought us to selling off the flock – Not finding breeding rams was a big one, the last one we found several years ago was from Virginia and the owner has since retired. The other is getting slots at our USDA meat processor are nearly impossible. They have their hands so full of beef, pork and deer during the season and understandably can only do so much. So, for now we will have lamb until it runs out and are taking this winter to ponder what options we would like to explore going forward!

Your invoice will come out on the 21st and I will post this newsletter on our blog shortly after. I will also email you the link so you don’t miss the news. If the first shipping date doesn’t work for you, just let us know and we can arrange a later ship day. Here is the upcoming schedule!

November Shares Shipping; November 7th ( or any other week)
December Shares Shipping; December 5th ( or any other week)
January Shares Shipping; January 2nd ( or any other week)

Share options for this month ( below is an example share for a Small Beef, Pork & Chicken, your share may be different) are pretty flexible, let us know if you would like to switch out any cuts or need something for a special dinner. LAMB! Finally… if you love it and want a 5 lb. additional share ( $75) let us know or we are happy to add some to your current share. Just let us know!

Boneless Beef Chuck or Sirloin Roast OR Whole Chicken ( for Thanksgiving!)
Ground Beef or Patties ( 1/4# or 1/3# )
Ground Pork or Sausages ( Breakfast, Sweet or Hot Italian, Chorizo or Kielbasa)
Bone-in Pork Chops or Country Style Ribs or Smoked Bacon
Pork Spareribs or Pork Kabob
Chicken Leg/Thigh packages, Drumsticks or Wings
LAMB!! Ground, Stew, Kabob, Chops, Ribs, Leg, and more!

You can order Maple Syrup, Honey, Meat Sticks, Jerky, Summer Sausage and Sourdough Bread and we will add it to your share. Just email us with what you are looking to add and we do the rest!

Do you enjoy the hibernating affects of winter? When I was younger, the weather didn’t stop me and going out to do SOMETHING was goal. Now, going outside to see what the puppy has dug up and is so proud of, to scratch the heads of a few pet beef while feeding them and the enjoyment of coming home and soaking up our wood heat… hard to compare the feeling. I hope you see snowflakes and early sunsets and can soak up the hygge of the season.

Cheers,

Kassandra

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