FEBRUARY 2025 CSA NEWSLETTER
This has been a fantastic winter thus far. Cold enough to keep the ground stiff, which makes the beef and farmers happy. You might think the opposite to be true, warm temps, no snow and easy living? Not quite. The beef grow a fantastically thick coat and with their gigantic fermentation vats ( the four compartment stomach that allows them to break down grass into energy) they have quite the inner heating system. Often on days where I cringe to go outside into the blowing, biting snow I will find the beef herd, butts to the rocks, snow covering their back, eating hay without a bit of sluggishness to them. Instead, at times we have to watch them closely as they will become crafty when we feed hay, escaping into the hay storage pile, just to playfully kick up there heals and snub their fellow bovines.
It won't be long until tapping season is here. Once the sap begins to run the syrup houses that dot our county will begin to steam as the water evaporates off of the sap. Ever tried our syrup over pancakes with a side of bacon? We do this for supper sometimes, a bit of a treat for a cold day outside. You can add some syrup to your share, or honey... The MacCue's have been experimenting and have a few new Honey Creams to offer; Plain, Cinnamon, Autumn Spice, and Citrus. They are $9 per 10 oz. glass jar. Let me know if you would like us to include one or all four!
Share invoices come out on the 21st of every month 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!
- February Shares Shipping; February 3rd or another week
- March Shares Shipping; March 3rd or another week
- April Shares Shipping; April 7th or another 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.
- Beef Brisket, Rump, Bottom Round, London Broil, Sirloin, Sirloin Tip, or Chuck Roast
- 1-2# of Ground Beef OR Patties (1/4# or 1/3#)
- Ground Pork, Sausages ( Breakfast, Sweet or Hot Italian, Chorizo or Kielbasa) OR Bacon
- Berkshire Pork Chops Bone-in or Boneless
- Berkshire Pork Shoulder, Fresh Ham Steak or Cutlets
- Chicken Boneless/Skinless Breast, Drumsticks, Wings or Feet (2-3# pack for broth)
Lots going on despite the cold weather. We are sorting out new feed options after Lakeview Organic Grain Company retired after 60 years. A few companies are trying to fill the void and we are hopeful that we can find one that, 1. Delivers to our area of remoteness... for anyone who didn't realize, we are practically in Canada. 2. Can deliver not just an organic grain, but offering a Soy Free version of both our pig and chicken feed. 3. Lastly, that they deliver in a decent time frame. It is like going grocery shopping for your family and finding out that all the grocery stores didn't restock. Empty shelves and the kids are asking "Whats for dinner?" Only, it is multiplied by 600 mouths. Finding a good relationship with a feed supplier we both trust and can follow though will either make or break if we can offer our pastured pork and chicken to you all. Kinda big deal!
We hope you enjoy a wonderful hygge type February, replete with candles, delicious food and time to visit with friends.
Warmly,
Kassandra
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