January 2026 CSA Newsletter

Writing this on the last day of fall... yesterday we reached nearly 60F, had a windstorm, they called for a thunderstorm, hail came, and then snow. All of the snow we that had already fallen ( almost a foot?) has melted in the rapid jump of temps, only to plunge back down again. Almost like a winter reboot. This morning Cole and I drove around our local villages delivering end of the year orders and CSA shares. Roads were quiet and many lingered in warm homes, enjoying the stillness that holiday breaks allow. 

The beef are enjoying the winter sheds, especially yesterday during the driving rain. It is about the only time they actually go in to 'hide' from the weather. Even during sub zero temperatures, they prefer to roam in the wooded areas, eating hay and keeping their four-compartment stomach topped off. The heat they generate from that complex and amazing organ is stunning. 

I did my first show with the tallow balm and SOLD OUT the first day! ( just envision me jumping up and down for joy.) Pretty sure the timing was just right, with winter storms and dry skin, everyone was up for trying it and once they tried it, even those who walked away rubbing it in came back saying their skins felt lovely to snag a jar. Many of you tried it last month and we would love to send some in your share. Made from our very own grass fed/finished tallow, local beeswax or organic Jojoba, Olive, or Castor Oil and infused with essential oils for amazing smelling balm. Skip the petroleum products and grab this instead. $8/jar - CSA member price only! As of right now the options available are;

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 updated shipping schedule;

• January Shares Shipping; Jan. 5th or any other week
• February Shares Shipping; Feb. 2nd or any other week
• March Shares Shipping; Mar.2nd or any other week

Share options for this month. Below is an example Small Beef, Pork & Chicken Share, your share may be different and we are open to customizing your share - just ask! 

• Boneless Pork Loin OR Shoulder Roast OR Whole Chicken 
• Ground Beef (1-2) OR Patties ( 1/4# or 1/3#)
• Ground Pork, Sausages ( Breakfast, Sweet Italian, Hot Italian, Chorizo or Kielbasa) OR Smoked Bacon
  
• Chicken Drumsticks, Wings, Organs ( liver/heart), Backs or Feet
• Beef Short Ribs, Osso Bucco or Sandwich Steak
• Beef NY Strip, Porterhouse, T-bone, Flank, Flat Iron OR Skirt Steak
• Or Your choice of extras; Ground Beef or Pork, Sausages, Bacon, Snack Sticks, Jerky, Summer Sausage, Huntley's Maple Syrup, MacCue's Honey or Honey Creams, Raquette River Coffee, or All Chicken Pet Blend.

A moment, for my zinnia bed from summer. Think of the hum of bees & other insects, the buzz of a hummingbird taking a drink, the small rustling breeze that keeps this bed of flowers always in motion. Much like our lives, right? Many of you have traipsed through the years as I wondered if kids would every be able to go/use a bathroom by themselves (2003-2005 or so), would a husband ever not need to have two jobs to float this dream ( 2001-2016), would we have a butcher to work with (2014-2016), would a pandemic take us out (2020-2022), who will do all the work? (2021-2025) and you know... all of those have been answered. The kids have indeed figured out the bathroom thing, the husband came home in 2016 and it will be a decade of the four of us, living a not ostentatious but contented life working from this ranch. Our butcher remains, 40+ years and has himself passed the business down to his two sons. We may show the stretch marks from the pandemic, but it showed us that community matters. Again, as many family & friends have moved to other states and we have been asking how we can downsize or out source work - surprisingly, the kids and community showed up again to not just carry us through, but blast it out of the park. 

Ends of each year make me nostalgic. Wrapping things up will be on my agenda for the next 10 days. That and some puttering away on random things that have absolutely no importance but I will find quite enjoyable. Rest can be found in a number of ways and this will be mine. Plenty of time to ruminate on what 2026 will hold and be ever so grateful for all the 2025 gave to us. May each of you so blessed. 

Warmly & with grateful hearts,
John, Kassandra, Eathon & Cole