Fall on the Farm

New Sign

Looking good! Thanks Family!

Open House on the Farm Saturday 10/22/11

We would like to invite everyone to visit the farm, meet the animals, and enjoy some (hopefully) great fall weather Saturday 10/22/11. Beef and pork will be available for purchase at that time also. Hope to see you then!

Local Harvest

Almost everything in this picture was grown on the farm. The cheese and wine were purchased from local producers; the pork, sage, beets, and spinach are all from Hickory Field Farm. Even the gourds were unintentionally grown by the goats. A dinner like this is what inspires us to continue farming!

One of my favorite times of the year! Coming back from the butcher with plenty of delicious grass-fed meat to get us through the winter.....as an added bonus, it requires plenty of list making and organizing.....another two things I love!

Porktober

Pork prices and availability will be posted shortly!

Porktober

This is our first year raising pigs. We purchased these four locally as weanlings at about 8 weeks. They went to the butcher this weekend at about 8 months; he told us they are some of the biggest he has seen! However, after comparing feed costs, we learned that our pigs went through much less feed than younger, smaller animals. All the foraging they did in our woods has really paid off! Not only were they healthy, happy animals, but they cost less to raise, and did a phenomenal job of starting to clear the woods....we are now several steps closer to "silvopasture".

September Chicken Processing

The last batch of chickens for 2011. Although Hurricane Irene threw a wrench in our well laid plans we were able to get everything done in one day. Thank you Mary for ALL your hard work...and for getting together some herbs from the garden for our customers to roast their birds with!

Moving the Cows......with help

Although our cows are so accustomed to their daily moves that they practically do it themselves, we decided to bring some helpers with us today. Our four goats didn't mind lending a "hoof", but made sure they weren't left behind on the walk home!

"Orange you glad we took this picture?"

Sunflowers!

Farm to Table

One of our favorite summer activities is preparing meals made from meat and produce we raise here on the farm. What's tasting especially good this year? Summer squash "pasta" and carrots with dill....delicious!

Men at Work

Matt and Neel unloading the crates we use to transport our pasture-raised roasters on processing day.

Woodlot Pork

The Benefits of MIG Grazing

By rotating the herd onto fresh pasture 1-2 times a day, they enjoy a constant supply of lush, clean grass.

New Calves

Two new heifer calves born to our lowline angus cows: here is "Stormy" hiding in the grass, and "The Nugget" visiting with Neel

Fencing is Finished!

At least for now! We are looking forward to getting the cows into their newest field....and, of course, of having one less place to mow! We were able to get most of the posts we used from an old cedar we lost in a storm last winter...they look great and saved both trees and money!

Pastured/Woodlot Pork

Our newest additions! These heritage breed piglets will start on pasture and then move to the woods, where they will follow a rotational grazing model until they are finished and ready for the butcher this fall. More information to follow on our latest project.....

Violet and Cupcake

Our 2010 babies will be ready to breed this fall....we look forward to these two beautiful heifers becoming mothers and continuing our lines of healthy grass-fed cattle.

Baby on Board

As calving season for us gets closer, we can really start to see it in our cows.....the sleepless nights will be here before we know it! The anticipated excitement of new calves is laced with a general anxiety that all will be well....

Signs of Spring!

The girls enjoy some water-cooler gossip as we finally see the grass again!

Chickens at Work

The ladies aren't too interested in spending much time in the snow, but they are happy to dig around in their bedding looking for scratch and kitchen treats. This makes their winter bedding excellent compost to get the garden going in the spring!

Staying Warm in the Snow

Despite what feels like endless days of snow, sleet, and sub-zero temperatures, the herd is doing very well. We are continually amazed by nature's ability to care for her own....with their winter coats and some good quality hay they keep themselves warm and dry in any weather.