Turkey Talk

Rising feed costs have become an issue for turkey growers this year. I have seen the price of grain fluctuate 25-30% higher because of the drought and corn shortages. With 7 weeks still left to go before slaughter on November 19, and not sure where grain prices will go in that time, I am taking a risk even setting a price. Basically, fresh holiday birds will be high this year. I am setting my price @ $4 lb and think this is fair. If things plummet in the next 7 weeks, and my costs drop considerably, I would love to bring it back down to $3.50 lb, which has been the going rate for fresh turkeys for years.

Either way, know you are getting a turkey that has been raised outdoors (during the day - they are brought in at night to keep them away from predators). They eat a diet of grass, bugs, garden forage, and scraps as well as their pricey grain. Do you think mass produced Butterball birds are raised this way?  Do a little research to find out for yourself.

If you are still interested in making a commitment to buy a 20-25 lb. fresh turkey from me at this price, please email me.  tammy@farmers8.com

Thank you.

UPDATES

Our Farm Stand is officially Closed for the Season. Thanks to everyone who supported us this year. We appreciate your business.

Still interested in finding our products. Mom sells @ 3 local Farmers Markets:

Cumberland Farmers Market, Saturday mornings 9-12 Town Hall, Tuttle Road
Falmouth Farmers Market, Wednesday afternoons 12-4 Route 1 Behind Walmart
New Gloucester Farmers Market, Tuesday 4-6 Peacock Hill Road @ Connemara Farm

Some of these markets will be ending their summer season, but will start indoors so keep up to date on when that will happen by asking.

Also, we have about 15 slots left for farm raised turkeys. These guys are growing a lot, and I anticipate that for my Nov. 19 slaughter date they will weigh in around 20-25 lbs. That is a big bird, but perhaps it's what you are looking for. I have not set my price yet but anticipate it being around $4 a lb, based on grain cost rising this year.

Any ?'s, comment here, or email tammy@farmers8.com

Thanks!

CSA Week 11

Another nice week of weather, some cold nights but no frost and still able to harvest plenty from the garden. Here's this week share.

Cabbage
Onion
Cukes
Zephyr summer squash
Carrot
Chard
Curly kale
Celery
Annelino beans
Romano mixed
Cilantro
Peppers
Russian kale
Red potatoes
Lemon grass - lemongrass and cilantro are both used in Thai cooking. Look up a recipe :-)
Cherry tomatoes
Tomatoes -we were able to harvest some this week without many blemishes. Some of them may not be completely ripe - just leave them in a warm spot like a sunny windowsill and they'll ripen right up

Large share:

Same as above minus Romano beans, add:
Zucchini

Purple beans

Sugar snap Peas

Cheddar cauliflower
Red pepper

Baked goods share:

Oatmeal bread

Almond Joy Granola

Cookies -

3 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

3 Italian Ricotta

Thanks! Have a nice week. Enjoy your share!

CSA Week 10, Sept. 10

Hello Everyone,

Well fall is certainly in the air today and it's a nice change. The garden doesn't care for it as much though. Shorter days, lower temps means a longer time for things to mature or ripen. And of course there is the looming threat that on the next full moon we could get a frost. Fingers crossed that won't happen. We still have 6-8 weeks to fulfill for you all :-) This week we bring you your first winter squash while summer squashes are starting to come to a close. Also, no beans this week - they are slowing down FINALLY! Who knows, that 4th planting may poke it's nose up in another couple weeks. Corn was short lived - this is the last of it. And we gave you a break on chard this week, but as I mentioned with the kale last week, if you WOULD like some chard, just go grab it in the garden. SERIOUSLY....there is plenty :-) Things really aren't looking great for the tomatoes. As they ripen, they are cracking, rotting etc. and it has been hard for us to find somewhat perfect ones to pack up for you. We are hoping this changes, but don't get your hopes up too high that you will be getting an abundance of them. We are bummed about this too, as we typically have so many that after doling out to CSA and farm stand we freeze close to 100 quarts of sauce. Looks like the canned stuff will have to do this winter.

Medium:
Garlic
Sweet Lightening Squash - small delicate winter squash great roasted
8 corn
Zephyr squash &/or Zucchini
Cukes
Turnip
Carrots
Beets
Green Peppers
Chili pepper - not too much heat
Onion
Kale
Romaine
Tomato
Celery - this is pretty dirty, sorry. Last minute picking of it to go in the bags. This celery makes me wonder how they grow the stuff in the store. It is so pale compared to ours. This isn't the stuffing with cream cheese variety either, but it SOOOO flavorful. Remember with celery that the whole plant is edible. No need to waste the greens. They have the same great flavor and treat them like an herb. Chiffonade up and add at the end of cooking!
Dill - this is the head and some fronds. Dice it all up (minus the stem) and it adds the same great flavor. Or use it to pickle something

Large - same as above, minus Sweet Lightening Squash, add:
Buttercup squash
Cantaloupe
Cheddar Cauliflower

Baked Goods:
Country White Bread
Cinnamon Raisin Granola
Hawaiian Cookies

Enjoy!

CSA Wk. 9, Sep. 3

We are app. 1/2 way through the CSA, depending on how long the weather lets us harvest. Some things will be ending their season soon, while others will just be starting. It's been a weird year - some things we have never had issues with didn't do so well because of all the rain, like potatoes. We will have some but not tons. Broccoli - usually we have an abundance of this, but those were plants we had to seed 3 times, and we just never seem to have enough to give to everyone. Wondering if the cauliflower plants are going to start making cauliflower heads, or just be huge green foliage in the garden. Hoping to have eggplant soon, and The tomatoes are doing ok, the cherry tomatoes more so than the regular. We hope going into September they will thrive and we hope to share more of them with you.

This weeks shares:

Medium:
Rutabaga - peel, dice, boil & mash. Or peel, cut into slices, and make a gratin.
Beets
Carrots
Onion
Zephyr Summer Squash
Corn - 1/2 dozen (could have worms, we did not spray it this year - just cut around that worm spot if you find one). You don't just have to boil corn - cut it off the cob and saute it, or make a side of fresh corn with some cilantro & lime
Tomatillos - these are husked wrapped green tomatoes basically, though they are sweeter and never ripen like tomatoes. They are great in Mexican recipes, raw diced or sliced in tacos. Oh, that little fresh corn dish I just mentioned would be great with some of these thrown in.
Cherry Tomatoes - take a pint off the table
Flat Romano Beans - mixed yellow/greenRomaine Lettuce
Swiss Chard
Cukes
Tomato - Heirloom varieties, not as pretty but super tasty.
Basil
Cilantro

We gave you a break from kale this week. If you wanted kale, just say so. It's super easy to pick and we can grab it last minute.

Large Share:
Same as above, but add:
Celery
Broccoli
Green Cauliflower
Corn - dozen

Baked Goods Share:
Bagels
Almond Joy Cookies
Hawaiian Granola

CSA Wk 8, Aug. 27