This Week's Notes 4/17...

    

       Is it spring or summer and I hear winter again for Monday? The outdoor plants don't seem to care, but our whole Tatsoi crop in the hoop house bolted and had to get ripped out already! Luckily, it was restaurant harvest day when I noticed and so Chashu Ramen in Worcester will be putting it on special this weekend. It makes me very grateful that I have multiple outlets to move these moody, temperamental greens!

    With all of the "green stuff" coming up on the other side of the winter animal pasture, we had out 1st frustrating breakout on Wednesday night. We learned our new bull was indeed NOT familiar with electric fencing and was also extremely happy to be out. I don't know if you've ever been around a 1,000lb happy bull, with a full set of horns, kicking and jumping, but it was one of the more frightening moments I've had lately. I wish I had a photo of my face to show you all, when out of habit, I ran for a feed bucket to have him follow me, and then realized what I had done as he actually came towards me full speed. All in all, it could've been a lot worse, but we sure have some work to do this weekend!

    Farmer Matt is back from his wedding vacation and gave us a full update! We have many cuts of steak that we haven't had in a long time, the odd parts that people seek out, a new Brisket Short Rib Burger & Smash Burgers,  new pork cuts and some new prepared meals. Make sure to check out those categories. With the new load coming back from the butcher, there was a significant price increase, so also make sure to take note there.

   I was able to catch up with Frederyque's Delights yesterday and get the scoop. She has a new job as an assistant to some authors and has been traveling around the country! Since orders were so low for her recently, she has decided to pop in when she can, in hopes that people will take advantage of her baking when she is available. This week her items are off and also Sweet Aria's is off for school vacation, while Brynne's Breads & Whoopie Doo hold the baking fort!

   It was great to hear from Twin Pines Farm this week. Our help with their sales last year allowed him to get his hoop tunnel going and he has some new kale & spinach to offer- perfectly timed as Still Life Farms Kale & Chard has expired!

   I was also able to catch up more with our new farm, Fern Mill Farm, when they delivered yesterday. The quails are nicely packaged and they were quite professional. I think everyone will be happy with their products. Since they are coming from Ct, I have stocked up on a few of their products to save them the trip and hope to re-stock monthly.

    Now that I'm writing it all, I talked to a lot of people this week! Rocky Acres Farm reached out again about his struggles with Agrimark (the dairy conglomerate) and his dairy herd (this is why Rogers Farm eventually closed down). We once again ask that those who want raw milk, reach out to me personally since this is not something I can offer or discuss online. We do intend to help him as much as possible. 

   I also can't forget about Monday, when I was asked to speak at a Zonta Club meeting by one of our Members. Little did I know, I would be sat right next to Anne Gobi, who was very interested to learn about what we do here at Farmer at the Door and extremely quick to understand the challenges we face and I could see her wheels turning, thinking of who I should talk to. There is grant money for refrigerated vans in Ma efforts to become more food independent, so I will be looking into that which would allow us to gather more and store more overnight as a start.

   All in all a busy and interesting week! Besides cow fencing, I have to get the last of the peas in the ground for you all and the 1st round of outdoor potatoes in. I am determined to have fresh potatoes for you over summer, when no one else offers them and I was able to score some of your favorites- including the Yukon Gold!