Letter writing works! on February 6th, 2010

Just two months into our natural meats processing division that had been in the planning phases for over two years, we were met with unfortunate news.  The governor had announced a 50% budget cut in the Meat and Poultry Inspection division of the Board of Animal Health.  This is the agency that oversees meat processing destined for retail sales.  The impact of a 50% budget cut looked like a defunct program.  The impact would be the inability to locally produce retail meats.  The option we saw was to go ahead with Federal Inspection which would have taken more time and energy or let industry that desires the consolidation of all meat through four major processors country wide to win the battle.  Despite big business factory farms, there is a push to support local agriculture through the USDA as can be seen by the success of two grants and multiple programs and training sponsored by the USDA to encourage these regional systems.  The USDA sees merit in supporting regional and local distributioon of foods.  It just makes sense.  Consolidated food systems create the food contamination scares like E.Coli outbreaks and recent peanut scares.   Local government is under tremendous fiscal pressure to “find” money and the Meat and Poultry Division seemed to be a piece of that “found” money.  Thanks to communication through letter writing,  a good medium ground was found.  The State program determined areas they could cut while ensuring that the program would be around to provide quality Indiana products.  A 50% budget cut was not realized.  Merit in our local agricultural system was seen and the impact of its threatened loss was realized.  Jobs were saved.  Our mission to bring choice in local meats produced without antibiotics, growth hormones, and protein tubs can now continue.  I am glad we chose to speak our minds, the state inspectors appreciate it and our customers appreciate it.  A special thanks goes out to all who join us in the quest for good local food choices.

Check out all of the updates! on January 30th, 2010

The website has been updated with our latest news!  Take a look around.  Share the link with a friend.  Together we can spread the word about good food.

At the Farm, at the Market, or at our Retail Outlet…………… on January 30th, 2010

We are pleased to expand the availability of locally produced meat from our farm and other sustainable growers.  Give us a call and let us help you make the choices that best meet the need of your family.

Let us know if you need a wholesale or retail price list.  Call (765) 324-2161.

Specials **This week we have on special hams and bacon for $5.00/lb.  In preparation to carry all natural no nitrate pork products we are closing out what we have carried in the past.  The pork was fed certified organic grains, raised on pasture, but processed traditionally.  You can take advantage of our switch in product type and clear out the October processing in time for the new processing.  Pork Steaks are also on special for $4.00/lb

We have……….

100 % Grass fed Beef  (Erick is so happy to once again have steak in the freezer! )

• ground beef                                        $5.50/lb
• chuck roast                                         $5.25/lb
• arm roast                                             $5.25/lb
• rump roast                                          $5.75/lb
• cubed steak                                         $5.50/lb
• sirloin steaks                                       $9.50/lb
• rib steak                                                 $13.00/lb
• porterhouse and T-bones               $15.50/lb
• beef liver                                                 $4.00/lb
• soup bones                                             $3.00/lb
• quarter side, halves, or whole beefs priced at $3.50/lb plus processing

eggs $4.50/dozen.  I am happy to once again have them available.  We have been working hard to get good leafy hay to the chickens that have been missing the greens that make those large yellow-orange yolks.  I am seeing an improvement already. 

Organically fed  and pasture raised chicken-

• whole               $4.80/lb
• breasts            $8.50/lb
• thighs               $6.00/lb
• drumsticks     $5.50/’b
• wings                 $4.00/lb
• broth pieces  $3.00/lb

Naturally fed and pasture raised chicken-

Pastured heritage turkey  ($5.95/lb)

100% grassfed lamb  Still taking orders for whole or half lambs to be cut to your specifications.  $5.50/lb plus processing

The following cuts are available from the freezer. 

Pastured Pork- Still taking orders for whole or half pigs to be cut to your specifications.  Cuts are now available from the freezer.

• sausage            $6.00/lb
• pork burgers $6.o0/lb
• ham                   $5.00/lb  on special to make way for new recipes!
• bacon               $5.00/’b   on special to make way for new recipes!
• fresh side        $5.00/lb
• loin chops       $7.50/lb
• steaks                $4.o0/lb on special.  We enjoyed fantastic barbecued pork made with these steaks last week.
• shanks               $4.00/lb
• bratwursts       $9.00/lb
•  Special Orders can still be made.   We have a few small half hogs available and ready to go.  They offer roughly 60 lbs of meat and are priced at $3.15/lb plus processing of $60.

 Cow and goat shares-running a waiting list

Locally Raised, Traditional Meats-  We also now have a full line of locally raised but traditionally grown meats for sale.  If you have wanted to support local farms but been unable to afford the higher cost of organically raised and or naturally raised meats, we can now meet that need as well.  It is all about choice.  We can help you understand the differences, exactly who raised the meat, how it was raised and what the taste differences might be.  With this information, you can make the best decision for your family. 

This is a great time to make sure we have your order on file so that as soon as we process we can fill your order.  We want to grow exactly what you want us to grow.  Let us know what you would like.  Call (765)436-2186 (farm), (765) 324-2161(retail and processing division), or email Jessica.

We look forward to seeing you at the farm anytime by appointment, at our new retail location during business hours, or at your delivery site at a prearranged time.  We will be at the Traders Point Creamery on Saturdays from 9 t0 12.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Spring is coming! on January 30th, 2010

Jada with the 1st lamb of the season

Better than the sign of the ground hog, is the birth of the first lambs.  It is the first sign for us that spring is coming before long.  Recognizably not soon enough for some.  Here at the farm we have lambs hopping around in the snow and the next round of baby chicks being raised to produce fantastic pasture raised eggs in 5 months, to remind us that winter won’t last for ever.  This thought is often matched with enthusiasm but sometimes with a small level of panic when I think of the many winter projects not yet complete.  But in the end,  I always welcome the first signs of promise for good things to come on the farm.  Thank you for your support of new life here at This Old Farm!

Would you like to see your workplace or school offer local food options? on January 17th, 2010

Erick and Jessica Smith have always had the mission to feed 100 families all their protein needs off their land.  Now, through the grant sponsored farm alliances they have a goal to help distribute for 100 local sustainable family farms.  Currently their are 20 family farms ready to supply central Indiana with a broad list of locally grown produce and meat.  Do you know of a contact where we should send information about the benefit of supporting local agriculture?  We are set to make local buying on a larger scale as stream lined as possible.  Your help in finding the right contacts at your workplace, favorite restaurant, or school is much appreciated.