|
April 2011 Producer Notes
Shady Oaks Family Farm
| |
Announcing New Additions
My, my, it is hard to believe that this year is ¼ of the way over! I know that sounds silly, but it seems just like yesterday we were enjoying Christmas and the rest of winter. Now we are in full swing here at the farm. We have been pretty busy this past month. Our garden is well on its way. We have kale, lettuce, radish and onion planted as well as several varieties of potatoes. And as you read this we will be planting our corn.
In case you missed our notes last month we had two new additions in our Goat herd, two bucks, which we are offering for sale, if anyone is interested in a goat for 4-H or to add to their dairy herd call the number below and let us know. So we have been busy milking several of our does. (Latest update another doe had her kid and it was yet another buck! So we have 3 for sale!)
Our chickens are doing well, and I think they are rather pleased that spring has arrived. We have some new additions to our Chicken family. In fact for the past few weeks Andrew has been busy building a second Chicken coop and preparing for these ladies to be moved outside. Yes, for the past few weeks we have had 30 chicks, 1 dog, and 6 children all living under the same roof. We have found it the easiest way to keep a close eye on the chicks and the children love to watch them. Our oldest daughter plays piano in the room where we keep the chicks, and I do believe the little chicks enjoy the “culture.”J We have added some Rhode Island Reds, more Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks to our stock. These little fluff balls won’t be laying for several months yet, but we will certainly have more eggs available this fall. Watch us later this summer for an increase in our supply.
Some folks always ask what has everyone been up to. Well, you already know Andrew has been busy preparing the new coop for the hens. Caleigh and Faith have been working in the garden with a little help from mom, when I can. I share myself between homeschooling the children, inside work and outside. (Shame a mom can’t really split herself into 3 people.J) Sarah has taken over a lot of the inside work that Caleigh used to do during the winter. Grace and Joshua are our helpers wherever we need them. The girls and I will be experimenting with soap making and other products made from Goat’s milk this summer. We hope to be selling some in the near future.
Speaking of milk, we still have some FARM FRESH GOATS MILK for sale. If you are interested in purchasing any from us call and we will set up a time that you can come out to the farm and pick up your milk. I know for some of you that may be a bit inconvenient, but we must follow state regulations and we can only offer our milk straight from the farm. I believe our prices and the freshness of the milk will make it worth your time!! We would love to have you out and show you around. So give us a call at 405-614-5990 or 405-614-5991 and we will set up a time for you to come out. Don’t delay, we have a limited supply and it will go quickly.
Well, we still have a few more additions planned in the coming months. So stay tuned to our future producer notes to be up to date with the happenings on our family farm.
That is all for now,
From all of us at Shady Oaks Family Farm
|
Windeater Acres
| |
Duck eggs are back! After a winter hiatus, our girls are laying again and we are gathering lots of white-shelled and pastel green-shelled eggs. We raise seven different heritage breeds of duck, including Khaki Campbells, Welsh Harlequins, Golden Cascades, Silver Appleyards, and Runners. Their eggs are typically in the large or larger range and each dozen is classified as jumbo by net weight. Item ID # 9275
Are you doing some Easter baking? Duck eggs make baked goods fluffier, moister, and richer than chicken eggs.
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/member-recipes/BakingwithDuckEggs/2073
Have an allergy to chicken eggs? Many of those allergic to chicken eggs can often use duck eggs instead. (People with severe allergies should check with their physician first.)
Want more information on our ducks? Please visit our farm notebook at windeateracres.farmnotebook.com
Thanks for considering our product and supporting farm-fresh Oklahoma grown and produced food.
Deb Willis and Lydia Zackery, Farmers
|
Whitmore Farms
 |
Spring is springing on Whitmore Farms. Our spring calving season is coming to an end, insuring we will have plenty of fantastic beef to sell. And this pleasant warm weather makes everyone want to dig out the grill and enjoy some of that great beef.
So check out Whitmore Farms list of steakhouse quality steaks for sale.
|
Pork & Greens
 |
Hello Coop friends! Things are getting busy at the farm with new litters arriving and getting ready for the market season that starts on April 9th for us.
We’ve had 4 litters since our last notes. Geez and Myfoot farrowed 3 weeks ago, and had 11 and 9 piglets respectively. In the last 2 days Perk and Twiggy farrowed. Perk had 14 and Twiggy had 11 or 12, she hasn’t let me get close enough to get an exact count yet. All the moms and litters are doing well and growing like the weeds starting to pop up.
We’ve got a pretty big listing with a few things like shoulder and ham roasts that we haven’t listed in a while, along with 2 new products. The first is one we’ve tons of requests for, a Hot Italian Sausage. We fixed some the night we picked it up with penne pasta and pesto, and it was wonderful. It’s not super hot by any means. The other new product is some Large Pork Loin Roasts that are a good size to make pulled pork, fajitas, or what I’m going to do, grill and then chop into BBQ.
Thanks again for your support of local farmers and producers!
Stephen Green |
Anichini-Moore Ranch & Farm
 |
Plenty of reasons to celebrate or buy from Coop Producers this month including Easter and other faith holidays, Earth Day and International Composting Week! The poster for International Composting week is both amazing and inspiring, so please check it out!
Speaking of compost, we held an OK Composting Council meeting on March 24th at the Conservation Commission Office and have hopes of having an approval soon to operate as a 501c3 under the umbrella of the High Plains RC&D. We have more reasons to celebrate because we recently learned that most of our composting equipment will be in place before the end of April!
So, please join the April celebrations by celebrating all the holidays mentioned above and buying and eating our pastured heritage meats and one beef that are ecologically grown for wonderful old world flavors and health properties by being raised on grass and hay! And watch for additions of spring garlic and rhubarb.
Thank you all for your support and for your business! We love our customers!
Kathy
|
American Heritage Family Farm
| |
Hello everyone! We are so excited about the upcoming busy season on the farm and hope you are too! We have some great bargain specials to kick start the new season this month!
Grab your friends and family and plan to share a 1/2 or 1/4 head of GREAT BEEF this month! We have great carcass pricing -- and note we price them as FINSHED CUTS -- this includes all processing -- so you get what you pay for -- there is no shrinkage as there is with hanging weight pricing. In addition to the great price we are also offering FREE GROUND with each carcass. With the 1/2 carcass priced at only $5.75 per FINISHED CUTS, that means you are paying not much more than ground beef pricing for all cuts on a beef -- including those great steaks, briskets, roasts, etc! Now that is a bargain! And don't forget the EXTRA 15# of ground beef we are including this month! Cuts are vacumn sealed so it will keep well for over a year in your freezer (ground is in tubes.) If you cannot use this much, arrange to split it with others. This beef is from our prized purebred Black Angus Cattle and we promise it will be the best beef you have ever eaten or we will buy it back! We will contact you for specifics on when you would like delivery, how you want it cut, how large you want pkgs, etc. We ask for a deposit of $100 at time of order and you may make payments or pay the balance on delivery. This will be for later delivery, as we do not have these beeves processed yet. Shoot us an e-mail or call and we will work out what works for you!
Chicken legs are the Bargain this month in the poultry category! These are 1# pkgs priced at only $4.99 pkg. These are large meaty legs -- great for many flavorful dishes! We still have a fairly good selection of the poultry, however it will be another 6 weeks until we process more, so it is best to stock up this month to carry you through. We have just a few pkgs of ground turkey left also -- this has been a real hit with our customers so we are ramping up turkey production this year. We have 100 more baby turkeys on their way next week, then it will be another 5 months before we have more turkey.
and sign up for an account. You will then get our weekly blogs about life on the farm, availability of products, times of delivery to your area, etc. We hope you will become a member of our farm community on this site!
We appreciate you -- our customers and partners in this joint venture of sustainability, great healthy food, and happy animals!
Gary and Tera
|
Oklahoma Organic Garden Planner
| |
Gardeners are shifting into high gear this month as winter is past & warmer days are upon us. By mid-to-late month, warm-weather veggies should be in the ground: bean, corn, tomato, melon, okra, peppers, etc. For those off to a late start, the Forms Section can be valuable in getting & staying organized --
* Activity Checklists help you setup garden-related tasks on a monthly basis to do just a little at a time, yet still stay on schedule without having to do too much at once
* Growing Guide is a single-page form which may be personalized; offers much planning & growing info at-a-glance
* Maintenance Log for compost piles or worm bins -- set up & care for what many believe is the most valuable asset any gardener can have
* Crop Performance Record in a 2-page, at-a-glance format; know with certainty what varieties do or do not work for you. Personalize it with your own experience!
* Planting Schedules allow a look at the whole year to fine-tune planting & harvest times; garden efficiently -- produce more in less time!
* Seed Records to help determine what's on-hand & control co$t
Remember, we have SEVERAL vendors to choose from for purchased transplants: Crestview Farms, Duck Creek, High Tides & Green Fields, Jericho Farms, Peach Crest, Renricks Farm and Garden, Skyridge Farm, and Sunrise Acres come to mind. These folks "know what grows" in this part of the country -- they feature tried & true varieties to help you succeed. Not only that, they'll have them ready-to-go at the right time for planting. Check their individual listings each cycle to see what's available. Go to the 'Garden' category, then to either 'Live Plants' or 'Seed' to find out what's being offered. Save time & money, minimize work, yet produce more -- that's what the Planner is all about!
We appreciate your business. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please contact us. HAPPY GARDENING!
Bill & Trudy Smith
midwestsmitty@cox.net
405.732.3361
|
Cocina San Pasqual
Zinnia at Pumarama
looking down on the world, waiting for
her groceries.
|
From soul to soul. Our food is made by hand, which offers healing for our souls and is sent to nourish yours. Experience a little of Santa Fe without traveling (gas is too high and enhanced pat downs aren't fun.) We offer handmade tamales using stone ground masa and enchiladas made with real blue corn tortillas. In addition, our selection includes extensive vegan choices. For a sampling of our foods, try our enchilada or tamale dinners. They are 10% off this month. Buen comida!!
Leah & Bobby Aufill
|
G-J All Natural Beef
 |
Happy Easter to our co-op family,
The FREEZERS ARE FULL! Greg and I spent part of my spring break in the processing plant, packaging and labeling our calves. We want to insure a top quality product from the beginning to the end. We had some special cuts done just for the Easter holiday. We have a standing prime rib roast and some rolled boneless chuck roasts. Do not forget your favorite roasts, we have them too. Arm, chuck, sirloin, sirloin tip, top round, and bottom round roasts. FIRE UP THE GRILL! We have added some hand pressed hamburger patties, vacuum packed so they will not get water logged or leak in the ice chest. Find every steak you can dream of: boneless sirloin, rib eye, NY strip, filet mignon (tenderloin.) For the smoker: you will find short ribs, baby back ribs, and brisket. Did I mention… FREEZERS ARE FULL!
Look for family pack specials and soup bones for you or your pet (special buy on party packs.) Freezers are full!
Farm news: Our registered Angus bulls have been very busy…we have lots and lots of baby calves. The cows are chasing after the calves and after the spring grasses, including the dandelion I planted for them last year. Our butcher stock are born and raised here on our farm. We can guarantee our calves have NOT had any antibiotics, added growth hormones, herbicides, pesticides or even chemical wormers. We use herbs for parasite control. Monthly, the cows are given a dose of black walnut and other herbs to maintain top quality health.
Our grassfed calves are only processed between June and October. Why? For grass calves to have the best flavor they need to be on green pastures, not dry hay. Most of the grass calves are still nursing. Therefore, we only process them during the summer and early fall. Reminder: We push for top quality!!
The Cornish rock poultry chicks will be here in about three weeks and will be grazing on our Certified Naturally Grown pastures. Baking hens and fryers will be back next fall. Ours are truly pastured poultry, grazing and chasing bugs. They get to enjoy sunshine, scratching in the dirt and a good ole’ dustbath.
|
Calvan's Feathered Friends
 |
It has been a busy month for Ima Layer and her girlfriends. One hundred ten new babies arrived last week and are already getting their wing feathers. I have been busy doing some spring cleaning in the trailers to keep the girls more comfortable. There are two new additions to the flock…Sam and Toby. Sam is an Anatolian Shepherd and Toby is a Great Pyrenees. Both are still puppies, but they are protecting Ima Layer from the coyotes. There is only one problem. I cannot leave the big door open to the trailer. If I do, I do not have any eggs to gather on the bottom two layers of nesting boxes. Yep…egg suckers. I’ve tried giving them a doctored egg with Tabasco sauce. They licked their lips and wanted more. So, for the time being the girls have to use the little doors.
Well, off to another baseball game and then to work this weekend at Sears.
Calvan Parker
|
Clear Creek Lavender
 |
After having been out of stock for a couple of months, the perennial favorite Lavender Bud soap is back. (Get it...'perennial' favorite...ahem.) It's freshly cured, looks and smells great, and is ready for your soap dish.
Plus, another Oklahoma limerick:
There once was a woman near Woodrow,
who tilled her own field to make furrow,
All covered in red dirt and clay,
At the end of each hard-working day,
Her lavender soap bath was thorough.
|
Sugarloaf Farms
| |
Spring got a bit of a setback at Sugarloaf Farms with cold rainy weather this week, but we know she's coming and winter is on the way out.
We have some new items and some specials for you this month. We will run our ground beef on special for April so you can stock up for those yummy grilled hamburgers. Also we will add stew meat and continue our chuck and arm roast on special so you can keep this healthy meat in the freezer until old man winter returns.
For those of you trying to shed a little winter weight, we have some 8 oz. ribeyes -- a little bit of heaven for the dieter. We have added New York strip steaks and string wrapped boneless chuck roast as new items. And here's the best for last -- tri tip roast with nearly no fat -- Delicious.
Bon Appétit my friends. If you have a comment or question, send me an e-mail. We'd love to hear from you.
Jessica & Stan
|
Cattle Tracks
 |
Please check out Cattle Tracks for your beef needs and Fairview’s Best for your flour and wheat berry needs. We have a large variety of cuts and more coming from the processor next week. If you’re looking forward to grilling and smoking, how about all-beef, low-fat, tasty bratwurst, burgers, and steaks? For Sunday dinner how about pot-roast, chicken fried steak, or ground beef patties smothered in mushroom sauce? Hungry yet? Order now and check back for more inventory updates during the week. We appreciate the opportunity provided to us by Oklahoma consumers. THANK YOU for allowing us to be your beef, wheat, and flour farmers.
|
Fisher's Produce
 |
Our asparagus is growing! We have both green and purple varieties this year. Both are very tasty. Due to the early start this year, we will have more available this month than during the May order cycle. Get it while you can!!
Other news around the farm: I have been out planting in the garden every day this week. I have also started transplanting our early sweet corn out to the field. We sure do need some rain to keep it growing! All of our sweet corn this year will be natural (Non-GMO, insecticide free.) I plan to use Trichogramma wasps and lace wings for biological pest control and will be posting about the process on my website blog: www.fishersproduce.com/farm-news.html. Thank you for your support of natural and sustainable food!
Luke Fisher
|
Hardesty Cheese
 |
Hello Everyone,
Spring has sprung and we finally have all of our permits to open the plant. We will be a little bit limited on some products as we are trying to supply everyone. This month we are going to go to a static weight. We will offer two sizes of package, one will be a cracker cut (0.4 to 0.6 lb.) and a party pack (0.9 to 1.2 lb.) The price of gas going up and an increase in milk prices will push our prices up slightly, but our cheese is a bargain at any price. LOL We are going to try to communicate though Facebook and Twitter, so friend us so we can keep in touch. We will run specials on the media pages that are only good at our new retail store in Fairview. We have some new products coming out and will be at several Farmers Markets this Year. Thank You for your support and let's make 2011 a great year for local foods.
Order what you want, eat what you can, share the rest, we will make more.
Thank you
The Gift Family: Russell, Denise, Caleb, Callee
twitter.com/hardestycheese
|
High Tides & Green Fields
| |
PEPPER & TOMATO PLANTS
A quick note now to all who pre-ordered pepper and tomato plants: The plants will be ready for pick up the week of April 11th.
Call us if you have questions.
Thanks!
|
naturalfarms
 |
Spring has sprung -- grilling season is here!!! Let naturalfarms provide you with a grill pack special this month -- enjoy the outdoors and sunshine. For only $49.95 you will receive: (approximate 10-13% savings)
Grill Pack:
2 - 10/12 oz Ribeyes
2 - NY Strip Steaks
1 - Package of Ground Beef Patties
2 - Packages of pork sausages (1 Brats and 1 Italian - links)
2 - Butterfly Pork Chops
The items in this pack were processed in our own state processing facilty -- Piedmontese beef from our farm and also locally raised pork!!!
|
Renricks Farm and Garden
 |
Welcome to April. We made it, it is finally Spring. The plants are all budding out and the renewal of the earth from the long and cold Oklahoma winter has started.
The Farmer's Markets are also starting this week in Norman. Come on out Saturday or Wed, 8-12 pm. Stop by and visit. We have a wonderful offering this April with lots of new plants.
We have a lot of new exciting plants to turn your yards into beds of flowing color and food.
I don't know if you have ever tried Elderberry Jelly but it is
wonderful. Fresh berries both blackberry and raspberry are so much better picked fully ripe and consumed as you are harvesting. That is always my problem, I consume more than I bring into the house because they are soooo good. Check out all of our berry plants.
We are growing several new varieties of regal geraniums. These are striking. If you like eye catching colors, these are the plants for you.
Call or email with any questions.
Thanks,
Zarah
|
Lost City Knits
Maaema Scarf
|
Spring is in the air here in Lost City and it's time to think about lace knitting. Now anyone who knows me knows I think lace knitting 24/7, but long skinny light weight scarves are a perfect accent for your warm weather wardrobe.
My new pattern Maaema is my tribute to Spring. Maaema (pronounced May-emma) is the Estonian goddess symbolizing Mother Earth. This simple narrow scarf depicts a profusion of flowers from Mother Earth that are perfect for a Spring scarf -- or anytime you need to bring a little spring into your wardrobe.
The Maaema Scarf requires 400yds of lace weight yarn and a size 4US needle. My finished scarf was 9x60. If you can knit, purl, k2tog, ssk, yo, and skpsso -- you can knit a Maaema Scarf. To celebrate Spring, this pattern comes free with every yarn purchase in April.
Happy Spring and Happy Knitting Everyone!
Lost City Denise
|
Skyridge Farm
 |
Spring is finally sprung-- we are into our gardens again. There is never a guarantee in Oklahoma on the weather and we always plan and plant with careful optimism. Delivery date will be past frost danger and hopefully everyone has a spot ready for this year’s herb garden or butterfly/bee garden, tomatoes and peppers. Plant sorrel in the shade garden and expect to see it all summer and beyond. Sorrel is a very lemony, tart salad herb, very high in Vitamin C. Makes a nice spring soup and adds a real “kick” to a bland sandwich. Also in the shade I have lots of catnip, flat leaf Italian parsley, lemon balm, and Valerian. The cats also love Valerian and I grow it for the fragrant white flowers in the spring. These plants have overwintered in my medicinal garden so they are 2 year old plants and not new from seed this year. Lots of mints for your “tea garden.” Mexican mint marigold is excellent in your tea, also used in place of French tarragon by southern cooks. Stevia for a sunny spot to harvest and use instead of sugar or synthetic sweeteners. For the sunny herb garden we have Italian oregano which has a lot of flavor and a bit of ”heat” to add a kick to your cooking. Greek oregano which adds lots of flavor and Hardy Sweet marjoram which is a mild Italian oregano, with more of an upright bushy growth habit. All oreganos are hardy and heat tolerant. English thyme, lemon thyme, French thyme. Bay trees have put on their spring flush of growth. Mexican mint marigold makes a nice 2 -3 foot bush with yellow flowers all summer. Back again with the Copper Canyon marigold that is the best mosquito repellent plant you’ll find. Plant one of these on each corner of your deck or patio. Very fragrant and tiny yellow flowers all summer. This gets to be rather large by the end of summer. Thinking of your summertime salsa garden -- the tomatoes and peppers are ready to go. A good selection of heirlooms and hybrid tomatoes for Oklahoma gardening. Delicious is a tried and true variety. Pineapple is a huge yellow/orange with red veining tasty heirloom. Patio goes great in a large container, a beautiful plant, tasty red tomatoes. For the bees and butterflies try the Coronation Gold achillea, larger than the Moonshine variety. A great perennial specimen in your cut flower garden. Purple Homestead verbena, a great heirloom, will bloom all summer and be an old standby for texture and color. Firewitch dianthus, another hardy heirloom. Lambs ear adds a silvery contrast and spiky flowers, full sun, good drainage. Confetti lantana, my all time favorite, is the essence of summer time and a happy hangout for the butterflies. Miniature roses for color and scented geraniums for fragrance. It is time to stop and plant the flowers so we can stop and smell them later. Check out Live Plants > Herbs and Live Plants > Vegetables.
Monica
|
Renricks Family Recipes
 |
Hi,
April is here and we have some tasty items for April. Check them out.
Let me know if you are looking for some of our other goodies that I
didn't list this month. I will list them for May or June. I am now on facebook and will start a blog in May on what is baking for
each month.
This year we will be at the Norman Farmer's Market on Saturdays and Wed 8am-Noon. Our opening day was a record breaker in attendance and in the additional vendors. It would not surprise me if it is not the largest in the state. It is the oldest, celebrating its 30th year.
We will also be at the Tuesday market in Chickasha from 7-noon or sell out. It is always good to be there early. We will also be at the Wednesday market OSU at 63rd and Western starting in May.
Thanks,
Renee
|
Anichini-Moore Ranch & Farm
|
We have lots of heritage lamb (Finn and Shetland) and Holstein beef available this month. We are postponing our next trip to the processor until there is more room in our freezers for additional lamb and Belted Galloway! Watch for additions of cilantro, rhubarb, asparagus and possibly strawberries later this month.
We still have CSA memberships available! We invite you to see our website (www.anichinimoore.com) for more information or send us an e-mail! We would love to be your produce provider! We offer discounts for Coop members! We deliver to the OKC/Norman vicinity and will consider other areas on Coop delivery day and during our travels when we notify you via e-mail about additional trips to OKC/Norman regions.
We are sorry we missed a meeting yesterday in OKC about developing food delivery systems! We were not able to attend after attending a board meeting for the Oklahoma Recycling Association in OKC at DEQ on Friday. Fuel prices and time are limiting factors for us this time of year! We remain very interested in participating with all these local/regional food efforts! Additionally, we are busy preparing for a fly to Washington DC, working with Woodward Tourism and The Conservation Commission, Water Quality Division, and others to assist with media coverage for International Composting Awareness Week, the first week in May (mis wrote the month in the last notes!). And, as always we are working on the farm!
On March 24th the Oklahoma Composting Council (OKCC) met at the Conservation Commission, Water Quality Division's office for a brief meeting before some of us headed out to Stillwater for OSU's Green Award for Sustainability Event. We are now one of the honored recipients of OSU's Green Award for Sustainability, nominated by Jeri Fleming, Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute (and OK's Water Plan) and with letters of support by Kefy Desta, OSU SARE/Sustainable Agriculture, and Jean Steiner, USDA/ARS Fort Reno. Craig Coker, Coker Composting and Consulting, from Virginia and the OKCC's at Large Board Member, was able to attend both events!
Thank you all for this wonderful and totally unexpected recognition and honor, which really goes to all the many people who inspire and support our efforts to provide recycling of food or otherwise wasted natural resources for composting and mulch to rebuild our soils and water holding capacities to mitigate drought and grow "ecologically grown" local foods! Our "frame" has always been "Composting For Local Foods!" And, we run ads in the Penny News (www.thepennynewsonline.com) using the header of "Composting For Local Foods" to encourage people to donate their yard and other organic debris. A special thank you goes to the High Plains RC&D, to whom we hope to give the award for display and inspiration for others, assuming they survive the HR 1 cuts.
We are beginning to see signs of asparagus, with one asparagus peeking out of the straw yesterday with the high temperatures and hot dry winds in Northwest Oklahoma! Cilantro, rhubarb and strawberries are also making a showing; and we are busy planting all sorts of different produce crops and mulching with leaves we pick up in the alleyways in Woodward! Yesterday, the 6th grade middle school technology teacher was observing while I picked up leaves and advised me where to find more in our neighborhood. During our chat I invited him to bring his students to the farm so they can see "organic composting technology" in practice, with composting and mulching a routine part of our farm, along with education and outreach about the benefits of soil building, local foods, exercise or health, heritage animals for meat production raised on pasture, water holding capacity via soil building, and mulching, all integral parts of conservation! Visitors can also enjoy seeing dung beetles, horned toads, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies, song birds, turkeys, prairie chickens and other wildlife. There is a rainwater harvesting project for livestock a collaborative demonstration project between our farm and OSU's Storm Water Management Professor Jason Vogel, and some of his students.
We think summer is making an early arrival if the temperatures for Saturday and today are indications of a hot dry early summer! We are in dire need of rainfall in Northwest Oklahoma! We are noticing that the market gardens with the most leaf mulch (whole leaves since we do not own a shredder) have a lot more soil moisture than the areas where we have not had the leaves, or straw to cover the soil. A friend in Taloga has provided us with several straw bales that have worked tremendously to speed up our ability to increase our produce production! We are most appreciative of his help and reward him with lots of produce!
Some of us will be in Washington DC most of this week for a collaborative fly in to support sustainable and organic agriculture, ATTRA, organic research, extension, and RC&D's all facing draconian cuts with HR 1 unless attempts to preserve these vital conservation, local foods, soil building, and job creation programs are rapidly made! We encourage everyone to write or call their respective Congressional Representatives to request reconsideration of HR 1 cuts to these critical conservation and sustainable agriculture related programs and share the cuts with all programs instead! Without funding for the above programs, rural and urban towns, schools, customer choices for local food availability and job creation will suffer accordingly! We believe the cuts will result in more jobs lost in Oklahoma and elsewhere; and more family farmers may be subject to bankruptcy, leaving fewer family farmers and less land dedicated to local foods and conservation!
Please watch for us to add cilantro, rhubarb, strawberries, and asparagus to our inventories sometime before ordering closes. We have no way to predict these crops being ready with our constant weather fluctuation and with being out of town!
Thank you all for your support and just for being there! We sincerely appreciate you and all the work and support everyone of you provides!
Kathy
|
Duck Creek Farms
| |
We at Duck Creek Farms are so happy to be a part of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative. We are quality minded and will win your confidence in supplying the best plants available. If for any reason you are not happy with your purchases, please tell us and we will immediately make it right. We hope to keep adding new products as time progresses.
Duck Creek Farms is offering several varieties of Sweet Potato Plants on pre-order this month. Plants will be available at the proper planting time. Sweetpotato plants can be planted between May up till July in Oklahoma and still get a good harvest. We are offering 12 plants for $6.00 with an additional 10 cents (in May) to generate an invoice for May. We will also run sweetpotato plants next month but the price will be slightly higher so pre-order now and save.
We have one of the largest collections (over 100) of rare and forgotten sweetpotato varieties in our collection. We consider ourselves a sweetpotato conservancy and add new varieties as we locate them. We feel these varieties need to be preserved for the future. If you know of an "Old Timer" farmer with a rare variety, please let us know, so we can get it into our collection before it is lost. Cordner's Red and Redgold are two great examples of Oklahoma introduced varieties that almost went extinct.
Thanks for your support,
Gary V. Schaum
|
American Heritage Family Farm
| |
Just a quick note to let everyone know we are listing bulk bags of spinach -- it will be fresh picked from the field the morning of delivery so it is VERY FRESH. We do not wash -- so you will need to wash. We are selling this in 4# bulk bags for a bargain price of $15 per bag. Excellent time to put some in the freezer for later -- so simple -- just steam lightly, then put in a freezer container and pop in the freezer. Really handy to have around!
|
Peach Crest Farms
| |
Greetings from our farm to you. We are so excited about this summer and the food we will be growing. Our hoop houses continue to be our salvation as they are free from the strong winds and cool nights. We are watering like mad to get the crops going. We were fortunate to have seeds already planted before things really dried up. Next month we will have cabbage and other spring treats as well as some early tomatoes that we started back when there was ice on the ground. Happy Easter and we would love to put some fresh vegetables on your Easter table. Peaches are the size of your pinkie nail!!
Susan for the farm team
|
Whitmore Farms
| |
Thanks to everyone who took advantage of our beef sale last month. We have updated the inventory list, so check out the list of steakhouse quality beef we are offering this month. We will have skirt, flat iron and flank again next month.
Thanks again,
Wayne and Connie Whitmore
|
Heaven Sent Food & Fiber
| |
Hello Oklahoma Food Coop Members!
We are Heaven Sent Food & Fiber. New to the coop but not new to growing vegetables we moved to Oklahoma two years ago and have been working to improve our soils and set up. This spring we are ready to serve you with a 2 acre garden, bee hives, and 60 acres where our Merino Sheep, Alpacas, Nubian Dairy Goats, Jersey cows, laying hens, ducks and heritage turkeys graze.
We spend most of the time in the garden during the warmer months but when it gets cold I make soap, spin and dye yarn that you will see featured here on the coop's web site. We have beautiful raw fleeces available for those of you that spin and felt.
Check out our listings this month and in months to come as our farm produces heaven sent food and fiber -- feeding your family and your fingers!
Coleen Thornton
Heaven Sent Food & Fiber
|
Rowdy Stickhorse Wild Acres
 |
ATTENTION CUSTOMERS!!!
Our family has decided to make ordering a bit easier on our customers. With budgets getting tighter, ours included, we have decided to sell our products at a set rate. This way you know exactly what you are ordering and how much it will cost. No more guessing or calculating on your part, we can’t make it any easier than that.
We just picked up 2 calves from the processor, so we have plenty of Certified Naturally Grown Ground Beef, Ground Chuck, and plenty of wonderful, juicy Steaks. I cooked some Sirloin and Rib-eye steaks for supper last night and there were no leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Bummer.
We have our Oklahoma Farm to Fork Market t-shirts for sale this month. All proceeds go towards a bio-diesel kit for our OFFM producers. Be sure and check us out @ oklahomafarmtofork.com. All of us at OFFM are so excited about our new adventure. I have never been so proud to be working with such committed producers that have the same beliefs and goals as our own. These producers will provide farm fresh clean food straight from their farms to your hands on a weekly basis. We're bringing the entire farmers market to you, complete with handmade casseroles, and canned items. The future of farmers and farmers markets lies with the high tech producers, and believe me, these producers are ahead of the game with iPhones, iPads, laptops, wireless debit & credit, converted buses & trailers, natural gas, and bio-diesel. Our goal is to keep local food as local as possible and lessen our carbon footprint on this beautiful earth of ours.
We are the future of farming, and you are the future of local food. Let us be your LOCAL FOOD connection. Coming Soon to your community! Look for our market bus.
Paulette & the Rink Family
|
Renricks Farm and Garden
Rudbeckia Denver Daisy
Colocasia Mojito
|
Hi All,
Spring is taking off and so are the plants. In the last week all of our lilies are breaking dormancy and by Monday I will have all of them listed for April. I was going to wait until May but they are growing so fast , they will be easier to ship now than when they have buds on them.
We have added more tomato plants, vegetable plants and lots of new flowers that are taking off. Check back by Monday for all new plants. Lots of butterfly and hummingbird plants are already loaded.
All of the new rudbeckia's are ready to go into the ground. Join us this Sat from 8-noon at the Norman Farmer's Market. We are having a big gardening event, seminars, fun stuff and lots of beautiful plants.
Thanks,
Renee
|
Snider Farms
| |
Happy Easter from Snider Farms!
I'm sorry about being so late with my note, but we just got some new gift boxes in that are so cute, and with Mother's and Father's Days coming up (not to mention Easter) I thought someone might need a gift. There are several different choices of patterns and two different sizes -- large and small. They are listed under Gift Baskets and Boxes: Gift Boxes. I am planning on getting some more decorated for birthdays and other occasions later this spring, so stay posted.
Other than that we are busy making peanut butter and getting another computer set up (my old one crashed.) We have a wedding this month, are looking forward to celebrating Easter, and then will celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday, so this is a very busy month!
Looking forward to fixing your orders for peanut butter and peanuts, and decorating a box for you if you need one!
Have a very blessed Easter,
Jamie & Stephanie Snider and family
|
ABLE
| |
Greetings Oklavores,
“The Council for Developmental Disabilities, Inc. operates under the acronym of ABLE --Able Bodies Learning to Excel. ABLE is a private non-profit organization, 501© (3), providing many resources for individuals with developmental disabilities. ABLE's programs let these men and women lead more productive lives. By acquiring self-sufficient living abilities and marketable work skills, people with developmental disabilities can expand their options, lifestyle, housing and employment.”
The above paragraph was taken from the ABLE home page, you can learn more about them at ableinnorman.org.
ABLE stepped up when we needed a place to distribute your Coop orders. In doing so, they sent a clear message that they are part of our community. Their facility serves central Norman coop members very well with ample parking, tables, chairs and restrooms. Now we all have an opportunity to help ABLE. When you place your coop order, scroll to the end of the catalog, to the donations section and send a few (or several) dollars to ABLE. They are completely dependant on their community (that’s us) to pay their mortgages, maintain buses, and much more. Send ABLE a message that we are part of their community too.
Thanks,
Thom
Norman Site Manager
|
Anichini - Moore Ranch & Farm
|
When I left for Washington DC for as part of a Farmer Fly-In hosted by National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Organic Farming Research Foundation, and Organic Trade Association early on April 4th, the outside temperature was about 29 degrees. The day before the high was approaching 100 degrees with high wind gusts over 40 miles per hour in Northwest Oklahoma! These temperature extremes are examples of just how difficult it can be to grow crops ecologically! Then, imagine the added challenges of constant high winds, blowing sands, and persistent droughts!
Wild Weather and Gardening Tip: Start Composting Today!
Composting will improve soil health and increase water holding capacity to help protect your plants from drought and temperature swings! There are many advantages to composting! You can save money on fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, water and pumping costs. Plus, you are recycling and diverting waste from landfills! Just be sure if you use grass clippings or hay or straw that it doesn't contain herbicides. And, if you use manure, be sure to ask if the owner uses hay that has not been sprayed with herbicides! Some potent herbicides may have residual effects that last for years that may kill or stunt your plants' growth and adversely effect their health and yours!
Why not celebrate Earth Day later this month and International Composting Awareness Week the first week in May by beginning to Compost Today! Another way to Celebrate these events is to join the Oklahoma Composting Council (OKCC). OKCC's website is www.okcompostingcouncil.org. Our Farm's website at www.anichinimoore.com is also linked to OKCC's website.
Compost For Local Foods!
The OKCC is waiting to hear that the High Plains RC&D has approved OKCC to operate under the RC&D's 501c3. We should have some feedback any day now! Please join with us if you have interest in rebuilding soils, or as our Farm's slogan and our ads in The Penny News reflect, "We Compost for Local Foods"!
This month we are offering some limited spring garlic! We also have plenty of heritage pastured lamb (Finn and Shetland) and pastured beef from our pasture raised Holstein beef in stock. We are hoping our customers buy plenty this month so we may proceed with plans to process ten more lambs and three Belted Galloway steers in April. Otherwise, we will need to postpone our trip to our local family processor, Ray's Meats and Processing, until we have more freezer space. It is our understanding that Ray's Meats and Processing is the only Certified Organic Processor in Oklahoma!
Speaking of Local Foods, we still have some CSA memberships available! In fact, if we can grow CSA's in the OKC/Norman region, we can add more deliveries! The CSA is available to Coop members at a discount and members can easily add meat to their CSA. CSA deliveries coincide with Coop Delivery Day and also arrive periodically on other days during CSA season when we are headed to OKC/Norman on alternative days. Please e-mail or call us for more information.
This month it looks like both asparagus and rhubarb are slowed in growing by our fall and early spring mulching! We looked and cannot determine exactly when we might be able to add them to our inventory after observing their growth yesterday afternoon. However, CSA members will benefit and be contacted if there is some of these items available along with cilantro before delivery day.
Tomorrow we are headed to St. Louis for a Women's Producer Colloquium hosted by USDA Risk Management and the University of Arkansas. We will let you know if we come back with some great ideas to share!
Thank you again for your business! We cannot do what we do without your awesome support!
Kathy
P.S. Advocacy & Education
Please support Sustainable and Organic farming programs that include Education (SARE and ATTRA,) Research, Conservation, Beginning, and other Farm Loan and Cost Share Programs so we can continue to Know Our Farmer, Know Your Food sources plus have research and education available to farmers and others interested in growing organic/sustainable agricultural programs that are also known to conserve and build our soils and preserve many other natural resources for future generations!
As stakeholders for Organic/Sustainable Agriculture, Conservation, Education, Research, Extension, RC&D's, and other programs related to local foods availability, please contact your Legislators today or "Google" the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Organic Trade Organization and others for more information about how to help and advocate!
|
Whitmore Farms
| |
We would like to apologize to you for selling out of rib eye steaks. We still have T-bone and Sirloin steaks, which are also great on the grill. Rib eyes will be listed again next month, as Whitmore Farms has another beef hanging, ready to be fabricated.
Wayne and Connie Whitmore
|
Wagon Creek Creamery
 |
Windy, windy, windy! At least we got a little shower the other night. I know everyone is hurting for rain. Our milk supply is starting to creep up just in time for the beginning of farmers market season. But, we lost 2 fresh cows last week--that hurt. Now we have 2 orphan calves to raise, too.
We're doing our best to keep up with butter demand, but it's tough. It takes 100# of milk to make 4# of butter and then we have to be able to use all that skim milk. Fortunately, our nonfat and lowfat Greek yogurt and ricotta continue to remain popular and that helps give us a good amount of cream to work with. You'll notice the butter is getting brighter yellow as more green grasses come into season.
We have more raw milk jack available. We'll be working to keep that in the pipeline as it must age 2 months before we can sell it. It sure makes a nice cheese!
Barbara Crain
|
Cattle Tracks
|
We had beef processed last week and have updated inventories for all cuts. Please check us out for your beef needs. Cattle Tracks is totally grass-based from birth to slaughter and our test results for healthy beef qualities (Omega6 to Omega3 ratio and CLA) have surpassed grass-fed averages; we’re bringing the healthy beef to your table and that’s a fact! The flour mill is humming which means fresh ground whole wheat is available; Fairview’s Best Organic Whole Wheat Flour is one-of-a-kind as it is the only certified organic whole wheat flour produced in Oklahoma. We also have organic wheat berries, hard red winter and hard white winter varieties. When shopping through the Coop or in any market place, consider the different farming techniques and practices and then make your choices: John’s Farm offers chemical free, no commercial fertilizers or harmful pesticides, insecticides, or fungicides, free of antibiotics, hormones, growth implants. Some people believe if they use Roundup on their fields but do not place insecticides in their grain bins the wheat is free of chemicals. Does free of insecticide in the storage bin make a difference in a product that was planted in chemical laden soil? You be the judge! Monsanto and GMO – dirty words on this farm 
THANK YOU for allowing us to be one of your Oklahoma farmers!
|
Windeater Acres
 |
Greetings, Oklahoma Food Coop Members! Thank you for choosing to spend your dollars through the Oklahoma Food Cooperative -- by doing so you support family farms and small businesses which provide great Oklahoma grown and Oklahoma produced items for you and your family. We appreciate you!
We have added more duck eggs to our inventory. Each carton contains a mix of white-shelled and green-shelled large and larger eggs to provide you with a dozen of jumbo (by net weight) farm-fresh duck eggs. To order a dozen or more of Grade A Jumbo Duck Eggs, use product ID 9275.
Duck eggs are great for baking. Here is a Vegetarian Times recipe that my family found especially yummy when made using a duck egg!
Scones, like biscuits, are most tender when handled minimally. So use a soft touch when mixing and patting the dough. The scones can be made the night before, left unbaked and refrigerated. They can go straight from fridge to oven; just add 5 minutes to the baking time.
Ingredient List
Makes 16 scones
· 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
· 1/4 cup granulated sugar
· 2 tsp. baking powder
· 1/2 tsp. salt
· 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
· 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs. low-fat buttermilk
· 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
· 1 tsp. vanilla extract
· 1 large egg
· 1 cup dried blueberries
· Milk for brushing tops
· Granulated sugar for tops
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease baking sheet. In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.
2. Mix buttermilk, zest, vanilla and egg in medium bowl. Stir in dried blueberries. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist (dough will be sticky).
3. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Pat into 8-inch circle about 3/4-inch thick. Use 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out dough. Form scraps into more scones. Place 1/2 inch apart on baking sheet. (If making ahead, stop here, wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate.) Brush tops with milk, and sprinkle with sugar.
4. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, until tops are lightly browned.
Nutritional Information Per SERVING: Calories: 270, Protein: 5g, Total fat: 5g, Saturated fat: 3g, Carbs: 48g, Cholesterol: 40mg, Sodium: 330mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugars: 16g
|
Rowdy Stickhorse
 |
Oklahoma’s biggest little bubblin’ soap shops monthly news:
Rowdy Stickhorse is not just soap and body care products. We don’t just make pretty, smelly stuff. We offer you so much more. We have been educated in clinical aromatherapy, herbalism, and holistic medicine, and we’re dedicated in healing the body, mind, and soul.
Why Choose Rowdy Stickhorse?
The body gets loaded down with toxins from the many foods we eat, exposure to chemicals, and other toxic elements in many forms. The toxins cannot escape the body because the pores of the skin are plugged from the many body and soap products made from cheap, over processed and fake ingredients. Rowdy Stickhorse soaps will clean all the sweaty, waxy residue from the pores of the face, body and scalp. When this happens, the body works to detoxify itself. Used in conjunction with our moisturizers, our soaps are especially useful for any skin conditions. Testimonials indicate that our products have helped even chronic conditions such as psoriasis and skin cancers. Goats milk contains natural emollients, vitamins, and triglycerides that moisturize the skin.
Why Goat Milk?
Goat milk specifically contains the reputed highly effective moisturizer capric-capryllic triglyceride. People who prefer goat milk soap claim that it is far less drying and harsh than ordinary soap. For those who have sensitive skin or eczema, goat milk soap is a godsend. Cleopatra was famous for her beautiful skin. Her secret was, so we have been told, that she soaked in baths of fresh goat milk. Modern laboratories now know why goat milk worked such wonders for her skin: The lactic acid in goat milk is an “alpha hydroxy acid,“ a natural material that dissolves the glue that holds dead skin cells together (exfoliating). Goat milk can cleanse the skin down to its deepest layers, hence, it indirectly improves your skins condition.
Yes, we are pretty. Yes, we are smelly, and yes, we have what your body needs to be happy and healthy. So order from us and experience the wonders of our craft.
Paulette & Bailey Rink
|
Rowdy Stickhorse Wild Acres
 |
If you haven't ordered yet, you haven't yet noticed that we have made ordering easier for our customers. We went to a flat rate on all of our products. So when you purchase your Certified Naturally Grown, BEEF- PORK- GOAT-LAMB & eggs you know exactly what you will be receiving and the price of that product. WOW -- EASY!!!
One of our favorite recipes:
Working Moms Taco Soup
- 1 pound ground meat
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 (16 ounce) cans beans of your choice, with liquid (chili beans, kidney, black, or pinto)
- 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, with liquid (or frozen and add ½ cup water)
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes (or fresh chopped tomatoes)
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
- 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
Or make your own Taco Seasoning (I love this seasoning):
6 tsp. chili powder
5 tsp. paprika
4 1/2 tsp. cumin
2 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Combine all ingredients together, and mix well. This should be stored in an airtight container for up to six months. Use 3 tablespoons of mix and add one cup of water, to one pound of ground beef.
Directions
1. Brown Ground meat & drain.
2. Place the browned meat, and remaining ingredients in a slow cooker. Mix to blend, and cook on low setting for 8 hours.
3. Top with your favorite ingredients, cheese, sour-cream, salsa, chips, a wedge of avocado, for me some hot off the griddle corn tortillas.
|
|
|
