Sacred Cow

How we choose to feed ourselves affects everything else.

If you’re here, chances are you are in support of farmers like ourselves. But we also know there is plenty of information out there consistently telling eaters that meat (particularly beef) is wasteful, dirty, not good for the environment, unethical, unhealthy... the list goes on. Ooof, we feel the weight of that line of thinking every single day. Maybe you do too, especially if you're an eater of beef.

But is meat really that bad? Especially the beef we work so hard to raise well right here at home? No. It is not. In fact, well-raised beef can be a positive thing in so many ways. As boots-on-the-ground farmers we know this, but it takes more than a slogan or sound-bite to push back.

A few years ago we started following the work of a dietician and farmer in Massachusetts named Diana Rogers. We liked that her work was refreshingly considerate of context and nuance and we found her dietary suggestions reflected an actual working knowledge of responsible, community-based food production here in the northeastern US. She talks about nourishing bodies with real foods and agricultural systems rather than fads.

We've shared some of her information in previous emails and now she has released a book and a feature-length documentary, both called "Sacred Cow". In a world that wants to lump all meat together and the vilify it in favor of feeding humanity with mostly mono-culture grain crops and sugar, materials like these are sorely needed.

We watched the documentary when it was released briefly for pre-viewing. Kelly then set out to plow through the book in just a few days by listening to it on audiobook while doing chores. Both are REALLY well done. It will be again released to the general public in a few weeks.

We encourage you can go to the Sacred Cow website - www.sacredcow.info. From our farming perspective, in a world full of websites, books, and documentaries on food; this one is well done. After you read/watch/browse, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Does it raise any questions for you? Anything we can help answer as farmers?

Thank you for being on this journey with us. Wishing you so very well!

Perfectly Imperfect

How was your Thanksgiving? For our holiday we learned that old farmhouses have rules ALL THEIR OWN, which in the end reinforced to notion that feeling gratitude has to be a choice.

It started with a broken sink. What we thought would be a two-hour repair then turned into a multi-day trial that stretched well into the afternoon on Thanksgiving itself. History and old homes have their charms but not necessarily when it comes to plumbing!

Between the usual flurry of farm chores and then playing with pipes for hours, we didn't start cooking until well into the afternoon. When we did sit down to eat Thanksgiving dinner it was...11:30 PM. By that time I had hungrily grumped that if we took any longer we would pass midnight and miss the holiday completely.

But then Silas, with a wisdom that is inherent to childhood, corrected me, "No, mom. If we eat slow and go into tomorrow then we get to have TWO Thanksgivings!"

In the end, that was our holiday - strangely stressful and perfectly imperfect as it spanned beyond midnight and into a second day. But am so thankful for the resilient optimism of a child and how it reminded me that I can choose to see the good in anything, even plumbing problems.

Wishing you well as we move into the holiday season. Times are strange but may at least some of our struggles reveal that the universe is actually offering us a chance to give thanks twice.

Tradition Transition

As we continue plodding our way through this pandemic, it’s obvious the holidays are going to be weird. Many of us are re-examining our usual Thanksgiving traditions and transitioning to something smaller, different, more distant this year.

At first this need to transition made me sad. I could only think about the things I would miss. But then I decided to look around at all that was good in my life and embrace it with the true meaning of the holiday - gratitude. I am alive and well, so are my loved ones so far. I want to keep it that way.

I am aware of what it means to take any position these days - there are always going to be those who spring to argue another view point and that’s OK. That’s being human. But given the resurgence of cases and the many things we still don’t know about the virus, I would rather miss someone’s physical presence this Thanksgiving than possibly be the reason they are missing from our lives next year.

So now I’m not sad. I will use the time I would have spent cooking for a crowd and frantically cleaning my house to instead write a long letter to my grandmother - something she can hold since we can’t hold each other. I will give my child my undivided attention and help him cook his side-dishes. We will call aunts and uncles and wish them well any perhaps have longer to chat than we would have sitting around a crowded table. Alone and lonely don’t have to mean the same thing.

That said, many friends and customers have contacted us in the last few days to ask questions about holiday cooking. So many of us are used to the turkey being the domain of an older, wiser family member and have no idea where to start when it comes to cooking one. So I thought I would share our favorite turkey recipe here on the blog, so anyone can access it. We did not raise turkeys this year but have local farmer friends who still have some available. If you still want a turkey, please contact me ASAP and I can put you in touch with them.

I also wanted to share some ideas for turkey alternatives - there is no absolute rule that one must eat some large, weird-looking bird on Thanksgiving. Our family will probably enjoy a small beef roast or cook a chicken that was lovingly raised by a friend. So if the thought of turkey and all the fixins’ overwhelms you or makes you sad because it’s too reminiscent of normal years, I say it’s OK to cook something else entirely. :)

Lastly, Silas wanted to share one of the recipes he’s excited to make next week - something fun and hands-on to either get the kiddos in the kitchen with you or else bring out your inner child. Or maybe a bit of both.

I just looked out the window and the sky is throwing snow onto the ground. It’s time for me to head outside and be sure all our creatures are tucked in as well as possible for the cold night ahead. Thank you for being here - you matter to us. If you find being alone does make you feel lonely this holiday season, feel free to give a call if you want to chat. Who knows, we may even take you with us to do chores and let you talk to the cows.

~Kelly

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Herb Roasted Turkey with Giblet Gravy

We have always loved this recipe from Shannon Hayes’ The Grassfed Gourmet. It’s a fair amount of work but we tell ourselves not everything needs to be quick and easy. The results are well worth the effort.

Turkeys come in all shapes and sizes so it’s not possible to give precise cooking times. The only sure way to have a properly cooked turkey is to use an internal meat thermometer. The chart at the bottom of this post gives approximate cooking times to help you determine when the bird should go into the oven, but due to the variation in fat and size, there is no substitute for a good meat thermometer. The estimated times given are for un-stuffed birds. If you plan to stuff your turkey, add at least 30 minutes to the cooking time. Make sure that your stuffing reaches 165 degrees F before you remove it from the bird.

For the giblet broth:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• turkey giblets, including the neck, gizzard, heart, and liver (or whichever of those are available)

• 1 medium carrot, scraped and coarsely chopped

• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped.

• 1 1/2 quarts chicken broth (or turkey broth if you have it)

• 1 tablespoon dried thyme, or 3 tablespoons fresh

• 2 teaspoons dried parsley, or 2 tablespoons fresh, finely minced

Start your turkey by making the giblet broth one day ahead if possible. If not, remove the giblets, and make the broth while roasting the turkey as directed below.

Heat olive oil in a small soup pot. Rinse the giblets, and saute in the oil until they are lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes (this can be done in batches if necessary). Add the carrot and saute 1 minute longer. Add the onion, and saute until translucent. Reduce the heat to very low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the chicken broth, thyme, parsley and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, simmer for 30 minutes longer.

Strain the broth, making sure to reserve the giblets. When they are cool enough to handle, remove any gristle, then dice the heart, gizzard, and liver; pull off the neck meat. Refrigerate all these bits of meat separately from the broth until you are ready to use them.

For the herb butter:

• 1 tablespoon coarse salt

• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

• 4 cloves garlic

• 1 tablespoon thyme

• 2 tablespoons minced oregano

• 1 tablespoon minced rosemary or 1/2 tablespoon ground rosemary

• 1 teaspoon dried lavender (optional)

• 1/4 pound ( 1 stick) softened butter, or 1 cup olive oil

Combine all in the food processor and combine until smooth. You can stir them together in large bowl if no food processor is available.

For the turkey:

• 1 turkey

• 3 medium onions, coarsely chopped

• 2 carrots, scraped and coarsely chopped

• 2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped

  4 to 6 sprigs fresh thyme if available (or 1 tablespoon dried)

• 2 sprigs fresh sage (or 1 tablespoon dried)

• 2 sprigs fresh marjoram or oregano ( or 1 tablespoon dried)

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Be sure turkey is dry - pat with paper towels if needed. Place the oven rack in the lowest position and rub 1/4 of the herb butter under the turkey skin at the breast. Rub the remainder all over the bird - on the back, breast, thighs.

Set the turkey on a well oiled rack in a large roasting pan. Toss half of the chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the cavity of the bird. Add half the herbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Scatter the remaining vegetables and herbs in the bottom of the roasting pan.

Pour 1 cup water over the vegetables (not over the turkey). Roast the turkey for the estimated amount of time on the chart, basting every hour (you can use a ladle or large spoon to pour juices back over turkey if you do not have a baster).

Early in the roasting, before you have pan juices, use the remaining three tablespoons melted butter to baste the bird. If the vegetables in the pan look dehydrated, periodically add another 1/2 cup water until the turkey starts releasing pan juices.

Halfway through the estimated cooking time, pour the reserved giblet broth into the bottom of the pan. Continue roasting, basting regularly with the pan juices, until the thigh registers 170 to 175 degrees F.

Remove the bird from the oven. Transfer it to a warm platter, tent loosely with foil and let rest for about 30 minutes while you make the gravy.

For the gravy:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup all purpose flour

• 1 cup dry white wine (optional - can use 1 cup warm water with a splash of lemon juice for acidity instead)

• salt and black pepper to taste

Pour the pan juices into a large measuring cup or bowl. Strain and set aside vegetables and herbs. (compost them, save for soup, or you can feed it to the kitchen lurkers if you want…lol)

Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly until it turns a deep caramel color. Pour in all but 1 cup of the pan juices. Keep stirring the mixture until it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the gravy for about 5 minutes, until it is slightly thickened. Be sure to stir the mixture frequently.

Set the roasting pan over two stove burners. Add the wine to the pan, and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Add the gravy and continue cooking until the sauce is reduced by almost 1/3, approximately 5 minutes. Add the remaining broth and chopped giblets and return the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Adjust the seasoning for salt and pepper. Serve gravy along side the carved turkey.

Each pound of turkey will feed approximately one person. Leftovers are always good. :)

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Garlicky Roast Beef

We love this roast beef recipe from Pure Beef by Lynne Curry. It works beautifully on almost any type of beef roast so one can choose the more economical cuts and still have a really nice meal. It makes wonderfully easy gravy to go with the deliciously simple Yorkshire Puddings.

For the Roast: Makes approx 8 servings with leftovers

• 12 garlic cloves, peeled

• 1 1/2 tablespoons salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 (3 1/2 to 4 pound) boneless beef roast - top round, sirloin tip, ribeye, tenderloin, top loin all work very well

Up to 24 hours in advance, smash the peeled garlic cloves with the salt and pepper into a paste using a mortar and pestle or food processor (can also use the flat side of a large knife if needed, just be careful).

Rub the garlic paste all over the roast and put it on a rack in a metal roasting pan. If the beef roast you selected has a fatty side, place that side up. Refrigerate it until 1 hour before roasting.

Preheat the over to 300 degrees F. Read Yorkshire Pudding portion of recipe to be sure you have everything ready to go once the roast is removed from oven so it doesn’t rest too long before serving and become overly cool.

Roast until an internal-read thermometer reads 115 degrees F (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours). Remove the roast if you like it very rare, or check the temperature every 10 minutes and remove it as soon as the center of the roast reaches 120F for rare or 125F for medium rare. Transfer the meat to a cutting board, tent it with aluminum foil, and let it rest for at least 20 minutes to reach its final serving temperature.

Raise the oven temperature to 425F once you’ve removed the roast, to prepare the oven for baking the Yorkshire Puddings.

For the Gravy:

• 3 cups milk

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour

Remove the roasting rack and pour the milk into the roasting pan. Bring pan to a boil on the stove top over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned garlic bits. Use a fork to mash the butter and flour together in a small bowl until they are well blended. Whisk the butter mixture into the simmering liquids and cook until it thickens to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Taste the gravy for salt and pepper, pour it into a small saucepan, keep warm over low heat.

Slice the roast into 1/4 inch thick slices with a sharp knife and serve with the hot gravy.

For the Yorkshire Puddings: makes approximately 12 servings

• 1 cup (4.5 oz) all purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 eggs

• 1 egg yolk (you could use the extra white with the beaten egg needed for the cheesy roll recipe below)

• 1 cup milk

• 2 tablespoons melted beef tallow, ghee, or butter

Whisk the flour, salt, eggs, yolk, and milk together in a medium mixing bowl, beating vigorously to make a perfectly smooth batter. Pour the batter into a 2 cup or larger measuring cup with a spout and let it stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Once oven is heated to 425F, pour 1/2 teaspoon of the tallow/ghee/butter into each cup of a 12 cup muffin tin and put it in the oven to heat for 2 to 3 minutes. When you can hear the fat sizzling, take it out of the oven and carefully pour in the batter, distributing it evenly to fill each cup about halfway. Put the muffin tin in the oven and keep the oven door sealed so that they rise in the intense heat. Bake the puddings until they are puffed and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

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Cheesy Bread Rolls by Silas

These bread rolls are simple and fun to make. The melted cheese on top of each roll adds a lot of flavor to the bread. You can eat the rolls plain or fill them with whatever you like.

• 2 cups bread flour

• 2 cups whole wheat bread flour

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (approx same temp as human body - if you stick your finger in the water it should just feel slightly warm and comfortable)

• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 egg, beaten

Pour 1/2 cup warm water into small bowl. Sprinkle in the yeast and sugar and stir until dissolved. Let stand in a warm place for 5 minutes or until bubbles appear on the surface.

Put both types of flour and salt into a large bowl and use a large spoon to mix well. Use your hand to make a well (a big dip) in the center. Put the yeast and most of the remaining water into the well and gently mix together to form a soft dough. Stir in the extra water if it’s too dry.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead firmly using the heel of your hand, folding the dough over as you go. Knead for 10 minutes until dough is smooth and shiny. Put the dough in a clean bowl and cover with dish towel. Let rise in warm place for 11/2 to 2 hours, until doubled in size.

Ask an adult to preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Punch down the risen dough by punching it down with your knuckles.

Divide the dough into 9 equal pieces. Dust your hands with a little flour and shape the dough into rolls (balls). Place the rolls on a greased baking sheet. Cover with a damp dish towel and let sit for 10 minutes.

Brush the rolls with the beaten egg and press some shredded cheese on top of each roll. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until risen and golden. Allow to cool slightly before serving with dinner or filling with whatever makes you happy!

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Tips for keeping your farm fresh meat

Stocking freezers is on many minds as we approach winter and I've been answering a lot of questions about the shelf life of frozen meats. With grocery stores full of foods with sundry shelf-lives, it's no wonder we find ourselves confused when it comes to knowing how long something can keep.

That made me decide to share tips I've learned about storing farm-fresh meats over the years. Some of the info is specific to our farm but most of it can be applied to meat from any local farm so feel free to share with friends and family if you feel it could help them too.

I hope this finds you well! Today is full of sunshine and Adam and Silas are out planting one last batch of grass seed into a hay field. I will move on to plant more garlic once I've finished here. All the best to you and feel free to get in touch if you ever have questions about any of our foods.

~ Kelly

FROZEN FACTS:

Fortunately, when buying meats directly from a farm, you are probably getting food much fresher than that in a grocery store. That tends to give you ample time to use it up. Here's why--

• Typically, meat in a grocery store has been butchered, packaged, and then shipped under refrigeration to the store where it may sit on a shelf for a few weeks to a few months (depending on the product). Once grocery store meat goes home with you, it may be nearing the end of its shelf life.

• Should you choose to then freeze your refrigerated grocery store meat, the display packaging from the store will not protect the meat well for long-term storage. It is probably wise to use up such products rather quickly, i.e. within a few months.

Whereas our beef, lamb, and pork is frozen immediately after being processed and packaged. It never has time to sit on a shelf, aging in a refrigerated package. This alone keeps it fresher.

• We also use packaging intended for long-term frozen storage. You may have noticed the lack of air space in frozen meat purchased from a farm. By vacuum sealing the package (the food-nerd term is cryo-vac if you want to sound all fancy), the meat is better protected from temperature fluctuations and freezer burn.

• When kept in a stable freezer environment, meat cuts packaged this way have a long storage life -- up to a few years.

On our farm we've always made sure to sell our frozen meat cuts within one year of having them packaged. It's worth pointing out that we are currently selling most of our meat within a month or two of having it processed and packaged - about as fresh as a small farm can get.

I think the most important thing to know is that well-packaged farm meats kept well and consistently frozen can remain good for years. So if you're inclined to stock up, you needn't worry if you can't eat through it all within a few weeks or months. YOU HAVE TIME.
I once found a steak which had been set aside for us farmers to eat for SIX YEARS before I thawed and cooked it... It was just fine. :)

FROZEN TIPS:

• A clean freezer prevents off-flavors. Clean any spills and defrost as necessary or recommended to prevent any funky freezer build-up.

• Keep your freezer as cold as possible when storing meats. Remember that cold air sinks and so the coldest part of your freezer will be the bottom - keeping meats on or near the bottom can help ensure they remain at a stable temperature.

• Handle your meat packages with care - tossing them about can break the vacuum seal and create a loose package that won't keep as well long term. Over time, loose packages allow freezer burn and potentially for the meat to take on a "freezer flavor".

• There are some products where a tight vacuum seal are not really possible - bones are a good example. Or you may purchase or create a package with a loose seal. For these products we advise using them within 6 months for best quality.

• You may want to invest some time into organizing your freezer. This will help you find what you need quickly, which keeps the cold in.

• Once thawed, farm fresh meats should be used as quickly as possible - we aim for within 24 hours and are sure to keep thawed meat refrigerated during that window.

THE NOSE KNOWS:
Our sense of smell is what nature used to keep us safe long before there were thermometers and food safety agencies with their temperature recommendations. If raw food ever smells gross and it's not surströmming or limburger, you might not want to eat it... then go check your freezer/fridge temps!
But again, if kept consistently frozen, the odds your meat will become bad in storage are slim to none and can be kept for a long time. In the end, buying directly from a local farm, coupled with careful storage and timely cooking will help ensure you can purchase and store nutritious meats with confidence and use them at your own pace.

Buckling Up to Buckle Down

"The only way out is through... the only way out is through...."

That has been our mantra of choice for difficult farm seasons. We don't have any other words of wisdom or intense optimism to offer right now.  All we know is that as farmers, we know what it's like to deal with the unknown and we know what a blessing it is to find connection and comfort in community when things get tough. As such we wanted to let you know we're so grateful for the support shown to local farms in the past few weeks.

We can be here for you because you have been here for us.
Truly. Thank you.

Strangely, so much about farm life remains the same. The animals neither know nor care that the human world has been turned upside down. They move about their days with the same nonchalance that is always that of contented creatures. We think there is a lesson there if we look for it - to maybe channel our inner cow or chicken as best we can and just be in the moment. We are every day grateful to be in their presence because they remind us to focus on the essential things.

So that is what we've been doing. We care for the things within our control and hope like hell for the rest. We are growing a lot of produce again this year so there are seeds to plant. Soon there will be sheep to shear and calves to gentle. The hens give eggs daily and the grass is slowly growing green. One day, one task at a time - we keep moving forward.

Your recent support has allowed us to buy seed, feed, deer fence, and a load of extra hay. We just sent another load of beef to the processor and it should be ready within 10 days. We are doing everything we can to hang on through this, so we can be here afterward and feed you through it all.

We still aren't certain when farmers markets will resume but in the meantime we have developed a no-contact delivery and pick-up schedule that has been working well. We still have lots of good food available and lots more on the way. If you need anything the schedule is as follows:
 

SATURDAYS:
Pick-Up at New Hartford Shopping Center parking lot at 2pm sharp
** Please also shop with our partner farms for this pick-up. We have teamed up with Plumb Rocky Farm and Slate Creek Farm so you can also get their products at this pick-up. Please click on "Partner Vendors" under the New Hartford Pick Up Site Delivery Location information.
or
Home Delivery available to Clinton, New Hartford, Utica, Waterville Area 

SUNDAYS:
Pick-Up at Parry's Hardware Parking Lot in Hamilton at 2pm sharp
or Home Delivery available to Hamilton Area

MONDAYS:
Pick-Up at American Homesteader Parking Lot in Norwich at Noon

No contact ON-FARM PICK UP available any time:
Just contact us to place your order and we'll set up a time

You can place your order in the online store or send an email with any questions/requests.

Now is also a great time to sign up for a whole-farm CSA share as we can invest the funds directly back into the farm operation and therefore CSA gets first dibs on the food we produce. More info available below. :)

And lastly, please reach out to us if you or anyone you know is out of work or otherwise in need of good food but short on funds. We're happy to barter, accept volunteers (once the quarantine order is lifted), or otherwise meet people where they are, as much as we are able. Please talk to us if we can help.

**A word about our precautions: We've always been fussy about being clean but we're going extra right now: All orders are individually packed with freshly washed hands and we are the only people with access to our freezers. We do not leave the farm aside from no-contact deliveries. As of 4/2/20 we will be wearing clean, homemade masks to pack and deliver all orders. Please DO NOT return used egg cartons to us at this time. We can accept them again when things are less wonky... :)

We also want to share these words: As many of you know, Wendell Berry is another one of our heroes. His poems have often offered solace for our worried hearts. These particular lines seem so fitting for the times...

"Calling his neighbors together into the sanctity
Of their lives separate and together,
In the one life of the commonwealth and home,
In their own nation small enough for a story
Or song to travel across in an hour, he cries:
Come all ye conservatives and liberals
Who want to conserve the good things and be free,

Come away from the merchants of big answers,
Whose hands are metalled with power;
From the union of anywhere and everywhere;
By the purchase of everything from everybody at the lowest price
And the sale of anything to anybody at the highest price;
From the union of work and debt, work and despair;
From the wage-slavery of the helplessly well-employed.

From the union of self-gratification and self-annihilation,
Secede into the care for one another
And for the good gifts of Heaven and Earth."

~

(excerpt from The Mad Farmer, Flying the Flag of Rough Branch, Secedes from the Union
from The Mad Farmer Poems by Wendell Berry)

Be well, everyone! We'll get through this together and we're here if you need us.
Love,
Kelly, Adam, Silas and ALL the creatures of Quarry Brook

Pandemics and Puppies!!!

Meanwhile, in other news...Something Positive:
Happy "Gotcha" Day to Cosmo and Bella!

Today marks one year since we traveled to Massachusettes to bring these two home. We could not have done it without your help.  A million thank yous to everyone who made purchases, signed up for CSA shares, and even gave donations to help us pay their re-homing fee.

To recap, Bella and Cosmo were living on a goat farm where the owners needed to retire for health reasons. It can be tricky to re-home working guardian dogs - they need the right situation. A lot of thought went into whether our flock and farm was the right place for them and we're so happy to report it ended up being a great fit!

Bella is the 'brains' of the operation, being the first to alert to strange sounds and sights while Cosmo provides the 'brawn'; charging past his sister to lash any anomaly with his resounding bark. They make a good team and take their job seriously. They diligently protect their sheep from coyotes, eagles, strangers, and things that go bump in the night.
 

We work every day to make sure our dogs know they can trust us and we look forward to many more years of shepherding by their side. Trust is something we all take seriously around here - thank you for being here and for all you entrust with us - from food, to friendship, to furry guardians.
 

"Money will buy you a fine dog, but only love will make it wag its tail."
-Richard "Kinky" Friedman

Pantries and Pandemics

How are you doing? We hope your worries over the corona virus aren't too dire at this point.

We're not panicking but we do think common sense preparation and attention to good nutrition should come to the forefront in times like these. Our wish is for every family to have a good supply of nutrient-dense food on hand - good food that can support and boost immune systems and nourish bodies when they need it most. Isn't there an old saying about one's pantry being a first line of defense...?

To us the spread of the corona virus and the ensuing public reaction drives home the importance of local food systems. When the world becomes a scary place it's pretty essential to know where your nourishment will come from. We'd like to make a case for supporting small businesses and local farms as much as possible right now - it will help keep essential skills and systems alive and close to home.

If you are gathering a food supply we might suggest you stock up on meat and eggs -both store very well and are incredibly nutritious. Root veggies and dry beans are also great items to have on hand.

As of right now, Oneida County Public Market has been canceled for the rest of the winter season and we don't yet know about Poolville Market - we'll keep you posted as we learn more. In the meantime, we will find other ways to feed you!

Starting immediately we are offering weekend deliveries and fresh, open-air shopping at the farm. No lines, no crowds, just two farmers to help you and we both use plenty of soap and warm water when washing our hands. :)

Our freezer inside Parry's Hardware in Hamilton is also freshly stocked with ground meats, hamburger patties, sausages, steaks, and roasts.

As always, all delivered foods will be packed at the farm with thoroughly washed hands - we've always been fussy about that.

Deliveries to Utica, New Hartford, Clinton, Waterville and surrounding area are on 3/14 between 1 and 5 pm.
******************
The farm will be open for pick up on Sunday from 1 to 3pm.
Sunday's weather is looking sunny so we'll do pick up's outside, near the front porch to give the sunshine, fresh air, and breezes every opportunity to work in our favor. 

Feel free to send us a call/text 607-423-6098 or email with questions or to place an order.

Have you heard the "mooos"?

Are you having a snow day like we are? We went from pouring rain to near white-out conditions in the matter of few hours, and now a layer of heavy snow blankets the farm. I head out for evening chores soon and I know all that white stuff will add extra hours to the task. Still, I know the animals prefer the snow to sopping cold rain and there is a part of me that appreciates how snow storms force us all to slow down.

I thought I'd use a few spare moments before chores to give a quick hello and a few farm updates. I also wanted to share the recipe for the delicious slow food Silas and I been preparing over the course of this slow-down snowy day.
 

Thank you for being here! I hope you have a warm and safe weekend!
~Kelly

Utica Farmers Market is TOMORROW!
The Oneida County Public Market' is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. We'll be there tomorrow from 9am to 1pm so head over once you dig out.
We have lots of ground beef and lamb, sausage, roasts, fresh eggs and more!
If you live in or around Utica, New Hartford, Clinton, Waterville, or Sherburne and can't make it out tomorrow, I'd be happy to deliver something to you on my way home from market. Give me a call or send a text if I can help you. :) 607-423-6098

. Don't forget the Poolville Winter Farmers Market will only be held once a month from now through April. There is NO market there for the rest of February and the next Poolville Market will be Saturday, March 7 from 10am to 1pm.  

Speaking of mooooooooos, er news...

You can now find our beef, pork, lamb, and sausages inside Parry's General Store in Hamilton. We love this modern day general store's dedication their local community, especially their local farmers! So if you need anything and can't make it to market, pop over to Parry's. They carry produce, breads, eggs, meats and more from other local farms too!
Please let us know if we can stock anything special for you in the freezer there!

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

First, we wanted to let you know we have all sorts of beef back in stock and some new things too. The online store is freshly updated and you're welcome at the farm any time. We will also be at both Clinton and Hamilton Market this week with all the goodies if you need anything. Scroll down for more on what's available right now...

Second, have you seen Jaws? If so you might remember the scene where they first spot the shark and then realize exactly they're dealing with. The man tossing chum into the water gets an eye-full and then slooooowly backs into the wheelhouse to flatly tell the captain, "You're gonna need a bigger boat." 

We haven't seen that movie in years but we've been thinking about that scene a lot in the last few days. It seems like a good metaphor for any situation in which one realizes a different plan is needed. And it's looking like we might need a different plan...

Just a few years ago a small farm like ours could eek out a decent living by selling at farmers markets. That no longer seems to be true. All the local farmers we talk with have theories on how and why this change occurred, but we're not sure there is any one answer. Sometimes things just change and that's OK. What we do know is that when we come home from market and tally the books, we feel a lot like the man in Jaws realizing we need to do something different. It makes us sad to write this but it's true: farmers markets alone no longer pay the bills. Something needs to change.

So friends, where to from here?  Since we farm for you and with you, we thought you might like a say in what the new boat looks like. As your farmers, how can we make it easier to support local farms? 

Some ideas we're considering:

• on-farm store/farm stand -would you be willing to come to us?

• cooperation with other local farms for more diverse CSA/farm store offerings - we can't do it all and other local farms have great stuff.

• more structured online ordering opportunities and home delivery

• farm tours, farm dinners, and homesteading/farm skill classes

• shipping...

• others....?

If you have any ideas and a second to reply to this email, we'd love to know your thoughts. What works for you? How can we serve you and others in our community better so we can better pay the bills and keep farming for years to come?  

Thank you so much for being here and for the gift of your time and support. We truly couldn't do it without you, nor would we want to. 

Sincerely,
Your farmers - Kelly and Adam and Silas

Here’s a photo from yesterday's sheep move. They are currently grazing a field without any trees so we build them a new shade structure in each daily paddock. Bella and Cosmo are doing their jobs beautifully and the fields are bonkers with butterflies! High welfare farming is hard work but it certainly has its perks... :)

Because We Like This Planet

Lately I've been listening more carefully to all the calls for environmental action in the news. I'm so very glad humans seem to be paying better attention to this special sphere we call home. I kinda like this place...

But I also find much of the information to be conflicting and lacking in nuance, especially when it touches on food. Most agricultural-related environmental advice seems to boil down to: Eat plant based because meat is cruel and cow farts are going to end the world.

Every time a new study or report comes out telling me I am contributing to our planet's demise by being farmer and an eater of meat, I feel...guilty, just for a second. What if they're right? Then I look around our farm and compare those reports with what I can see with my own eyes: incredible biodiversity, healthy, contented animals, soils that improve each year, food that grows right outside the door- everything living in a loop as old as time.

They're not completely right but explaining why is not a simple task. That might be the biggest catch of all for us regenerative farmers - what we do and why we do it doesn't fit neatly in a soundbite. Still, I'm up for most challenges so I might as well try to add some nuance to the environmental eating conversation. Maybe they have you feeling guilty too, and you shouldn't. Not if you're eating from farms that close the loop. 

I thought I might start by sharing some basic information on how the carbon cycle is affected by grazing livestock. The bit below is from a London-based company called The Ethical Butcher and explains it well. They gave me permission to share with it you and I encourage you to follow them on social media if you're into that.

As always thanks for being here and reading along, sometimes we just need more than a soundbite.

Kelly and Adam and Silas

From The Ethical Butcher, London England:

“About 40 percent of ice-free land on earth is considered grazing land, which sequesters about 30 percent of our planet’s carbon pool.

This is why we must stop factory farming. Now, because factory farming does not do this. Only animals raised in harmony with nature can accomplish this.

So how is carbon sequestered by animals and plants?

Every plant plays the vital function of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, via photosynthesis. Using sunlight’s energy, the plant fuses that carbon with hydrogen and oxygen to make carbohydrates, which it moves into the soil through its roots. (It also maintains some carbon in its own leaves and shoots and stems.) The roots feed the carbohydrates to dirt-bound fungi; in return, the fungi feed minerals back to the plant. As Mother Earth News describes it, “This invisible partnership…is the foundation of the terrestrial carbon cycle, as plants incorporate carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrate biomass.”

The longer a plant’s roots, the deeper it can sequester carbon in the soil and the more efficiently it can hold it there. A healthy grassland, with a diversity of region-specific native grasses can create deep carbon sinks. Managing grasslands well also contributes to carbon storage other ways: by building up soil health to make land more resilient to extreme events, according to Marcia DeLonge, senior scientist in the Food & Environment Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. This, she says, “can protect existing soil carbon to some degree, but perhaps more importantly may allow continued carbon sequestration. In other words, even when events like extreme heat, drought, fire, and floods don’t significantly affect soil carbon immediately, they could affect the plants above ground that contribute to soil carbon in the longer term.”

Often working against these heroic efforts on the part of plants and trees, though, is agriculture. To produce some of the food we need in order to live, we disturb or destroy our carbon-storing ecosystems. We run animals through them in unsustainable ways, or we chop them down and plow them up to raise monocultures of crops like corn and soy—some of them to feed livestock, others to produce the fake meat that’s meant to replace real meat—that require still more plowing, as well as the application of chemicals that kill beneficial soil bacteria, fungi, insects. The land becomes degraded, and carbon-poor.

Improbable and illogical as it may seem, livestock can help.

There’s been a growing movement of farmers and ranchers who have moved towards a “new” model of raising cattle. I say new in quotes because actually, the concept is based on the way herding animals have lived in nature forever. This method is called many different things: mob grazing, rotational grazing, adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing, holistic planned management and intensive grazing. The basic idea is that you need to intensively graze the herd of ruminants (grass eaters like cattle, bison, sheep, etc) on a piece of land and then quickly move them, providing the optimal nutrition for the animals and allowing the land to rest and recover. There’s more to it than this, and there are different philosophies on how often to move the animals, but that’s the basic idea: “biomimicry” or trying to replicate natural cycles as much as possible.

These are the farmers we source from, we will also teach more farmers to produce like this, because we like this planet.”

“Realize agendas drive data, not the other way around."
-Joel Salatin

Maybe it's Easy, Eating "Clean"?

Since I raise food I am often asked for recipes. Lately the requests have been for 'clean eating" recipes. To be honest, I wasn't even sure what that meant.

In fact, the phrase brought to mind an image of a haughty, over-organized person who wants to tell people what to do. "Eat THIS, don't eat THAT." Recipe blogs involving lots of raw kale and sprouts came to mind...

But I finally looked into it and found...clean eating has no set definition! Some say it means eating only raw and organic fruits and veggies year round. Some say it's going dairy/gluten/sugar free. Others claim it's making EVERYTHING from scratch. Some say animal protein will kill you. Some websites will sell you packets of powdered meal replacements that are "super clean!" Oh man...

It seems open to interpretation. So here is my personal interpretation:

• Just eat real food, as minimally processed as possible.

• Do your best to eat things that can grow in or near your backyard.

• Enjoy it.

That's it. I feel like eating should be a pleasure, after all it's what makes everything else we do as humans possible. It's certainly no fun to make food decisions out of fear. Eating is essential to life, it shouldn't be stressful or rely on some factory formulation.

And that is a big part of why we farm - to offer real food from close to home and to raise it in a way that you can feel sound about. No factories or fear. :)

I hope you enjoy the rest of the week.  Wishing you well and thanks for being here!

Kelly

"Our life is being frittered away by detail...simplify, simplify."
-Henry David Thoreau

Livestock in the Living Room

There is a lamb in our house. For the last three mornings he has served as my alarm clock, emitting a loud "meaaaahhhhh" at precisely 4 am--about the time his 1am bottle feeding has worn off. I get up and let him out of his puppy crate so he can muzzle-bump the back of my legs with vigor while I make his bottle and my coffee. I am his mother now, so I must be hiding my udder somewhere in the proximity of my knees?  As such, another day on our farm begins.

In the meantime, how is spring going for you? I hope you're managing to get all your spring tasks taken care of between rain storms. Holy moly, the rain this spring! But life goes on and so do we, I guess we just wear rubber boots.

I know it's been awhile since I've been able to say hi so I wanted to tell you a bit of what we've been up to. We've been, ummmm, busy. Spring on a farm is equal parts exhilarating and exhausting and it's my favorite time of year. The sense of renewal and relief that comes with watching the world wake up is what I wait for all winter. Blooming flowers, new babies, singing birds, growing grass, livestock in the living room...

If you couldn't tell, we are in the middle of lambing and calving season. In fact it all got started last week during that cold, wet spell. We worked over, over, over time making sure the cows and sheep had a place to keep out of the wind or wet. Temps in the 40's combined with constant rain and a hard wind is hypothermia weather, even for livestock. Our calves and lambs stay right on pasture to be raised by their mothers, so it's our job to make sure they all have what they need to do it well.

The cow herd came down to the home farm where the hills and hedgerows eliminated the wind and we built the sheep their very own prarie-schooner of a pasture shed using gates and recycled baleage plastic. It looked a little bit like the Clampetts moved to NY to raise sheep but it really did the job. Thus, into a wet, grey world the first lambs and calves were born and their farmer/shepherds waddled through it all in plastic rain pants.

Fortunately the weather warmed up and the hard work has been worthwhile; we have 18 healthy lambs and 12 happy calves out in the pastures at the moment. We are expecting about 40 lambs and 36 calves this year. Oh wait, about that one lamb in the house! His name is Arthur.

It has been a long time since we've had a bottle baby, which is a good thing!  We want those youngin's with their mamas. But on a farm, things happen and so Arthur lives with us for now. The plan is to get him back with his flock when he is old enough to do some grazing and get by on less-frequent bottle feedings. Once he is completely weaned (from the bottle and my knees, apparently) he will be a friend for the ram who gets to cool his heels in a bachelor pad all summer. There I imagine they will laze about, swapping manly sheep stories and chewing the cud, perhaps while playing some checkers...?

Ok, back to being serious. Spring on the farm is hectic, tiring, inspiring, messy, magical, and perfectly imperfect all at the same time. We push and push ourselves to offer best care possible for our animals because we know you expect it of us. We expect it of ourselves. High welfare livestock care is really hard work--your support and encouragement for our farm helps make it happen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and lamb-worn knees for that. I'm so glad you are here to share in it all.

Please read on for details about upcoming markets, where to find our food, how to support our farm in the coming weeks (farms always need that), and a great recipe from a customer. Onward and upward together folks!  Now, if you'll excuse me I hear a "meaaaaaaaah" coming from the other room...

Love,
Kelly

Easter Menus

We're stealing a few moments from the day to sit down and say hi. How are you?

Spring has us hopping. How about yourself? This has been a BUSY week on the farm. We have sheared the sheep flock, fixed fence, restocked the freezers, celebrated Silas' SIXTH birthday (!), welcomed six little piglets, started some seeds, and.... um. More? It's all a blur and lambing/calving hasn't even started yet. Phew, here we goooo!

That said, we've been getting quite a few last-minute ingredient requests for Easter and Passover meals and we've love to help!  We thought it might be a good idea to offer a pop-up market of sorts, especially since many markets are on break this weekend and we just put more meats in the freezers.

We have: potatoes, lamb roasts, ground lamb, lots of pork sausages, tons of eggs (already dyed pretty by the hens!), ground pork & chops, beef roasts, steaks, and lots more...
How does this idea sound:

• Pick up at the farm any time tomorrow (by appointment) Friday, April 19th

or

• Have us deliver to your house (Clinton, New Hartford, Utica, Waterville, Hamilton) on Saturday afternoon, April 20
  
  Tell us what you want and whether you want to come to the farm or have it delivered. Then we'll work with you to make it happen. :)
   

Alright, back outside to work for us. Perhaps we'll see you soon!

Please know we're wishing you a contented Easter, Passover and a Happy Spring! This is a busy but lovely time of year on the farm and we never forget that our customers and friends make it all possible. 

Thank you for your support and for being along on this nutty ride that is farm life!  You keep us going when the days get long. 

Be well!
Adam, Kelly & Silas

Long Johns Be Gone!

I'd say I’m pretty happy to see some spring sunshine!

How about you? What's your favorite sign of spring? I can never decide between the return of bird song at dawn, the peepers, or the daffodils pressing their snub little noses out of the warming soil. Actually, maybe it's that first morning I can step outside without wearing three layers of clothing...?
Last year I made up a joke about how if I had to have a pirate name, in the spring it would be "Long-Johns-Be-Gone".

Arrrrrr! And, um anyway... Just a quick hello from your farmer pirate to fill you in on a few things: 

1.  Summer Market Schedule. Outside markets start soon! 

2.  Easter Roasts, what's available and a few of our favorite recipes

3.  A refresher on how to preserve local eggs during their most bountiful season, and

4. Spring Lamb orders

I'm heading back outside now, to help attend to the bazillion things spring throws our way. But feel free to get in touch if there is anything I can help you with. Be well and hope you get to soak up a little spring sunshine yourself!

Thank you for being here,
Kelly

1. QUARRY BROOK 2019 SPRING & SUMMER MARKET SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, APRIL 13
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
ONEIDA COUNTY PUBLIC MARKET-UTICA TRAIN STATION
9AM TO 1PM
**These are the last two train station markets we will attend until next November**
You can pre-order your food for these two final markets HERE

HAMILTON FARMERS MARKET-SATURDAYS
OPENS SATURDAY, MAY 4
8AM TO 1PM
Our booth will be across from the Hamilton Public Library

CLINTON FARMERS MARKET-THURSDAYS
OPENS THURSDAY, JUNE 6
10AM TO 4PM
We are on the Village Green across the street from Nola's

NEW HARTFORD FARMERS MARKET-TUESDAYS
OPENS IN JUNE (DATE TBD)
3PM TO 7PM
Sherrill Brook Park in conjunction with food truck night
Come get your local groceries and then get dinner from one of the food trucks!

Can't wait to see you! :)

2. EASTER ROASTS

If you need a roast for Easter we still have a few available:

• Fresh Hams | uncured & unsmoked | fresh pork roast | boneless | approx 4 lbs | $14/lb 

• Lamb Leg Roast | boneless | approx 4 lbs | $16/lb

• Mutton Leg Roast | don't laugh! they're really good and a good bargain for feeding a crowd | good mutton reminds me of extra buttery beef | boneless | approx 5 lbs | $10/lb

Please email me to reserve any of these roasts. I can also give you some ideas for less-traditional holiday fare if you aren't feeling like a roast. Lamb meatballs, spring stew, it's always ok to try something new.

Fresh Ham Roast Recipe
Honey Ginger Pork Roast Recipe

3. Here an egg, there an egg, EVERYWHERE an egg, egg… Old McDonald has lots of eggs! E-I-E-I-O!
How to stockpile this spring staple

It’s spring.  Eggs are everywhere at farmers markets.  It almost lets us forget that they will be much harder to find come fall.  If you love your local eggs and don’t want to be without them come September, you might consider stocking up now and freezing them.  It will be like nutritious, delicious money in the bank in a few months when all the local farms’ hens are on vacation and eggs almost disappear from markets. Read more...

4. SPRING LAMB ORDERS:
 Everything is a cycle on the farm and we are just getting ready to complete the lambing cycle. That means we have just a few mature lambs ready for processing at the moment.

Now is a great time to stock up and have all sorts of great chops and kebabs in time for summer grilling season. After this the next lamb won't be ready until late fall.

**You select the cuts and we're happy to help walk you through it if needed**

WHOLE: 30+ lbs depending on cuts selected
Whole Lamb Price: $400 (includes processing)
Deposit: $200
Freezer space needed: A whole will fit into approximately 3 to plastic grocery bags.

HALF: Approx 15 + lbs depending on cuts selected
Half Lamb Price: $235 (includes processing)
 Deposit: $100
Freezer space needed: A half will fit into 2 plastic grocery bags

Please send me an email to reserve your lamb.  Please indicate size of lamb you would like (whole/half) and the best way to contact you. I will get back to you very soon to sort out the details.
Thank you!

"Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems"
-Rainer Maria Rilke

A Farmer's Heart

Spring is here and the warm sunshine has my farmers heart in a scurry.  I want to get everything done, RIGHT NOW. Plant the garden, shear the sheep, start grazing! But the soil is too cold and the sheep still need their sweaters. The grass is not yet growing.

To farm is to coax life and a living from things mostly outside human control; to farm is to cede control. Sometimes it makes me think of a mouse riding an elephant; the mouse just has to hang on and hope the elephant takes it somewhere favorable. 

Farmers can't control the weather, we can't control the markets. We certainly don't control our animals. (Although fences, generations of domestication, and good treatment encourage them to cooperate with us.) Nature is so many elephants and as farmers we are along for the ride, eyes wide with equal amounts exhilaration and trepidation. 

I guess I never really know what's going to end up in my messages. I sat down to let you know what's up on the farm but now I'm going on about...mice?  It kind of baffles me too. Just know that when this happens it's usually because my heart has something it needs to say.  And so I follow where it leads...rodents astride elephants and all. 

So where was I? Spring. Spring is here. The songbirds are chirping, the breezes and soils are softening. It is the season of renewal and awakening. It is also a season of anxiety. 

Let me explain - for farmers this is the time of year where our metaphorical elephants all take off at a sprint. Ready or not, the ride starts NOW. So we clamber aboard and hope for the best while we head off into the unknown.

While we are up here busy with our work, the elephant moves beneath us and we know we will have to make the best of wherever we end up. As farmers, we do this year after year after year and it's always a little terrifying. The one thing that makes it all okay is the support we receive from our friends, families, and customers.
 

To have a sense of community when we can't have a sense of control is what keeps us on the elephant. 

So, Spring is here and we have three huge projects to tackle right now:

1. Pay a fellow organic farmer for the load of hay he brought us to get the sheep and cattle through until the grazing season starts.
2. Provision the hens and pigs with their spring/summer load of supplementary grains.
3. Finish covering the up-front processing costs for the beef and lamb we recently sent to the processor.  This will make Easter roasts available and allow us to continue having a wide inventory on hand for everyone.

These things add up to thousands of dollars and we need support to do them. We would welcome help in whatever form makes sense for you - maybe that's ordering some food or signing up for a CSA share in the next few days? Or maybe it just means sharing our story and bringing new friends to the fold. Simply cheering us on is wonderful too!

We have a good variety of meats, eggs, potatoes, and special bundles available right now so if you have some funds to spare toward groceries from our farm, we'd be very thankful and it would all go toward the projects above.  

Thank you for being here, for following me on my flights of fancy, and for all your support. It's so very appreciated.

Peace, love, (and maybe some thundering pachyderms too...)
Kelly

With a Little Help from our Friends

We did it!!

In case you missed it, we asked for something in our last email.  It was a hard thing to do.  Farmers seem to be reticent and self-sufficient by nature and in tough times we just keep working and hoping.  I don't know if that makes us optimists or fools. Maybe it's a little bit of both.

What I do know is that our friends and customers recently taught us a valuable lesson; you taught us that it's okay to ask for help when it's really needed.  We needed to fund a farm project and you placed orders and signed up for CSA shares and it was all enough to make something really important happen.  You all have floored me with your generosity and encouragement.

It took almost a year to find a bonded pair of working sheep dogs for whom our farm was a good fit.  Then it took about 30 phone calls with their previous farm, a long drive to Massachusetts, and an outpouring of support from our community to bring them home.  It may sound silly to be this serious about dogs, but for small farm in coyote country, a good pair of working dogs is essential. 

Guess what?  We were able to bring home our new guardians on Monday and they are perfect.  The Italians are here! Welcome to the farm, Cosmo and Bella!  They traveled like champs and are getting to know their flock now. They are settling in beautifully and I included some pictures below.

So thank you from the bottom of our farmer hearts for standing by us.  I can't talk about it or think about it without choking up. Thank you for helping us give two working dogs a chance to keep doing what they know.  Thank you for helping us keep our livestock safe. And most of all, thank you for the reminder that we don't walk this path alone. 

With love and gratitude and on behalf of Cosmo and Bella, Grazie!

Kelly