Greetings,
As I mentioned in the Farm News a couple weeks ago, we are planning to be at the Piedmont Triad Farmer’s Market this Sat. (16th). It looks like it will not be too cold. We hope you will come by to see us. More on the market below.
A recent article in the New York Times points out massive problems with the world’s industrialized meat production.
We think this just supports what we have known for a long time – that the current factory farming system is unsustainable. The massive consumption of non-renewable resources, along with environmental and economic damage cannot continue indefinitely. Localized sustainable production uses far less energy. Animal waste can be safely utilized within the system enhancing fertility. Properly managed, animal and crop production on the same farm unit compliments each enterprise while improving the environment. Non-renewable inputs are kept to a minimum. Local markets require less fuel to transport products. Add to that the health benefits to animals and humans. Powerful poisons are not spread into the environment. Generally, antibiotics are not needed. Animals and plants grow naturally. Happy healthy plants and animals produce better food. (Not to mention contented farmers who don’t want your tax money in the form of subsidies)
Local, organic, and sustainable farming is growing for many reasons. Not the least is you, the consumer, supporting it. And we think it will continue to grow rapidly as more and more people become aware of the many issues involved.
Now, to continue with our return to the market for this season. We plan to be at the Triad market Sat. from 9:00 till 2:00. We will have all cuts of Pasture Finished Jersey Beef and Homegrown Pork. (if the processor gets the pork done in time) We will also have turnip and mustard greens along with kale and upland cress. We also have dry field peas.
We plan to be at the market each Sat. (9:00 till 2:00) weather permitting.
We have missed seeing all of you for the last few weeks so it will be exciting to return. Hope to see you there!
By the way, you can now subscribe/unsubscribe to Farm News by clicking on the website listed below.
Blessings,
Peterson Farm
Greetings,
Our winter vacation from the market has been anything but a vacation! We have been busy working on several projects here at the farm. The largest one is putting up more fencing. And anyone that has done fencing knows what a job it is. But when we are finished, we will have almost twice the pasture area. With the drought continuing (-2.35″ in Jan.) we will need every bit of it unless there is a change in weather patterns.
We have been getting new calves, new pigs, and soon will be ordering new chicks for the spring. At present, there is still no independent chicken processer in the State. But one is nearing completion and hopefully will be in operation by the time we need them.
And we have been looking through seed catalogs trying to decide what seeds to order for the coming season.
As you may know, we are in a severe hay shortage because of the drought. We were fortunate enough to purchase enough hay to last through the winter. But others were not so lucky. The State has allocated $3.5M to ship in hay to sell to farmers. The Triad market is one of the drop-off points. What they didn’t tell is no one can buy the hay unless they register for a premises ID number. (see the Nov. 21 post on this blog) One lady was so frustrated she sent a letter to the News and Record which was published Jan. 12.
We share her feelings. It is unconscionable to us that the State would use a crisis to coerce people to register for a supposedly voluntary program.
We are making plans to return to the Triad market soon. I took a steer to the processor today but it will be two weeks before the beef is ready. So it will be about the middle of Feb. before our products will be ready for market. Tentatively, that should be Feb. 16. We will give you a further note to verify the exact date as it approaches.
When we do return to the market, we will have all cuts of pasture finished Jersey beef and homegrown pork. We will also have dry field peas and, if the weather cooperates, some early greens like kale and upland cress.
Although it is nice to have a break from the weekly market, I think we need to return to get a rest!
And we miss seeing all of you!
Blessings,
Joe Peterson