Archive for March, 2009

Pasture Based Jersey Beef Report Out

Published by
admin
at March 19, 2009 in Farm News and Nutritian. 0 Comments

Spring begins this weekend although it may not feel like it with the passage of another cold front. However, we have new chicks and new calves and have been busy planting early crops as well as starting plants in the greenhouse. The daylight is much longer but the added work takes up most of it.

NCSU has been doing research through a SARE grant on pasture based Jersey beef for the past couple of years. They have just issued the final report. We were the cooperating farmer for this project. Here is a few of the things they found:

Pasture raised Jersey and Jersey cross beef:

·         Is preferred by about 25% of people in taste tests.
·         Has around one half the fat content of grain-fed Jersey and one third the fat content of comparable beef grading choice.
·         Contains about twice the CLA as grain-fed.

The entire final report may be viewed at www.sare.org. Search for Jersey beef.

We plan to be at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market each Saturday from 8:00 until 3:00.

We have several bags of spring greens including turnip, mustard, kale, and red Russian kale.

The laying hens are enjoying the increased daylight and are busy laying eggs. We have several dozen this week.

We are continuing the spring sale on beef and pork at 10% off and a few whole chickens at 25% off.

Speaking of eggs, Mother Earth News has published research that found eggs from pasture raised hens have the following compared to conventional egg nutrition:

1/3 less cholesterol
• 1/4 less saturated fat
• 2/3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene

The article may be viewed by visiting www.motherearthnews.com/eggs/.

We will look for you at the market!

Spring News

Published by
admin
at March 8, 2009 in Farm News. 0 Comments

snow and ice on trees at Peterson Farm

What a beautiful snow this week! And now four days later we have spring-like temperatures. That’s typical for late winter North Carolina weather. We should not get bored although we may be tired of winter.

We have been working in the greenhouse planting seeds and have already planted some early leaf crops in the field. We need a few dry days so we can plant some more early season crops.

A growing body of scientific research indicates organically grown foods have higher concentrations of essential nutrients and antioxidants than conventional…as much as 25% more. This has huge implications for human health and vitality. And the fresher, meaning more local, the better. Artificial fertilizers cause fruits to grow bigger and produce more quantity but the nutrients are diluted. Organic methods produce more quality but perhaps less quantity. For more information visit www.organic-center/science.nutri.php.

Higher quality (nutrient density) along with no chemical pesticides adds value to products grown using organic methods. Better taste and positive environmental impact should also be included in the valuation.

Each Saturday continues to be our market day for the next few weeks. We plan to be at the Piedmont Triad Farmers from 8:00 until 3:00.

We are announcing an early season sale of 10% off all beef and pork products. We will continue the special sale of buy three and get one free on ground beef for this Saturday (7th) only.

We still have some pasture raised chickens and are offering them at a special sale of 25% off the regular price.

There may be a small amount of greens such as collards and kale. We plan to have a bit of upland cress this week.

The chickens are slowly beginning to lay more eggs so we will have a few dozen this week.

The weatherman is promising a spring like day this Saturday so we hope you will get out and enjoy it…and come by the market to visit with us.