January 2013

Wow!  I did a little research and September 9th was the last time I sent out a newsletter.  I think a little writer's block coupled with a lot of life has derailed me a bit.  It's time to get back in the swing of things especially since 2013 has the potential to be a big year here on the farm.

Let me spend a moment to update you on the last few months and the I'll fill you in on what's coming up in 2013.

First of all, the customer appreciation dinner was perfect.  Ok, it wasn't "perfect," exactly.  There were minor mishaps and moments of chaos but I'm learning (finally!) how to roll with life a little better.  Mike Benish, our entertainment, was fabulous!  AND will be returning this year - September 28th, 2013 to be exact.  Next to the entertainment, the food and the fellowship, I think my favorite detail of the night was the mason jar lanterns my friends and mom put together and hung on our clothesline - they were pinterest worthy!

Right before our party, I attended a workshop put on by the Kansas Rural Center on marketing.  I even got to be on a panel during one of the Q/A sessions!  I'm certainly not an expert on anything farm related but it was pretty cool to sit there with two other producers who have been doing this a lot longer than we have.  I also had the opportunity to meet the head of the KDA Meat and Poultry division and learned lots more about poultry exemptions and how they might apply to our operation. 

In December, Kurt and I drove to Louisville, KY for the Acres conference.  I was totally overwhelmed by what we don't know.  I guess my admonitions to students in the past about being life long learners were as much for my benefit as theirs!  One practical skill I learned that I can even explain to you and have confidence you will understand me is. . . . I learned how to make sauerkraut!  I've even made my first batch and it passed Kurt's inspection.  I also bought a huge book on fermentation and have lots of experimenting to do!  If I can find bottle caps/capper, we're going to give root beer a try!

I can't believe I've waited this long to tell you we got RAIN!!  Almost an inch between the New year's Day snow and a rain we had a week later.  maybe that's why I didn't get a Cattle Rattle out - I was tired of telling you how dry it is/was.  It's still very dry but it's nice to see the car covered in mud.  I may not wash it and just drive it around as a reminder of our blessings.  If you compare 2013 to 2012, we've already had about 14% of last year's moisture (sorry, the number nerd took over my keyboard for a moment).

Some inventory updates:

*We are completely out of chickens and turkeys.  Chickens won't be available until late May 2013.  The best way to guarantee your supply of chickens is uninterrupted is to stock up during the summer.  We like to keep chickens on hand during the off months but we can only store so many of them - they don't stack very well in the chest freezer.  This winter, we will be thoroughly investigating the USDA exemptions for small producers and should be able to deliver chickens this year.  One quick question - are any of you interested in turkeys earlier in the season or are they completely a Thanksgiving/Christmas item?

*We are well stocked on all our beef products including jerky, sticks, and summer sausage.  We also have a few quarters left at Krehbiels if you're interested in freezer beef before May.

*Hogs - Kurt was supposed to haul our first load of hogs to the processor today.  However, the fuel pump on the pick-up went out before he left the county and we're doing some rescheduling.  When those hogs are ready, we'll be restocked with pork chops (sigh), pork roasts, hams, as well as more bacon and sausage.  Kurt will be hauling a second load of hogs to the processor on February 21st.  We do still have some halves and wholes if you'd like to reserve yours.

I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the demand for homemade soap this holiday season.  I'm gearing up production again and hoping there's still enough lard in the freezer to get me 'til February.  Kind of exciting news - the Co-op has a "general store" in Medicine Lodge and they're willing to carry my soaps and see what happens. 

Now, the super, super big news.  In the next week or so, Kurt will start construction on a portable hoop house for vegetable growing!!  Kurt and his mom are plotting and planning but by early/mid spring, we hope to be offering a small selection of vegetables as well.  YAY!

Travel plans for the next few weeks:

*January 19th - going through Greensburg and Pratt

*January 22nd - appointments in Dodge

*February 1st - possibly going to Greensburg, Pratt and Wichita if there's enough interest

Some family updates:

Kurt has been studying and sketching plans, trying to come up with optimal hoop house plans.  He's also trying to figure out what to grow and when!

I'm learning how to juggle - some days better than others.  January marks the beginning of the forensics season and this is my first year as head coach.  Needless to say, my head is swimming just a bit.  I'm also substitute teaching in the school system 1-2 days a week.  My only two stipulations - nothing below 5th grade AND no shop classes!!  So far, so good.

Allison is about to wrap up the middle school basketball season and then will have 5 weeks of peewee ball.  I've been so proud of her hard work this year.  I watch her play and can only think "who is this woman child?"  How does she know how to box out or roll on the floor to go after a loose ball and who got stepped on (there were tread marks!!) during a game and never cried!

Natalie continues to grow and blossom - I do believe there's a little artist in there.  She loves to draw, color, play with color palettes, create, etc.  Oh and she's quite prolific as well!

Anna is no longer little - she's 5 now.  She is my little puzzling engineer (with a great sense of humor).  For Christmas and her birthday, she received several puzzles.  Her current Fave - a map of the U.S.  She also like to put puzzles together - upside down!  Yes, with the picture on the floor and the cardboard facing up.  Who does that?!

Here's wishing you (and us) a wet, slushy winter!

Quickie Hog Edition - January 3rd

Good morning!  Hope 2013 is off to a good start!

 
I have to confess, this really isn't a "Cattle Rattle" - after almost 4 months, I think I've forgot how to write!  I do have a newsletter started and hope with some extended car trips, I can get back in the swing.
 
Anyway, I have a couple quick items to share:
 
1.  We are out of chicken for the season.  =(   Between losses to the badger and increased demand, our supply was a little low this year.  We'll make adjustments for next year.  One way to make sure you have chicken all year round is to stock up during the summer.  =)
 
2.  We have another freezer!!  AND it's practically new!!  This brings the count to 8 plus a fridge - although one doesn't quite count because it's a little bitty one.  One of our customers spotted it at a business' liquidation sale and snatched it up for us. 
 
3.  Please let me know ASAP if you are interested in a half or whole hog.  Kurt will be hauling the first trailer load to McPherson on January 16th and the next a few weeks later.  Whole hogs will be $380 plus about $120 for processing (paid to the processor) and halves will be $190 plus about $60 for processing.  We'll also be restocking bacon (how quickly our supply shrinks!), pork chops, hams, ham hocks. . . .all kinds of good stuff!

Blessings!