Greetings from Sweetland
It’s graduation season, and classes all over the Upper Valley are moving up and spreading their wings. Caps and gowns are being donned by preschoolers and college grads, alike, as we celebrate their achievements and launch them towards their next phase of life (be it kindergarten or career). With all this spreading of wings, it’s fitting that our first batch of chickens “graduated” from the coop to the field this week! The baby chicks arrived at the farm 4 weeks ago as tiny peeping balls of fluff and have rapidly sprouted feathers, quadrupled in size, and outgrown their heated brooder box. Meat birds grow so fast! They will spend the next 4 weeks scurrying through the grass under their portable shelters, chasing grasshoppers, and enjoying the breeze.
Raising animals for meat outdoors on pasture is an important piece of our farm philosophy. After spending several of my college years as a vegetarian I made the shift to eating meat when I began to raise my own animals and understand the interconnection of raising both plants and animals on a diversified farm. Incorporating animals into our farm landscape is an important way to recycle nutrients, build our soil organic matter, and utilize the different niches of our land appropriately. The vibrant green stripe of grass down the length of our pasture after a season of the chickens marching their way across the land is a great visual reminder of the nutrients we are capturing in our fields. The antics of the pigs cavorting through the swaying oats is an affirmation that pasture-raised animals are happy animals. And there’s no going back to factory farmed meat once you’ve tasted the clean, fresh flavor of meat raised on non-medicated grain, fresh vegetables, and a whole lot of fresh air and sunshine. Our first harvest of chickens will be at the end of June, so reserve your bird(s) today!
Cheers
Norah and the Sweetland Crew
Week 5 Harvest
Half Pint
Spinach, .25 lb
Tatsoi, small bunch
Radishes, small bunch
Asparagus. .5 lb
Garlic scapes, 7 “curliques”
Mesclun, .25 lb
Carrots, .75 lb
Brimming Basket
Spinach, .35 lb
Tatsoi, medium bunch
Radishes, medium bunch
Asparagus. .75 lb
Garlic scapes, 10 “curliques”
Mesclun, .35 lb
Carrots, 1 lb
Veggie Monster
Spinach, .5 lb
Tatsoi, large bunch
Radishes, large bunch
Asparagus. .75 lb
Garlic scapes, 15 “curliques”
Mesclun, .5 lb
Carrots, 1.5 lb
You can find ingredients for all of these recipes in our farm store! We source meats, dairy, grains, beans, sweets, and more from local and sustainable producers. Don’t forget to use your CSA member discount!