On the average it seems 26 days a month go easy-peasy with only a few little blips ….….. pigs broke their ramp, goats keeping the sheep away from the hay or the bottom broke off the feeder.  But those other 4 or so days a month are the ones that test your faith.  The hydrant snapped below grade and is flooding the barn, the last 3 pigs refuse to leave the pasture (eliminating the chance of moving the other groups that weekend), the fox & bobcat took all the ducks and geese, the processor rescheduled your dates (again) those things defy all of my list making, planning and preparing and REALLY DRIVE ME NUTS!

While we didn’t have Elf on the Shelf when Farmer John was young, (certainly a good thing because I am definitely not that creative) we always stood by the phrase – “If you don’t believe he doesn’t come”.   I think a bit of that is what keeps us going here on the farm for sure.

And in this season of thanks – we are not of complaining!!  We know we have so much to be thankful for. 

• Our littlest farmer was born at the end of November – happy, healthy and welcomed immediately by his older brother. 
• The support of our customers was once again amazing in 2019.  While we really did miss seeing everyone at the farmer’s markets, having our products available at our partner farm stands and stores has provided us precious time with our family.  We are honored that you choose to feed your families the products we work so hard to raise.
• We are blessed to have access to a feed wagon this year for the pigs.  Nothing this season has been more satisfying than to fire up the tractor and watch the auger automatically pour the feed into the one-ton capacity feeder.  In that past we had to manually fill just over eighty 5-gallon buckets, while balancing in the tractor bucket or dancing with pigs bumping your legs (trust me - my rotator cuff is celebrating as I write this).

Speaking of Partner Farm Stands, have you checked out Barden Farm Market 510 Main Street New Hartford yet??  Aside from offering our proteins they have baked goods, prepared foods, local crafts, Sweet Pea Farm cheese and milk, and their own seasonal veggies as well.  Not only do they have their neat little store on Main Street, but they have partnered with Brewery Legitimus to offer a unique CSACB  - a CSA that includes Craft Beer and cheese. (www.bardenfarm.com)


​Meat of the month – Boston Butt
Second only to ground beef this is one of the easiest and more versatile meats we offer. Pulled pork is low carb, gluten-free, Whole 30 compliant, dairy-free, low carb, paleo, carnivore and keto friendly. You can toss it in the crock pot (frozen) and come home to an amazing meal.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       CONTACT: Stephanie Wuorenma
Phone: (202) 446-2138
Office: Terrebonne, OR (Pacific Time Zone)
Email: mediarelations@agreenerworld.org
Website: agreenerworld.org
 
   
HOWLING FLATS FARM IN CANAAN, CT, AWARDED TOP ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANIMAL WELFARE CERTIFICATION
 
  
-- Local farm uses sustainable agriculture methods to earn Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW certification for its pasture-raised beef cattle --
 
CANAAN, CT (NOVEMBER 19, 2019)--The beef cattle at Howling Flats Farm are now Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW).

This certification and food label lets consumers know these animals are raised outdoors on pasture or range in accordance with the highest animal welfare standards in the U.S. and Canada, using sustainable agriculture methods on an independent farm. Consumer Reports has rated Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW as a "highly meaningful" label for farm animal welfare, outdoor access and sustainability--and the only animal welfare certification in which they have confidence.

Like other Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW farmers across the country, Kelley Babbin and her family recognize the growing consumer interest in how animals are raised on farms. Managing animals outdoors on pasture or range has known benefits for animals, consumers and the environment.

Howling Flats Farm uses rotational grazing practices and sustainable farming techniques, which results in lower environmental impact and a higher quality product. Kelley Babbin of Howling Flats Farm says she chose to pursue certification because, "many of the industry's labels have been watered down and manipulated to be meaningless. We believe that Animal Welfare Approved by AGW certification has real value and provides our customers with proof of our hard work to give our animals the best."

AGW Executive Director Andrew Gunther says,
"We're proud to certify farms like Howling Flats Farm that have demonstrated their commitment to transparency and verified, high-welfare, farming practices. These stewards of the countryside are quite literally building a greener world while producing delicious food, and we're honored to help consumers find them--and in doing so choose products that match their values."
 
Howling Flat Farm's Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW pasture-raised beef is available direct from the farm. The farm also supplies beef to several local colleges through a collaboration with the Kendall Foundation's Whole Animals for the Whole Region project. For more information about Howling Flats Farm, visit howlingflatsfarm.com and the farm's Instagram and Facebook page, or contact Kelley Babbin at Howlingflatsfarm@gmail.com.
 
 
ABOUT A GREENER WORLD
A Greener World (AGW) identifies, audits, certifies and promotes practical, sustainable farming systems by supporting farmers and ranchers and informing consumers. AGW's growing family of trusted certifications includes Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW and Certified Non-GMO by AGW. Each program is designed to have positive and measurable impacts on the environment, society and animals, and to encourage truly sustainable farming practices. AGW's standards and procedures are robust and transparent and achievable.

A nonprofilt funded by public donations and membership, A Greener World offers a range of resources to help people make informed food choices, including an Online Directory of certified farms and products and to food label claims. For more information visit agreenerworld.org.
 
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If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear; does it make a sound?  

If farmer's work everyday producing amazing meats, but never take the time to update their blog post, can they still sell their products?   

You may have wondered where in the world we have been lately !?!? 

While we definitely miss talking with everyone on a weekly basis, we decided this year not to attend any of the local farmer's markets.   This was not an easy choice to make, our success has solely been due to our loyal customers and their referrals but with the joyful addition of our littlest farmer we knew that something had to change. 

Little ones only stay little for a short period of time and freeing up our weekends has allowed us to focus on family while continuing to work with our amazing Farm Partners.   We are overwhelmed by the positive responses we have received about this program.  Our Farm Partners report increased sales of their products when customers realize they can purchase a large majority of their weekly grocery needs in one place.  Our customers love that they can shop at their own convenience and support multiple local farms without having to make multiple stops.  It has been a WIN-WIN-WIN.


We know how fortunate we are to have your support.  As we round the bend to our 9th Year of Farming and the arrival of our next littlest farmer we promise to continue working hard to offer Healthy Family Food - for your family and ours!

​I am so happy it's finally spring because spring = calves and calves = fluffy and cute.  We've had 4 born so far and are expecting many more over the next few weeks.​  The coloring of our Murray Grey bull is showing up in some of the calves - it's hard to capture on camera but they're almost silver.

​

Our TOBB grain bins finally arrived from Missouri this week.  They each hold 3 tons and can be filled by our feed supplier, Stone House Grain.  When we started buying feed for our pigs and poultry, we bought 50 pound bags. Once we started going through close to 200 bags per month, the plastic bags became an issue: not only an eye-sore stacking up in the barn throughout the week, but so wasteful, too. Stone House can now drive their bulk truck to the farm and fill these directly - no plastic involved!  (You don't have to see many pictures of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch before you don't want to be responsible for a single shred of plastic going into the dumpster).

My brother called asking for a favor last weekend. His hairdresser saw someone abandon a duck and a goose at a park in Bristol, and after watching someone trying to entice their dog to attack them, she scooped them into the back of her car and brought them home. "They look just like yours, will you take them?" he asked. John has an affinity for poultry so of course we went and picked them up. This inseparable pair may have feathers, but they're really dogs in disguise. As soon as they see people they come running, squawking, to be pet and held.  I've really never seen anything like it. So let me introduce Beetle (the duck) and Juice (the goose).

Lastly, I have to congratulate my brothers on the success of their new business, Litchfield Organic Land Care, LLC, and highly recommend them to anyone in need of environmentally-conscious land care.  Their guidance has been invaluable for our orchard and they will be taking down some dead trees on the farm. Even if we weren't related, I would endorse their knowledge and skills!