A few customers have been asking us "what's new?" which reminded me that I haven't shared any farm news since last June!  I'm not sure how time flies by so quickly, but we definitely have had many things to be excited about over the last 8 months (wow I'm a bad blogger).

Last summer was an absolute blast.  The cows enjoyed their time on the beautiful land we're leasing down the road, and we enjoyed our morning and nightly visits to check in on them. My favorite check-in was July 24th when John asked me to marry him. We were sunburned, covered in dirt, and surrounded by cows - I couldn't imagine it any other way.

I think the main reason autumn and winter have passed so quickly is our investment in more Ritchie automated water fountains for the animals.  I seriously can't praise these things enough.  We had to run more water lines and electricity, but they are 100% worth it.  Not having to break ice and lug hoses back and forth from the house has saved us so much time and frustration.  If I had any advice for new farmers, it would be to automate your water as soon as is feasible so you can spend your valuable time caring for your animals instead of stressing about being able to get them enough water.

Of course we've had lots of litters of piglets since June, and are currently gearing up for our busiest time of the year as far as farrowing is concerned.  Let us know if you're looking for spring piglets as our list is filling up quickly.

Looking forward into the next few weeks, we'll be busy with piglets, getting seeds started for the garden, and finally getting our solar panels installed!  I am over the moon excited about getting the farm running on clean, renewable solar energy.  I'll write another post and share pictures once they're installed.

We're happy to share our new relationships with Davis IGA in Kent and Sherman IGA in Sherman, which are both now carrying our beef, pork, and chicken.  It's great when small, locally-owned businesses can work together to offer local goods to the community, and we look forward to expanding and meeting new customers in that part of the state.

Don't forget to visit us at the Norfolk and Winsted farmer's markets - details are on our homepage. And if you can't make it to a market but are craving your favorites like jalepeno-cheddar chicken sausage or maple-cured bacon, use our online shopping page to complete your order and schedule a delivery.

Thanks again for your support!

​We eagerly check the fruit trees every morning, watching the buds slowly enlarging, promising many sweet treats in the months to come.  We had a small scare of peach leaf curl on one tree, but luckily my brother is a horticulture aficionado so it was nothing some pruning and neem oil couldn't take care of.  The kitchen garden has blossomed into more of a potager with herbs and flowers heavily intermingled among the vegetables.  They definitely add beauty, but they also attract pollinators and keep many pests away from the vegetables.  Nasturinium, for example, will repel squash bugs, among many other pests, so plant them near your squash, 'cukes and 'zucchs. Let your basil and tomatoes grow together, too, as they'll enhance each other's flavor. We don't need no stinkin' insecticides or GMO's here - just follow nature's template, y'all.

Over the winter, we acquired a trio of pet-bellied pigs.  We originally were just going to look at them because John was only curious (or so he said) but when we saw that the living conditions they were in were less than adequate, to put it lightly, we decided to take them all home.  The owner couldn't tell us anything about them since he picked them up at an auction.  They're still pretty flighty, but we hope with time that they'll become more friendly.  Little Olive's belly recently became not so little, and we suspected that she might be pregnant.  When I walked in her pen to feed her on Tuesday and she didn't come out to greet me, I knew something was up.  We moved her to her own paddock, just in case, and when I checked on her 20 minutes later she had given birth to 4 of the smallest, cutest piglets I've ever seen.  It was such a fun surprise and she is a great mom.

We are so excited to offer you the convenience of ordering online.  This process has pushed the envelope on our tech skills to say the least - but we think it was so worth it!  You can now shop for individual cuts or a meat share variety pack AND receive our free home delivery service OR have the option of picking up your weekly meat order when you visit some of our local farm stands (be sure to sign up for their weekly veggie CSA's to complete all your farm fresh shopping in one spot).

Here's how it works:
To shop for the best meats around go to:  ​https://howlingflatsfarm.grazecart.com/  CLICK HERE

   
At check out you can currently choose: 

* The Grassy Knoll Farm Stand and Bakery in Riverton ~ Order by Wednesday to pick up Saturday or Sunday.  Give yourself a little extra time at pick up for their coffee and incredible baked goods, be sure to get there early to take home some of their freshly baked bread.
            
* The Victory Garden in Canaan - Just give us two days notice and we will have your order in their freezer for pick up.

* For Home delivery choose pick up at Howling Flats Farm  - There is $50 minimum order for free delivery and we can be on your doorstop within three days.


We will be adding Maple View Organic Farm in Harwinton,  Gedney Farm in New Marlborough and local farmers markets as pick up locations once the season starts in the spring.  

Need something right away?

The Grassy Knoll Farm Stand & Bakery keeps a variety of our products on hand.  
The Riverton General Store always has our ground beef.  
The Health Food Corner in Winsted stocks both ground beef and pork chops.  
Both Holcomb Farm and Clark Family Farms in Granby have graciously offered to sell our products this spring as well.

If you need anything special that you don't see on our list - or you need something sooner than the times shown PLEASE send us an email hffdelivery@gmail.com - we are happy to accommodate you whenever we can!!

Stay tuned for updates:  It is our goal to be able to offer our partnering farm's products as a one-stop LOCAL shopping option for you in the near future.
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