A Mid-Summer Update

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Why does summer fly by so quickly?  Probably because there is so much to do!  Who has time to read a long post?  Not me!  So here’s a quick update on what is happening on Love Led Farm, and more importantly, what is available for you.

A few of the girls

Eggs–Duck and Chicken

Although I am starting to see signs of the annual Summer Slowdown, we still have quite a few eggs each day–so far.  And because the girls eat so much of their summer diet by free ranging, I don’t see any reason to raise the prices–that’s good news for all of us!

Ducks on Bug Patrol

Meat Chickens

Although the July 8th flock of Cornish Cross is sold out, I still have plenty left for July 29 and September 16.  There are still plenty of Rangers available for both pick-up dates, too.

If you are wondering what on earth I am talking about, head to our home page and click on the white meat bird for information on what we offer and when.  Then choose your pick-up date(s) and pay your deposit.

But better do so soon as I have a feeling the remaining birds will quickly fly into somebody else’s freezer.

Chicken Enchiladas–one of the endless ways to use our mouth-watering chicken.

Our Pork

Wow, these pigs look good!  It’s probably their healthy diet which includes goat milk and extra duck eggs.  Like our chickens, folks who have previously purchased our pork are quickly claiming these for their freezers.

The good news is that we still have a little left.  We sell hogs by the whole, half and quarter.  With Byron Center Meat’s help, we craft a pork package that is exactly as you desire.

Meat shortage?  Not you!  Imagine roasts, chops, ribs, bacon, and an assortment of sausages, all in your freezer!  Hungry yet?

Posing Pigs

Honey

Could you use some?  I still have several jars of Love Led Farm raw honey that are available from our last harvest.

Recently, one customer bought a jar to help with her seasonal allergy issues.  I add mine to goat milk yogurt and spoon a little over fresh berries.  Like heaven in a dish!

I keep honey on our farm table next to the eggs.  If you don’t see the size you’d like, feel free to ask.

We still have a few jars of this golden harvest left–for you.

And Goats

Nothing entertains me more than watching my 4 little goat kids leaping, running, and chasing one another around their pasture.  And when one crawls on my lap asking for a snuggle?  There are no words

Snuggling with Noah on a perfect summer evening

The milk their mamas are producing is so sweet and delicious–I think it’s the best they’ve ever given!  I still have room for another herd share member or two.  Interested?

Wondering if you would use 1/2 gallon each week?  What about making yogurt?  I can teach you how.  Yogurt freezes well so you’ll have plenty all winter long.  Versatile yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream.

Also, consider your pets.  I have found that adding goat milk to my dog’s diet helps her digestive system as well as improving her coat and skin.

Goat milk yogurt ready to culture–a perfect way to use extra milk and preserve a wholesome source of dairy for winter.

Soak in this wonderful summer but don’t forget that colder temperatures will be back–sooner than most of us desire.  Perhaps it’s time for you to think about what will be in your freezer next winter.  We can help!

See you soon…on Love Led Farm!

Warmly,

A Growing List of Farm Products—For You

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Goats

First, I just have to share another baby picture.  Recently, Kelly had her son and daughter.  Noah and Nancy are healthy and ready to romp.  They join Nellie and Nora who are now 4 weeks old.

Noah and Nancy

Notice the “N’s”?   My herd is registered with the American Dairy Goat Association.  Each year, we are given a letter of the alphabet for naming purposes.  In 2020, the letter was “M;” this year it is “N.”  You get the idea.

The goats are then tagged or tattooed with that letter and a birth order number which makes for easy tracking. That’s probably more goat information than you need to know but it is kind of interesting.

Anyway, with the birth of the babies comes Herd Share Season. I just enjoyed a glass of cold, sweet goat milk this morning….so good!

I have space for 3 or 4 more Love Led Farm Herd Share members…would that be you?

Goat milk yogurt ready to culture.

Pigs

Humans aren’t the only ones who drink goat milk around here.  It is an important part of our hogs’ diet.  This secret, learned from my brother-in-law years ago, is one reason why our pork is lean, tender, and beautifully pink.

Several previous customers have already reserved their meat for this year. But the good news is that we still have one hog available.  We sell by the quarter, half, or the whole.  You will pay a small deposit now and the rest is due after butchering this fall.

Don’t miss out!  If you want Love Led Farm pork for your freezer, now is the time to reserve.  Click on the pig on our home page to learn more and then contact me soon!

Pink Pigs

Meat Chickens

My first flocks of meat bird chicks have arrived and so have the Chicken Pick-up Dates.  Once again, you will have 3 choices of dates to pick up Cornish chickens (the white birds) and 2 choices for the Rangers (the slow growth birds).  To brush up on the differences between these two breeds, click on the chicken on our home page or choose “Order Meat Birds.”

**Please Note These Changes**

  • Our required deposit is now only $5 per bird!
  • All chickens will be priced at $3.50/pound…you will be able to choose the ones you want.

Chicken shortage? Not us!

Honey

I have added bottles of our own raw honey to the farm table.  Available in a variety of sizes, honey makes a wonderful gift for someone else…or for yourself.  Why not pick up a bottle or two when you stop for our eggs?

We still have plenty from our last honey harvest.

Eggs

Yes, eggs.  The must-have of Love Led Farm.  Do you know someone who struggles with chicken eggs?  Tell them that we have duck eggs, too.  Because of the difference in protein, many people find them easier to digest.

Duck and Chicken Eggs

As you can see, we have an ever-increasing variety of fine farm products to share with you, and we have no plans to stop.  In the very near future, we hope to introduce a line of breads and baked goods, many of which will be gluten-free. 

Have you visited Love Led Farm?  If not, it’s time.  Our convenient location and circular drive make an easy visit.  Until our new farm stand is finished, you will find a farm table by our garage.

Would you like to meet the babies?  Contact me and we will plan a meet and greet.

Find out why folks become more than our Love Led Farm customers.  They become our friends.

Warmly,

An Honest Discussion About Duck Eggs

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Ducks on Parade

When Meg was young, we allowed her to raise a pair of ducks for the 4H fair.    In those days, it was illegal to sell small quantities of ducks at feed stores in our state (Massachusetts at the time), so I “met a guy in a parking lot” for the tradeoff.  I still laugh as I recall peeking around nervously while we made our deal:  a few dollars for a box containing 2 tiny ducklings.

Ducks have waddled in and out of our lives several times.  At Love Led Farm our egg business was booming and Arya needed a way of earning a few extra dollars.  I decided to reintroduce ducks into my plan.  A bit of income for a granddaughter, a farm clean-up team for me, an alternative type of eggs for my customers–a big win for everybody.

  Arya and the Duck

Now what about you?  Why would you even consider buying duck eggs vs. chicken eggs, especially when they are more expensive?  And don’t they taste “funny?”

As it turns out, there are several good reasons to consider the switch.  A difference in their protein structure means that folks who are allergic to chicken eggs can sometimes eat duck eggs.  Duck eggs are higher in many vital nutrients and as I will discuss in a minute, avid bakers treasure them.  Another bonus:  because their shells are thicker, duck eggs will stay fresh longer.

Interested in more detailed information?  Check out this duck/chicken egg comparison published by Mother Earth News a few years ago:  https://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/the-proscons-of-eating-duck-eggs-vs-chicken-eggs-zbcz1705

Here are some of my own observations.

Size

When compared side by side, the difference in the two is obvious.  Although some duck eggs are the same size as a jumbo chicken egg, many are at least 1/3 bigger.

Duck or chicken egg? It’s pretty easy to tell.

Cooking

With lower water content, duck eggs can become rubbery if they are fried too long or are hard-boiled.   I often scramble ours with no appreciable difference.  For David, who likes his sunny side up, I just add a bit of water and cover them with a lid.  I have read that duck eggs are great for poaching because they won’t fall apart.

A double-yoke duck egg vs. a chicken egg

Baking with duck eggs is ideal.  In fact, bakery chefs prefer them.   To substitute for chicken eggs, use the smallest duck eggs you have.  That way you can use the same number of eggs as called for in your recipe.  Because a duck egg has more albumen than a chicken egg, you will find that your baked goods have more lift and structure–they will be lighter and fluffier.  And, you will notice a richness that no chicken egg can match.

When using larger eggs, remember that your duck egg is easily 1/3 larger than a chicken egg.  So it’s time for some mental math.  If a cake recipe requires three to six chicken eggs, use two or four duck eggs.  I have also found that it helps to add a little extra liquid as your recipe may seem a bit drier.

Beating duck egg whites will take longer because the gel is thicker.  But patience wins–it can be done.  Try bringing the whites to room temperature before beating.

Taste

Ducks thrive on protein.  Ours wander everywhere. They eat grass and weeds as they search for delicious bugs and critters that live in the soil.  This can alter the taste of their egg.  However, our ducks are supplemented with a daily portion of the same gmo-free feed that our chickens eat. This seems to balance the flavor.  We really don’t notice much difference between their eggs and our chickens’.

One other bonus:  due to that famous high protein, we stay full longer on fewer eggs.  Whether scrambled, in french toast, in a frittata or quiche, duck eggs are delicious!

Cholesterol

There is one important factor to consider before plunging into your first dozen duck eggs.  They are significantly higher  in cholesterol than chicken eggs–2 to 3 times higher than the recommended daily allowance.  This is something you will want to discuss with your health care provider.  If you are on a low cholesterol diet, you may want to limit your consumption of duck eggs.

 

Freshly rinsed duck eggs because ducks love to bury them in the dirt.

Are you curious but not ready for a full dozen?  Try a duck egg half pak.  We now stock them in our convenient Customer Fridge.

Gmo-free duck eggs and chicken eggs are just two of the many fine products that we have available for you on Love Led Farm.  We specialize in pure, honest food for you and your family.  Hope to see you soon!

Warmly,

Eggonomics 101

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I suppose I was like most Americans.  When we needed eggs, day or night, summer or winter, I made a trip to the glass-covered refrigerator near the back of my grocery store.  I didn’t think much about how those eggs got there in the first place.  Nor did I worry about their availability.  Then we bought our first chickens and I learned a few things.

Did you know?

-Unless chicks are desired, hens do not need a rooster to lay eggs.  God just created them to do their job…lay eggs.

-Hens do not lay an egg every day…their bodies simply are not designed to produce 365 eggs.  Even if they could, creating an egg is about a 26-hour process.

-For most birds, production is highest in spring and fall.  Heat, cold, and strange weather patterns throw them off course and can cause them to stop laying altogether.

It’s easy to understand why large egg producers turn to automated, highly controlled systems to provide American consumers with the vast quantities of eggs that are consumed.  For those who prefer local eggs from a smaller farm this may also help you understand why your farmer may simply say, “Sorry, I have no eggs today.”

On Love Led Farm, we are entering our notorious summer “eggonomic slowdown.”  There are days when David and I sternly ask our hens, “Girls, where are the eggs?”  But although it is easy for us to grow impatient with our feathered friends, we are learning to adopt a more patient, understanding attitude.

For in nature, things work best when they are allowed to follow the plan designed for them.  And maybe when we do have the pleasure of eating a delicious free-range egg, we will more deeply appreciate what it took to appear on our plate.

Meanwhile…

Our meat birds are looking mighty fine!  Our second flock of 100 chicks will arrive next week, and we will order the third flock next month.  If you haven’t placed your orders, you will want to get hopping.  Summer is flying by–don’t miss your chance to fill your freezer with our famous, Love Led Farm chicken.

Warmly,

Dying Brown Eggs

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Will I ever outgrow the fun of coloring Easter eggs?  Not as long as I have family around.  Even after the girls left home, one or more of them would gather around the table a few days before Easter to plunge 2 dozen boiled white eggs into a rainbow of colors.  White eggs?

The breeds of hens that I raise lay brown eggs.  And  like most people, I assumed that dying them would be a problem.  So each year, I have dutifully made my way to the supermarket’s egg display to buy my sale-priced, 2 dozen, white eggs while my hens produced dozens of beautiful eggs–mine for the taking.  Not this year.

I recently read an article on dying brown eggs and decided to give it a try.  I purchased the same cheap dye kit that we have always used and hard boiled the eggs just like always.

Here are the results.

Are you surprised?  Me too!  The colors are actually more vibrant and have a beautiful sheen.  Thinking that brown eggs might need a longer soaking time to absorb the color, I left the first 6 in the color cups for about 5 minutes; the second 6 for only 2 or 3 minutes.  There was no noticeable difference.

As my husband admired the eggs, he asked the question that is on all of our minds:  “So with white eggs being less than a dollar and brown eggs being $3.50, why would anybody want to spend the money to dye them?”   And, if all they will be used for is an egg hunt, okay, I might agree.

But I want to eat these eggs, while maintaining our healthy food choices. Deviled eggs, egg salad, dipped in a bit of salt, we love hard-boiled eggs.   Yes, I want to be able to have my colored egg and eat it, too!  This year I have learned that I don’t have to compromise which makes me feel pretty good about serving them to those I love.

Happy Easter, Everybody!  Remember…the holiday isn’t about a bunny.  It’s about a Lamb.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frozen Eggs

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Ah Winter!

On one particularly cold January night, the egg basket sat forgotten in our garage.  The result?  Frozen eggcycles.  Rather than toss almost 3 dozen eggs that could not be sold, I decided to experiment.  Would they be any good?  Could I use them as usual?

Any eggs with large cracks were discarded as I saw no need to invite unwelcome bacteria into our bodies.  Those without cracks were divided into two groups.  The first were rinsed and stored in a carton in the refrigerator where, after many days, they finally thawed.

One morning, in an impatient mood, I thought I would try frying a couple.  After all, the dog, the cat,  and I wanted to eat eggs.  The finished product?

As the whites still contained plenty of ice crystals, they took longer than normal to cook.  The key seemed to be “Low and Slow.”  But as you can see, the end results were just fine.

The remaining eggs were placed in a basket where they sat at room temperature.  Although I removed all traces of dirt, I did not soak them.  This allowed their protective waterproof layer to remain intact.  Thawing, was of course, much quicker and once thawed, the eggs were just…eggs.  I cooked and baked with them with no noticeable differences.

So why would you purposefully want to freeze eggs?  Maybe you found a great deal on them and want to load up.  Perhaps you will be traveling and want to store the contents of your refrigerator until you return.  Maybe you want to take some on your camping trip without the mess of broken eggshells.  Or, perhaps you are food prepping and would like to freeze eggs in small portions for favorite recipes.

The American Egg Board has compiled an online, alphabetical encyclopedia about eggs.  Searching though it, you will find all you could ever wish to know, including how to freeze them.   Apparently, eggs can be successful frozen for up to a year.  However, because they do expand their contents when frozen, it is better to crack them open and pour the contents into freezer containers.  Here are some tips that they offer:

*Freeze only clean, fresh eggs and always label with the date you prepared them.

*For Egg Whites:  Separate the eggs one at a time, pour into freezer containers or into empty ice cube trays.  If you choose the latter, just empty each frozen compartment into a larger container and label.

*For Yolks:  It is a property of eggs yolks to gel when frozen, making them difficult to use in a recipe.  To help retard this this thickening, beat in 1 1/2 tsp. of sugar or 1/8 tsp. of salt per 1/4 cup of egg yolk (about 4 yolks).  Then freeze in a container and label.

*Whole Eggs:  Beat until blended.  Pour into containers, or again, ice cube trays.  Label with the number of eggs you have prepared and freeze.

To Thaw Frozen Eggs:  Place containers of frozen eggs in the refrigerator overnight to thaw (I haven’t tried this but I assume they thaw more quickly without their shells) or under running water.  Egg whites will beat better if you then allow them to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Frozen or not, what other questions might you have about eggs?  Check out the website of the American Egg Board for answers:  https://www.incredibleegg.org.  Then contact me for fresh–not frozen–non-gmo, free-range eggs.

Creating your best dishes, starts with the best ingredients.

Robin—Love Led Farm

Balancing My Year

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“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” Jana Kingsford

Nature teaches us the truth about balance.  God’s plants and animals know that there is a time for growing, producing, harvesting, and resting.  It seems that we humans learn a bit more slowly.  But when my body and pen were overly taxed, thanks to two back-to-back viruses, January became a time to rest and recoup.  Resting the body, however, did not mean relaxing the mind.  And so January also was a month of thinking, accessing, learning, and planning.

I am so excited about the months ahead!

The first big news to share with you is that in March, after 11 years, I will be leaving my off-the-farm job to become a full-time farmer.  For me, this is a dream come true; for you it means more availability to help with questions and visits.   In fact, this summer I will establish weekly”store hours” when someone will be available on the premises to personally help with anything you need.

Here is a summary of 2017 and then a quick peak at a few of the plans we have for 2018:

*Goats – Four herd share customers shared the milk of two goats last year.  This year, I have bred a third doe, which means there will be more herd shares available.  Call or email me if you are interested.  Herd shares will begin in May.

*Eggs – In 2017, we sold 90-100 dozen eggs per month.  That’s quite an omelet!  We will continue to expand the flock this year, and yes, Oliver does have his famous blue eggs to sell.  The roadside sign will probably go up in May.  Until then, call or email if you want eggs.  We have plenty.

*Meat Chickens – Last year we raised almost 200 delicious chickens.  This year, we plan to raise 300.  Due to Michigan’s finicky spring weather, we will start the first flock in early May.  Pick-Up Days will again be in June, August, and September.  Watch future posts for details and start planning your order.

*Hogs – David and Oliver will be raising a few hogs this year.  You will be able to order quarters, halves and whole.  Their plans are to start the piglets in early April and  finish them by November.   Let me know if you are interested so that they will raise enough.

*Sheep – This will be my “practice” year as I expand into non-gmo, grassfed lambs.  This year’s flock will be small but if you are interested in lamb for your freezer this fall, let me know.

*Turkeys – We have talked about it for years–non-gmo, pastured turkeys.  This year, we will add them to the farm.  You’ve enjoyed our chicken.  Why not buy your Thanksgiving turkey from us, too?  Details will be coming, so watch and prepare to order yours.

What an ambitious year!  I can feel my impatience, waiting for spring to arrive so we can take off running.  But even as I write,  I remember the need for balance.  So instead of impatience, let me choose gratitude for these cold winter months.  I need them, if only to remember that things other than farms are important, too…like the four little people who call us Papa and Nana.

 

 

Need Eggs?

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There was the time that I stood by a nest begging a hen to finish laying her egg.  I needed it to fill an order for a customer who was standing in the garage/sales room, waiting for her order.  Talk about fresh!

I am happy to report that we now have plenty of eggs for everyone–enough that we have put the roadside sign up again.  These are non-gmo (always), free-range, and full of nutrition.  You will find them in the blue cooler near our convenient, circular drive.  We charge $3.50/dozen–a bargain if you have priced non-gmo eggs lately–and should stay fresh and delicious for 2-3 weeks.  With holiday baking just around the corner, you will want to keep plenty on hand.

Delicious results start with delicious ingredients–insist on the best.

We’re Love Led Farm.

 

Real People Want to Make Cheese

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To be able to offer my friends and customers “raw” food basics like chicken, milk, and eggs in their purest, most nutritious state, is a delight.  These truly are building blocks for healthy living.  But like you, as I hold those eggs in my hand, and look at my milk jug, my mind  searches for new ways to use them.  And so I scour the internet and talk with others, looking for ideas and recipes.

Often what I find is highly impractical for most folks.  Take cheese recipes for example.  If you are already paying a golden price for your share of milk, every drop is precious.  Who needs a recipe that calls for 2 gallons of milk?  Probably either someone who own goats or someone who only wants to make cheese.  For many, it seems more practical to drink the milk and buy the cheese.

This leads me to a new resolve:  to find and share information and recipes that can be made in any home.  So once or twice a month, I will do just that.

To accomplish this goal, I would love your input.  What do you do with eggs and milk? How do you stretch your pastured chicken?  What new dishes have you tried and enjoyed?

Let’s create a forum for sharing recipes and ideas, using healthy ingredients in practical but delicious ways.  Here are the guidelines.  Every couple of weeks, I will name a topic.  Submit your ideas to me and I will share them, one or two at a time.

Since Friday is our next Chicken Pick-up Day, let’s start us with, “The 4-Day Chicken”.   What are four ways you can use your delicious bird?  In next week’s article, I will share what I did, and then you can tell us about your cooking magic.

Real ideas for real people…now that sounds downright neighborly.

Of Chickens and Eggs

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So which did come first–the chicken or the egg?  I can’t confirm it, but I have a sneaking suspicion it was the chicken.  Either way, we have plenty of both right now.

– Our next Meat Bird Pick-up Day is August 4th.  We still have few beautiful birds available…order soon.

– On the 18th, our last and largest flock of meat birds will arrive.  How many will you need for the winter months?

– Within a month, our 36 newest hens will begin laying non-gmo, free-range eggs.  How many do you use each week?  Just ask and we will have them waiting for you.

For the chicken or the egg, there’s only one place you need to look.  Come and visit us!  We’re Love Led Farm.

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