Pure local honey is a treasure worth waiting for.

Perhaps you remember that David and Meg delayed their honey harvest until spring so the bees would have enough to last through the winter.  A couple of weeks ago, they finally opened the hives and we held our breath.  How much honey would there be?  Would there be enough to share?

A fun way to answer those questions is to take you on a quick tour of Honey Harvest 2022.

Harvesting the Honey

You have probably driven past bee hives like these.  In West Michigan, farmers actually “rent” bees to pollinate their blueberries in the spring so you might notice these boxes at the edge of their fields.

Every few months, while the rest of us watch from a respectful distance, David and Meg suit up to check on their hives.  When they sense that enough honey has been produced, it’s time to harvest.

These boxes, called supers, contain frames, in which the bees have created hundreds of honey-filled cells.  The first step of harvest is to pry each frame out to examine it more closely.

The bees seal each cell with wax.   This special heated knife scrapes open the seal, releasing the golden nectar.

The frames are loaded into brackets in an extractor.  Ours holds 4 frames at a time.  Think of it like the inside of your dryer turned upright.  As someone turns the handle, the frames spin, releasing the honey.

Of course we ask our taste testers to check the honey for quality assurance.  He (Wilder) heartily approved.

At the bottom of the extractor is a spout which through which the honey flows.  A double filter system catches wax, bits of pollen, and other impurities. Filtering can actually take several days to finish.

Finally, the honey is bottled and labeled.  And you know the answer to our questions.

Yes, We Have Honey!

The picture above is only a tiny view of my dining room table, filled with jars and bottles of honey.  We have a wide range of sizes–something for everyone.  Let me know what you need and I’ll make sure you get exactly the size you would like.  Or, stop by our farm where you will find a few containers that you can choose from.

Payment is easy.  We gladly accept cash, checks made out to Robin Tucker, and we now take Venmo.

Are you just too busy to think about buying honey during these summer months?  Don’t worry.   Our friends, the bees, have blessed us with plenty for months to come.

Local, raw Love Led Farm Honey is only one of the fine products we offer for your health and enjoyment.  How can we serve your family today?

See you soon…on Love Led Farm.

Warmly,

Something will be missing from our list of products this year.

 

Seven years ago, we filled our first chicken tractors with young meat birds and began rotating them around the only tree-free land on our farm.  This area just happened to be near the road and the yellow tarped roofs quickly gained attention.  I suspect that even now, local folks watch for this sign of the season:  when the chicken tractors of Love Led Farm are moving once again.

This year, they will be disappointed.  You, too perhaps?

As a farmer, one of the wisest things I can do is to learn to listen to our land.  It speaks volumes.   A couple of years ago, I began to notice some issues.  By the end of last year, I could no longer ignore the signs.  The chicken field was pleading for a break.

So this year we will not raise meat chickens.  Does that make you sad?  Me, too.

Think of this as a choice in values and stewardship.  Continually stripping our land of its health means propping up the the health of our birds, all for the sake of a few dollars.  That flies in the face of one of our core missions:  to manage our land responsibly, seeking to improve it along with the health of our livestock.

The better alternative, it seems,  is to respect the land’s need to rest and replenish so that future flocks will thrive from the goodness it provides.  Now that sounds more like us.

The payoff?  Healthy birds, healthy meat, healthy people.

That makes the choice a bit easier, doesn’t it?

Although we will all need to find alternative sources for good chicken this year, Love Led Farm will still be here, providing other fine products for you and your family.

We thank you for your understanding, for your loyalty, and for your friendship. 

Warmly,

 

 

On Valentines Day, we carved into a juicy, tender pork roast.  Once again, I thought about the blessing of the meat.

There was no running to a store with the hope of even finding a roast.  I only had to open my freezer door.  I didn’t groan because the price had gone up again.  That had been paid last year.  I didn’t wonder about the quality of the meat or how those animals had been treated.  I already knew.

And yes, dinner was delicious.

Although this is only February, I am already anticipating the day in October when once again, we fill our freezer with fresh, farm-raised pork.

On Love Led Farm, we start our farm year with squeals of delight. David has ordered the 6 piglets who will settle happily into their new home in early March.  Four grandchildren are actively working on names.

Why only 6 hogs?  Fewer pigs means we can pay close attention to them, offering better care and lots of space for them to run and play.

Raising pork makers is a craft. Each year we purposefully add to our experience and knowledge with two goals in mind:  happy, healthy pigs and pork that is the best you’ve ever tasted. If you have ordered from us before, you already know our reputation for pink, tender pork.

We work directly with Byron Center Meats,  allowing our customers to  design a freezer package specifically for their own families.

So the now question is: Who wants pork?

Here’s a fair warning:  already, half of our pigs are spoken for.
And I guess that makes sense. With continuing food scarcities and rising prices, why wouldn’t you want to make sure your freezer will be full of healthy, locally-raised meat next winter?

You will want to contact us quickly to reserve your own pork. But first, I’m guessing that you have some questions.  For answers, this is what you need to do…

Go to the homepage of our website and scroll down to “Hand-raised Pork.” Read about our practices and prices. Then contact me by phone or email. Pay the deposit to reserve your half or whole hog and nothing else will be due until your pork is finished.

Now you can breathe a sigh of relief.  You have just locked in your price and can plan on meat in your freezer this fall.

Warmer weather is coming soon which means we will all be getting busier.  So before you forget and it’s too late, do your research and contact us.  It would give us great pleasure to raise a pig for you.

Friends and neighbors, Love Led Farm is here to serve you.  How can we help?

Warmly,

 

So what are you going to give Aunt Alice and Uncle Jim who have absolutely everything?

Yikes!  That Christmas party is coming up and you are supposed to bring a dessert.  How are you going to fit baking into your jam packed schedule?

And must you really skip all the Christmas goodies?  You are, after all, trying to remain gluten-free.

Once again, Love Led Farm and Flourful Bake Shop can help. 

On Saturday, December 11, step away from the crazy bustle of the Big Box world and into our warm, cozy shop.  We will carry you off to a simpler place scented with spiced cider and hot cocoa–a place where the shopkeepers actually smile at you and have time for a friendly chat.

You will find tempting festive favorites like holiday breads and cookies both to sample and to purchase.  Grab a basket and create the perfect gift for those hard-to-shop-for relatives.

Gluten and dairy free?  Not a problem. 

That is, after all, Flourful Bakery’s specialty.  What a treat that would be…for others or for yourself.

Add a cute, embroidered tea towel or a hand-crafted Christmas ornament.  Or just ask, and we will create a custom-filled basket for you.

That upcoming Christmas party?  Let us create a bread or cookie tray for you.  We’ll have it ready just in time for your special event.

We will even have gift cards available.  Your loved one can work directly with us to choose their own delectable gift and a pick-up day that fits their schedule.

Christmas on Love Led Farm is Saturday, December 11 from 1 – 4 pm–only a week away!

Throughout the coming week, I will remind you by highlighting products that we will have available.  Each will be a reason to stop by.  So watch for my posts on Facebook and Instagram.  Then start making your plans, and your list.

We’ll see you soon…on Love Led Farm.

Warmly,

P.S.  Did you know that we now take Venmo???