Summertime

written by

posted on

June 14, 2023

School is out for the summer and all our kids are home. Popsicle season is underway at the farm. What’s a kid to do? First, you must wash coolers for the farmers markets.

Everyone knows how seriously clean coolers are to Jake’s CEO Lou Ann, aka Grandma. You want to put a perfectly marbled pork chop into a dirty cooler? The shame! Our kids are always excited to tackle this job while the sunshine helps dry their progress.

They also have their own animals to feed and water daily. Lucy feeds and waters two pigs, and Huck tackles the two dogs. The littlest ones tag along for fun, sometimes carrying a bucket, sometimes dropping it, and sometimes making the older ones laugh or grumble.

The rest of the day can be spent on a rope swing, or digging up the dirt. They help plant the garden, keep it watered, and pull some weeds when needed.

Sometimes they sit in front of the TV too while I tackle some work at my desk. Thankfully our neighbor is able to hang out with the kids a couple of days a week this year. They’ve already created crafts, made cookies, and mastered a few intense games of hide and seek.

The most sought-after time so far this season has been riding our Ranger to the back woods to see all the flower blossoms. We watched mamma sows nurse their piglets in the grass while eating their breakfast too.

Tonight, as the sun sets on another day, I am reminding myself to soak up all the simple joys of this popsicle season on the farm.

When Life Gives You Turkey...

We are picking up our latest creation from the farm’s bounty today. Real nourishing bone broth made from our pastured turkeys. This broth is made by simmering turkey backs and turkey feet with a medley of local vegetables. We are left with turkey backs after breaking down the whole carcass into pieces like wings, legs, breasts, and thighs. Our farm relies on utilizing the whole animal in order to maintain sustainability. Turkey backs and feet are generally used to create healthy bone broths, or can also be used to fuel a raw dogfood diet. The strong hands that crafted this broth are from our friends and long-time wholesale partners at Sauce and Bread Kitchen. Why bone broth? Not all broth is created the same, and it starts with what goes into the pot. When you simmer bones slowly over time, especially joints, feet, and connective tissue, you begin to draw out the deeper nutrients that aren’t found in a quick stock. Collagen, gelatin, minerals; the kind of nourishment that comes from using the whole animal, the way it was traditionally done. You’ll notice the difference right away. A true bone broth has body to it. When chilled, it gels. That’s a sign of the natural collagen that supports joints, skin, and overall recovery, especially this time of year as we come out of winter. But just as important as how it’s made is where it comes from. Our turkeys are raised outdoors, on pasture, moving, foraging, living the way they’re meant to. That life translates into stronger bones, healthier fat composition, and ultimately a broth that carries more depth; both in flavor and in nourishment. Compare that to most grocery store broths, where the source is often unknown, the cooking process is shortened, and the final product is diluted to hit a price point. It serves a purpose, but it’s not the same. This is slower. More intentional. Made from animals you know, raised on a farm you trust. Something you can sip on its own, or use as a base to bring real flavor and nourishment into your meals.

Summertime

More from the blog

What kids learn without being told...

When Life Gives You Turkey...

When Spring Hits Hard On The Farm🌱

Jake's Country Meats