Market News

Good morning!
I say this all the time and, here it goes again – it’s been too long since my last e-news! Born to an author, I am a writer at heart but, I also love so much more which keeps me away from the computer and in the farm fields and in our farm lounge. And, I also love people – anyone who knows me will tell you I will talk and share with just about anyone. I don’t understand those who turn away opportunities to interact with others because when I do it, it brings so much awareness and enhancement to my life. For example, I recently discovered Bonton Farms. It was amazing!! And, how did it happen??.. a young man called me asking questions which turned into a 15 minute conversation because if you ask me a question, I will give you all the answers I have. At the end of the conversation, the young man thanked me and told me he had called 12 others farms before reaching me and they all politely closed the door (or hung up the phone, rather) without offering much help. I told him it was my pleasure and explained that is simply who I am and what we are about. And, I live this philosophy on our farm too which is why we are creating FLAG on the Farm (Fellowship Learning And Growing… on the farm) and the Farm Lounge will be the designated place for these FLAG activities/gatherings. David and I are building this 1800 s.f. center by ourselves – no contractors, no bank loans, no grants :(. It is all coming out of the sweat of our brow and the (now very thin) lining in our pockets. So, because of this it is slow coming (we have been at this for a little over a year) and we ask you to be soft on criticism and bear with us as we are gradually opening even before it is fully finished. Many times I can’t believe it is happening – and it all started when Dad said “Buy a farm” 13 years ago – he was right, we were outgrowing our little Lucas farm!

Amidst construction, the farm is still top priority. We are a few weeks away from stocking our freezers with pork and lamb adding that to our already stocked beef in our farm store freezers. And, that is just our meat section on our market page. You can shop our market via this site anytime and we will get our available products to you. There is also a new button on the home page where you can reserve a farm tour – click the button and come out and see the farm in person. Bring a lunch or reserve a lunch – eat in the Farm Lounge or out on the field with the animals. Let us know what kind of experience you would like so we can oblige.
Experiences are wonderful!! My recent experiences have been:
* Bonton Farms where I learned about a small farm in Dallas that is bringing hope to a deprived community.
* Krsna Balarama Village just 15 minutes from me that aims to grow vegetables without irrigation. They love the land and they love cattle so much so that when they heard I had a sick calf, they came with a pre-blessed fresh flower garland for our little precious baby.
* Ecovillages in Portland, Oregon where you can live and garden in intentional communities.

There are so many good people doing so many good things revolved around growing and nurturing – a.k.a. farming. And, I always say, that is because the farm changes people. David and I have experienced that transformation (as you may know, we grew up in Chicago – a few dairy cows and chicks in the children’s section of the Chicago zoo was as close to farming we had ever been) and I have seen the change in many others. I recently ran into a family who visited our farm in the past at a festival in McKinney and when the kids saw me, the first thing they asked their dad is if they could go back to our farm even though they were at a fun filled packed festival at the moment. I encourage you to keep visiting and supporting your local farms – it is truly life enhancing. And, if you come by our place, remember, we are the “open door” farm – our gate is open.

Anand (5 mo. old calf pictured) means ‘happiness, joy, bliss.’ Find happiness at a farm anyday!

Sandra

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