Early Summer on the Farm

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June 4, 2024

Early summer is BUSY, but also a lot of fun. Here's what we've been up to.

CALVES

Our momma cows gave us around 20 calves this spring! These mommas do a great job caring for their babies...and grazing their way through pastures.

In the video below, you can see how quickly they chomp up the grasses' leaves, and why we move them frequently - after only about 36 hours in a 1-acre section.

When we do this, the cows are always munching fresh grass AND it leaves behind enough uneaten greenery to allow the grasses to fully regenerate.

The cows' hooves also trample the stems during their brief visit, which begins the process of breaking down organic matter to build topsoil and promote soil health.

This is just one way the cows are contributors to the health of our pastures.

GREEN KIDS

We don't require our kids to work the farm. But we make sure we're opening the door for opportunity.

Teaching kids in a safe and controlled environment how to properly operate equipment is a crucial process in family farm life. Our youngest took the wheel of the skidsteer loader for the first time this spring - winning Jordan the "Exalted Cool Dad of the Year" award.

BUILDING COOL STUFF

We have majorly been working on building 8 "MRC" (mobile range coops) for chickens. We have been and still are using Salatin-style movable shelters (some people call them chicken tractors) for the last 13 years. As the majority of pens have completely worn out since building them, we (aka Jordan) decided to design something new.

The result was a shelter that could be moved by a tractor, hold more birds, last for 20+ years, and provide a cooler, airier environment. An extra bonus is that it's a height we can walk into! Woohoo!

Jordan has been honing the design for several years, and this year we built out the final design...times eight. They will double as shelters for the pigs during wet winter weather.

OLD SHELTERS:

NEW MRCs!

TAKING A BREAK

When we can and to celebrate special occasions like a birthday and anniversary, we sometimes schedule and take a few days off the farm. It seems we can't get too far from grassy fields, but it's nice to have time for rest and fun.

Antietam Battlefield, Maryland

We hope your summer is off to a fun and not too busy start. Thanks as always for choosing to support our family farm!

Whole Chicken = $$avings!

When I take a whole chicken (or two, for my family of 6) and use every bit of it to nourish my family each week, it not only feels like a beautiful choreographed dance, but it makes me want to dance like a little kid. I feel peace and strength in knowing that I can take a whole chicken and have the flexibility to use it in so many ways and use it well for my family. We need more of those feelings in our lives, don't you think? If you want that same happiness, peace, strength, and savings that come from using a whole chicken in your kitchen and knowing you're using your food dollars well, this post is for you.The best practice in using whole chickens is to begin by thawing your chicken in your refrigerator for at least a day before you plan to cook it. Thawing the bird this way allows you to season it before cooking to ensure the best flavor, or cut it up to use individual pieces. (Jordan made a really cool video showing how we cut up our chickens. You can find that here on YouTube.) The great thing about learning to cut up your own bird is there's no quiz at the end. You can practice in your own kitchen at your own convenience, and before you know it, you'll feel that confidence in your skills. For cooking the bird whole, my favorite cooking method is in a Dutch oven or covered roasting pan. But before placing your chicken in a pan, use a paper towel to pat the bird dry. This lets all your spices penetrate the meat and results in a more robust flavor. I season my chicken (you can rub seasonings into or even under the skin) with salt and pepper, and then choose one or two more spices like garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, oregano, or thyme. An easy option is to keep your favorite pre-mixed seasoning mixes on hand. You can also cook the bird in the crock pot or Instant Pot. In most cases, roasting the whole bird in the oven gives the best flavor and texture. My family's personal favorite way to cook whole chickens is in an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven. (My children always love the crispy skin and eat it like chips!) Whatever method you use to cook your birds, I always recommend placing chickens breast-side down. This ensures the white meat doesn't dry out as it cooks, but stays moist and juicy! In the oven, plan to cook your chicken at 350 for about 20 minutes per pound. Use a meat thermometer to check that your chicken reaches at least 165 degrees. I usually shoot for about 180 degrees, because we like the meat very tender and falling off the bones. Let your bird rest 10-15 minutes before you cut into it. This allows the juices to redistribute and locks them in for tastier chicken. On the day you cook your bird, enjoy the mouthwatering flavor by serving it whole. My husband and I both enjoy the dark meat most, so we eat the thighs on the first night. My 5 and 3 year-olds always request "bone meat", so they usually eat the legs or wings. Now that all 4 children love roasted chicken, we usually cook 2 chickens at a time so that we have more left over after our first meal. After dinner, I pick off the bones what meat is left and store the bones and the chicken in separate containers overnight. And save that juice! The bones and juice cooked off the chicken will be used tomorrow for making bone broth. From a 4-5-pound chicken, you can expect 5-7 cups of boneless, skinless chicken (total). One of my chickens was around 5 pounds, and you can see in the photo that I ended up with nearly 8 cups! If you want, you can freeze your shredded chicken to use later. Most recipes call for 2 cups of shredded or cubed chicken, so keep that in mind if you decide to freeze it. It's a good idea to freeze it in 2-cup bags or containers. When deboning, I like to separate the chicken into large chunks. Then, with a clean, sharp pair of kitchen scissors, I can simply cut it up into cubes of any size I want. These easy chicken cubes make the BEST white chili, soups, or chicken salad you can imagine! Since it will easily keep in a sealed container in your refrigerator for up to 7 days, you can also spread your chicken meals out and alternate with another protein source some nights, or plan for easy homemade lunches. (We eat a LOT of chicken salad around here.)Here are some of our favorite ways to use this homemade boneless, skinless chicken: Chicken chiliChicken pot pieThai chicken curryAny casserole that calls for chickenHomemade pizzaChicken saladChicken enchiladas Chicken FajitasAsian stir fryCheck out our library of Tried and True chicken recipes A good chicken should be more than just a nourishing meal. You should have peace of mind knowing that you used your hard-earned dollars well, and it's great if it makes you want to do a happy dance, too. Do you have a favorite way to prepare a whole chicken? Share your recipes, stories, and those little traditions that make a meal feel like home to you. Here’s to gathering often, eating well, and savoring every bite. Hannah

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