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Farming in Spring

written by

Laura Green

posted on

May 16, 2023

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I love spring!  It's my favorite time of year because the trees, grass, and flowers are all in full bloom along with warm weather and sunshine!  Fresh vegetables are starting to become available again - we are just loving our CSA produce box. Anyone else?

As the cold months wrap up, we start transitioning over to many moving pieces all around our farm - chickens, turkeys, cows, and pigs...and lots of them!  They're grazing, eating, moving, and lovin' life.  We'll talk more below about what our poultry season looks like this time of year (scroll half way down).

Recently, we have brought the Traeger Smoker & Grill back out to start enjoying smoked hams, butts, briskets, and chicken again!  These are favorites and it's a side hobby that is enjoyed (and helpful) as our 3 kids grow and have hungry bellies after working hard "sometimes" alongside us (let's keep it real - other times they are off playing). lol  

Our Farm Friends (customers) are my top priority.  Every week we load orders, make deliveries to local VA drop sites, ship, manage curbside pick-up, store hours, and communicate with our customers by phone, email, social media, and website!  We don't sell our products through major grocery store chains, but instead directly to families who value relationships and sustainably-raised meats. 

It's always on our mind that it's through the support of our Farm Friends that sustainable farms like ours will restore lost farmland, build topsoil, and feed us well into the future.

Spring Chicks!

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We currently have 3 brooders full of chickens or turkeys, along with a set of chickens out on pasture.  Each brooder holds up to 750-800 chicks that get checked on all throughout the day to keep a close eye and make sure that everyone stays comfy and cozy.  

During the first couple weeks that chicks and poults (baby turkeys) are alive, it's critical that their conditions stay just perfect!

As soon as they are old enough and larger in size, they get to move to the great outdoors where they love the sunshine, bugs, grass, and fresh air.  We house them in shelters that are moved daily to fresh grass. It's lots of work to do this, but totally worth it!  You can see the impact on the vegatation that rapidly grows back.  

As we've said before, this type of sustainable farming is about healthy land and healthy food - the two go hand in hand. Be sure to join us for a tour this summer and SEE this firsthand.

Until we talk again, have a wonderful spring!

Sincerely,
Laura

More from the blog

Whole Chicken = $$avings!

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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