May Your Days Be Merry...

Christmas has come and gone, another year is coming to and end, and life still goes on here on the  farm.  Our Jersey Girls all still need to be milked each day, the chickens need to be cared for along with the rabbits, and trhe list gones on.  Even Christmas is no vacation. But we'd have it no other way. =)

We hope that each of you had a blessed Christmas and may your New Year be one of growth and health.

~Pine Grove Farm

Farm News

With the beginning of winter this coming week, and snow already established, it looks as if it's going to be another snow-filled wonderland until spring. Not that there's anything wrong with that though. =/

Here on the farm we've been able to get our wood cut, split, stacked, and some of it burnt. While the fire is truely a delight, since we only heat with our stoves, it makes for C~O~L~D mornings!

Some other "new" happenings around here is our newest Jersey Girl, Jade. She's settled in and doing nicely.  We were recenlty sent some pictures of another finished sock from our Sock Making Class back in October. This student has made a stocking ready for Christmas!

Simlpy wonderful!

We have some fresh lamb on the hoof that will be ready to slaughter at the end of the month. If you would like some super delicious, highly nutritious lamb for your family, just contact us here at the farm! Here are some articles to teach you all about this selenium dense, rich in iron, zinc, and B12, high protein food.

• http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-lamb-6426.html 
• http://hubpages.com/hub/Health-Benefits-of-Lamb  
• http://www.naturallambcoop.com/nutritionalbenefits.htm

We hope that each of you keeps warm and keeps your loved ones near this Christmas Holiday,

~Pine Grove Farm

Raw Milk Products Win Again!

Just take a quick look at this article (found at MSN) about some funky butter. Although my Grammy always swore that butter was the best things for a burn, I don't think she meant it would SAVE me from getting burned.

I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter (because it’s also flame-retardant)

This is one more reason to save your cream each week and make your own butter! We've shared with you before how easy it is to make your own butter right at home. If you don't want to do it our way, you can also just pour your cream right into your blender- it takes at least half the time that way. (I'm just a purist I guess)

It really is so simple and just so darn yummy! The health benefits are wonderfully rich as well

So here's to our beautiful Jersey Girls! They've done it again!

~Pine Grove Farm

A Fellow Blogger Drinks Raw Milk

It's always wonderful to find a fellow blogger who also enjoys the benefits from raw milk. In her post, she even shares with us some highly-nutritious recipes from Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions Cookbook. (See side bar for ordering info)

How Much Milk is too Much?

~Sock Class Revisted~

Life is busy on a farm. And around here isn't any different than on any other farm. So, even though our Beginner Sock Class was held last month, it's only today that I've had time to show you all about it!

 

~Pine Grove Farm

Our Jersey Girls Are the BEST!!

 You GO girls!!!

The Devil in the Milk is a new book written by Keith Woodford is a look into why we neede to drink the proper kind of milk- yup. even when it's raw.

Here's some informative links to this book:

The Bovine (a blog)

Mercola.com




~Pine Grove Farm

Fresh Pork Has Arrived!

Last week the Farmer and his Wife left the farm and returned with a whole bunch of farm fresh pork. The freezer is now stocked with sausage,  roasts, bacon, mmmmmm, bacon. Stop by this week and choose some for your family table.

~Pine Grove Farm

Just a Few Spaces Left!

Our Cheese Making 101 class was so very popular the first time we held it (back in the summer) that we are hosting one again! This class has filled up very fast as well, and we only have 3 spots left! Is one of the spaces yours?

From our Summer Class

In this beginner's class, we will start with basic cheese recipes, such as Rennet Cheese, Chevre' and a basic hard cow's milk cheese. We will also discuss Latin American "White Cheese" and Ricotta. Also, along with cheese, butter, and yogurt. Recipes and sources for cultures, enzymes, molds, and molds (yes even the yucky looking green stuff!) will be distributed.

Sample cheese and crackers as you learn.
Class includes:
~Cheese samples
~Recipes
~Sources List

So contact us here at the Farm today and we'll make room for you on November 6!

Can't wait to see you there,
Pine Grove Farm

~Home Cooking~

Have you seen the weather forecast for the next week? Brrrr- down into the 40's each night! Do you have any wood split, stacked, and stocked yet? How many of you heat with wood? Here on The Farm we heat only with wood stoves- 3 to be exact.

What do you like to feed your loved ones during the cold seasons of the year? This past week we have had great success with some rabbit meat grown right here at Pine Grove Farm. This recipe takes such a small amount of work, and yields such a healthy, filling, yummy meal that we want to share it with all of you.

Slow Roasted Rabbit

• Slice 2 onions and place in bottom of slow cooker
• rub salt & pepper (to taste) onto 3-5 lb rabbit
• place 1-2 sliced garlic cloves into the cavity
• set rabbit on top of onion inside cooker
• add 3 bay leaves
• 1 whole clove
• 1cup hot water
• 2 tbs soy
• 2-4 tbsp bacon grease, butter, or even bacon slices (yum)
• Cover and set on LOW for 10-12 hrs

When you return from your busy day, your home will be filled with the pleasing aroma of dinner! You can even remove the rabbit, add a few tablespoons of flour (or corn starch, or arrow root powder) into 1/2 cup water, mix, then pour into cooker for a wonderfully healthy-tasty gravy!

Don't forget to add a veg to the side!

Stay warm and stay healthy,
Pine Grove Farm
PS- If you haven't heard about our next class, it's all about learning to make cheese! Check out the side bar for more info on how you may register. =)

Leaves Aren't the Only Thing Falling ...

Well friends, it looks as if we'll be getting some new pork in next week! That's such good news for you because that means (drum roll) we're cleaning out the freezer down in the Farm Shop!!

Without further ado, here's the updated Meat Prices. This list is only good for as long as it's there folks, so get it while the gettin's good! =)

Pine Grove Farm

Now Available All Natural Beef, Pork, Lamb

White Stand Up Freezer

1^st Shelf Rabbit $4.75 lb.

Chicken 4.25 lb.

. Pork Loin Roast 4.54 lb.

2^nd Shelf Beef Arm Roast 3.59 lb.

Beef Rib Steak 5.24 lb.

Beef Silver Tip Roast 4.89 lb.

Beef Sirloin Steak 5.24 lb.

Beef Delmonico Steak 9.59 lb.

Beef T-Bone Steak 5.24 lb.

Beef Liver 2.99 lb

3^rd Shelf Pork Tenderloin 6.24 lb.

Lamb Loin Roast 13.99 lb.

Lamb Crown Roast 13.99 lb.

Lamb Chops 9.59 lb.

Lamb Shanks 7.99 lb.

Lamb Ribs 10.99 lb.

Small Drawer Parmesan Cheese 6.99 lb.

4^th Shelf Beef Short Ribs 3.05 lb.

Bottom Drawer Beef Ground Sirloin 4.89 lb.

Door Beef Soup Bones 3.24 lb.

Beef Ox Tail 3.24 lb.

Bread Country White Wheat 5.50 loaf

Flour Fresh Mill Hard Red Wheat

Revised 10/22/2010

Our Jersey Girls Do it Again!

Our Jersey Milk is some of the most healthy and nutritious milk available.
(This info comes from www.tasteofgoodness.co.uk)

Nutritional Benefits

Jersey or Guernsey milk products are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals.

 

 

Vitamin A for eyesight Vitamin B12 for red blood cells Carbohydrate for energy Magnesium for muscle function Phosphorus for release of energy Calcium for teeth and bones Potassium for nerve function Protein for growth and repair Riboflavin for healthy skin Zinc for the immune system Milk from these breeds contains; 9% more protein up to 33% more vitamin D up to 25% more vitamin A and 10% more calcium than average milk.   In children 4-6 years old a 200ml glass of Jersey or Guernsey milk will provide approximately The full daily requirement for Vitamin B12 60% of the daily requirement for calcium 59% of the daily requirement for phosphorous 49% of the daily requirement for riboflavin 38% of the daily requirement for protein 21% of the daily requirement for magnesium 26% of the daily requirement for potassium 24% of the daily requirement for vitamin A 13% of the daily requirement for zinc 12% of the daily requirement for folate 21% of the daily requirement for thiamin

Ummm, YUCK!!!

An intersting article over at Yahoo News.

"Vladimir Lenin, King Tut and the McDonald's Happy Meal: What do they all have in common? A shocking resistance to Mother Nature's cycle of decomposition and biodegradability, apparently...."

To read the rest of the article, click HERE

Don't forget to pick up some of our super FRESH rabbit, beef, or chicken meat the next time you're visiting the Farm Store

~Pine Grove Farm.

So Fall has fallen and we are getting ready for winter here. We have had some great classes these past few months, and are looking forward to having more to come. (Check them out in our side bar) Our Green House is up and we are so excited to see the good things growing there. We can't wait to share them with you soon!

We have introduced Rabbit Meat to our freezer recently.  So we'd like to share with you  a few easy recipes on how to prepare your Oh-So-Healthy-Pine-Grove-Farm-Rabbit. These are  just a few of the many that you can find over at
www.mybunnyfarm.com 

Crock Pot Rabbit Recipe

Rabbit Stew Recipe 

 Barbecue Rabbit Recipe

 

~Cheese Making 101~

Do you remember our first Cheese Making class? It was so popular that we ran out of space! We promised you then that there would be a second class for all those who happened to miss the first.

Well, this is it! Just like the first class, this one is also offered on a first-come-first-served basis.  Space is limited so you will want to reserve you spot early. ($20 due @ time of registration) The class will be held on November 6 from  1pm-3pm. (The remaining $20 is due at time of class)

Here's some info from the first class:

--- Making Cheese on your own can seem daunting, but only until you learn a few easy steps. Nature intended milk to convert to cheese for longer storage, and all you have to do is learn to understand and guide the process so that you can end up with the type of cheese you desire.

In this beginner's class, we will start with basic cheese recipes, such as Rennet Cheese, Chevre' and a basic hard cow's milk cheese. We will also discuss Latin American "White Cheese" and Ricotta. Also, along with cheese, butter, and yogurt. Recipes and sources for cultures, enzymes, molds, and molds (yes even the yucky looking green stuff!) will be distributed.

Sample cheese and crackers as you learn.
Class includes:
~Cheese samples
~Recipes
~Sources List

Can't wait to see you there!

~Pine Grove Farm

~Cheese Making. . . Again!~

Our first Cheese Making Class filled up with folk so quickly, that we are having another just for those of you who missed us the first time around.
                                                  Mark your calendars
                                                                           . Set the date.

                                             November 6, 2010

 Keep an eye out here for the rest of the Cheese story!

~Pine Grove Farm

~It's Fillin' Up Fast!~

Wow, we are already filling up space for our Sock Class starting October 16! Can't believe it! So, take time to register right here on the blog. Just click the Email link on the side bar. Once we respond to you, you can pay your  $25 deposit to hold your spot. If you'd prefer, you can also put a check in the mail, or place it in the Farm Shop.

We are very excited about this class and are looking forward to seeing ya'll there!

                        ~Pine Grove Farm

~Knitting 101 Revisited ~

Some knitted things on display.

 

Casting on.

 Our next class is Sock Knitting and it starts next month! Hurry and sign up for this class as half of the limited number of seats are filled already! Just contact us here on the farm.

~Sock Class~

...Already know the How's of Knitting but want to learn to make socks?

...Wonder what you're gonna do while being snowed in this winter?

...Want a knitting project that is small, and easy to take with you almost anywhere? (I took mine to Kings Dominion this past weekend, ahem)

Then don't forget to put your name down for Pine Grove Farm's Sock Knitting Class!

In this class you'll learn to:

• Cast on in the round on DPN's (double pointed  needles)
• knit an entire sock from ribbing to toe
• Be introduced to other, like-minded knitters.

Be sure to register early, because space is VERY limited and this class will fill up fast!

When: October 16, 23, 30 from 11am-1pm
Where: Pine Grove Farm
Cost: $50 plus supplies
How:  Contact via email,  Facebook, or phone here at the Farm.

~Learning To Knit!~

 We are mere weeks away from the Shenandoah Fiber Festival!  This year we thought we'd help with the fiber-love by hosting a Learn To Knit Class. This introductory class will teach you the basics of knitting:

• The different types of yarn & their uses
• The different types of needles 
• how to cast on
• The 2 basic stitches (knit & purl)
• How to cast off

There will also be different knitted garments on display to inspire you!

Learn To Knit will be held on the opening day of the Fiber Fest and will finish in time for you to venture out and experience all the Fest has to offer! Or, if you'd rather, you can choose to attend our Learn To Knit on Saturday and then enjoy Shenandoah Fiber Fest all day on Sunday!

Space is very limited due to time constraints so register early!

When: Saturady, September 25, 2010
Times: 11am-1pm
Cost:$30/ person
(a list of supplies will be given at registration)
How to Register: Contact us here at the Farm via email, phone, or Facebook and we'll hold a spot for you!

~Come On In!~

Welcome to our first "peek" of Pine Grove Farm House! Just walk on up and knock on our front door:

 

Now that you're inside, let us give you a quick look around.

Now, back at the bottom of the stairs you will find this cute little gem of a chair next to a door. This is the entrance to a room that is in the process of receiving much needed love. 

We are so glad that you took the time to visit with us today. And while we'd love to show you the rest of the Farm house, The Farmer and His Wife need to get the milking done and the animals fed. Come on back another day and we'll show ya some more!

Ya'll come back now,

                                  ya hear?

Another Look at the Egg Recall

A great op-ed piece from a Weston A. Price Foundation Member on the recent egg recall. In the interest of spreading the word, she is open to letting others re-print it!

Public Interest Groups Get it Wrong on Egg  Recall

Some Good Reading

Study: Vitamin D3 Prevents Flu Better than Vaccines/Anti-virals

HERE is an interesting article worth reading about Vitamin D3.

~(nearly) Wordless Wednesay~

Layla just hanging out getting ready to calve, as Blackie (beef cow)  plays queen of the hill

Pictures of Cheese 101

What FUN we had on Saturday! New friends, Old friends, and Good-for-you, Oh-so-yummy, Hand-made CHEESE! (We even are selling the Parmesan/Romano down in the Farm Shop)

Upper right: Labna; Middle :Chevre; Bottom right: Parmesan/Romano Block

Instructor Patricia....

Everyone gathered in the Farm Kitchen  learning how to do things "Like Granny used to do"

                              

           Hope toy see more of you for our next class!

Stay tuned for our up and coming Class   List and Farm Happenings for the Fall.

~Pine Grove Farm

Can't Wait For Tomorrow!

We are really excited about tomorrow! Our Cheese Making 101 is not only the first class we've offered, but also has turned out to be the very well attended.  If there are any of you who still might want to attend, just drop us a line! We'll be sure to take photos and post them here.

This is the first of many classes that we are going to be having here at Pine Grove Farm, so stay tuned!

*Update Policies*

We hope that this letter finds everyone doing well and enjoying their summer. This letter is to inform you of some important changes to the farm's policies. We have had to change certain aspects of the policies due to the growing number of customers we have visiting the farm on a daily basis. These new policies will be implemented immediately and we ask that you observe these new policies on all future visits to the farm in order to keep the farm safe and enjoyable for everyone.

1. The farm has changed the hours of operation to 9am - 7pm Monday - Saturday and 12pm - 4pm on Sunday. The driveway is gated and the farm will only be accessible during the farm's hours of operation. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. If you need to make a pick-up after closing, we ask that you make prior arrangements at least 24 hours in advance. In addition, if you call the farm after hours, please leave a message and your call will be returned the following day. 
2.  Please observe the 10mph speed limit and keeps vehicles on the driveway. This helps Mr. Wisecarver to maintain the road & ditches for water control, and helps keep the dust down.  The farm is providing a safe place- sometimes there are children walking in the driveway. Please keep in mind that we have several animals that are not fenced in and have access to the driveway that we do not wish to be hit.
3. We ask that you keep your children with you at arms length at all times. This is to ensure their safety. We have many pieces of farm equipment out in the open that pose a possible threat to their safety and we are  finding that some of the pieces of equipment are missing important parts. We also have a variety of animals and some of these animals do not cope very well with strangers. Contact with strangers negatively affects their health.  We depend on our animals as a source of income and we don't want their health affected. While in the farm shop, we ask that you not allow your little ones to touch the times we have on consignment from other businesses. This will help to ensure that the farm will not have to pay for any damages.
4. Everyone, when signing for the Cow Share Program, was given 3 sets of milk jars per share. This is to ensure that there is a set of jars per share at the farm every week.   We  are currently having a problem with jars not being returned, and missing lids on returned jars. If lids are not on the jars, there is always a possibility of dirt and contamination prior to filling the jar with milk .In the past, Pine Grove Farm has supplied extra jars to the Cow Share Owner when the owners have not returned their weekly jars. We have done so in order that the full quantity of the share can be filled for the Cow Share Owner the following week. We will no longer be able to provide this free service of the extra, free, jars due to the increase of cost. Pine Grove Farm will only fill the jars returned for the following week, unless the share owner continues to have their 3rd set of jars here at the farm.  The third set is to ensure that, if the jars are not returned for that week, the following week your share will be filled per the contract.  Every Cow Share Owner should have an extra set of jars here at the farm per share at all times. 

We  understand that there are many exciting things to see here at the farm, but we ask that you respect our time as we are very busy here  everyday and rarely have a moment to spare. We don't want to offend anyone, or come across as being rude, so we are in the process of finalizing a calendar of events with specific days that well allow  you and your family to spend some times here at the farm and get to know us and our farm hands better. We are not trying to ignore anyone; we are just extremely busy trying to make Pine Grove Farm more productive.

Please keep your eyes open for the calendar of events and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call. We appreciate your understanding and compliance with the new policies.

Sincerely,
Jeff & Teresa
aka
The Farmer & The Farmer's Wife

                     
   

Auntie Em!!

Although we  never quite felt the need to run for the storm cellar,  (and we never did see that woman flying by on a bike.. . ) , the storm that hit our area last week was freakish to say the least, and reminded us all of the fact that God is on His throne and in control, to say the most.

Storm warnings went out on the radio and telly. But that is something we get a few times a season, so no big worry there. The Farmer was working on his  Loader  down near the creek bottom and the Farmer's Wife was in the house.

The storm hit. It was the strangest storm in our memory. First the rain would come in from the left and hit the windows, then it would swirl around and come in from the right, THEN it would change direction once again and hit us straight on. Some parts in the area look as if a tornado touched down, ripped up the trees, and went away. Once things began to look dangerous, the Farmer's Wife thought it'd be most prudent to position herself in the most structurally sound area of the house. She figured SURELY The Farmer would be coming in any minute. He didn't.

The Farmer was in the creek bottom. It has very narrow, steep walls and most of the storm was going right over his head. He was just working away on the loader.
The Wife calls the Farmer on his cell "Are you alright???"
"What do you mean, 'am I alright?' " he asks

Just at about that point the storm hit him. Hard. He immediately lifted the tracks off of the ground so that he'd stop being a conductor. (That whole lightening thing) Once that was done, he still had to wait out the storm because he was under the trees and debris was falling all over and on top of the loader. Large branches were falling from trees and some of our oldest trees snapped right off near the base.

Once the storm appeared to be letting up. The Farmer decided to make  a run for the house. He didn't get far. When he was in  the open field, the Storm came back with all of it's ferocity. He made a bee line to the barn, and there he waited out the rest of the Storm. At least there, he was in view of the house and The Wife could see he was, indeed, safe.

Whew.

This picture was taken after the storm had passed. Can you see the rainbow?)

In the quiet of the Storm's passing, we realized it was TOO quiet. You know, the kind of no-electrical-motors-running kind of quiet. Yup, you guessed it. We were without power.
                                              For NINE hours.
We lost over 35 gallons of milk along with everything else.
But.
On the good side? We have some of the best cow share holders who were all very understanding and concerned. Everyone was quite understanding to the problem.







These next ones all happened to the same tree, right where most of our animals either live, or are worked. This tree just split in areas and dropped a few large limbs







Here is where the cows line up to be milked, and to hang out in general. Although you can't get too good of a scope, it really is a large branch:





Just a small amount of the debris we had to deal with:


Thank you for all of you concern, understanding, and patience during the power outage folks!

Just a final reminder from God that He keeps His promises: