Remember Your Farmer

Product Update –

1) Chicken- We will process our fifth batch of chickens August 16th. Individual pieces will be added to our store for orders on August 17th - just ahead of August 21st delivery date.

2)Beef - Individual cuts - we added individual cuts to our store July 29th and are fully stocked

Custom Half Beef - if you are interested in getting a half beef it is not to late. Simply follow this link https://naturesgourmetfarm.com/custom-bulk-orders
to place your deposit.

3) Pork- We have some link & pattie sausage available. We have pork at the processor now that will be available late August (most likely after the 8/21 delivery date). If you are looking for a half or whole pig - our next processing date will be late September.

4) Eggs- Egg production has slowed down - mostly from the older hens. We've coordinated to receive younger hens scheduled to arrive August 16th so we can get them acclimated during the summer sales slump and be laying strong when demand picks up in the fall.

FARM UPDATE:
Hey, Ben here. We often hear about the “dog days” of summer but few know what the expression means. The Dog Days of Summer describes the most oppressive period of summer, between July 3rd and August 11th each year. But where did the term come from? And what does it have to do with dogs?

The phrase is actually a reference to the fact that, during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth and part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. This is why Sirius is sometimes called the Dog Star.

During this time of year we typically experience our greatest sales slump. Folks are really busy getting in that last minute vacation and preparing for school to start back up. And it cost a lot for all the school supplies you have to get these days. When I was growing up we made our annual trip to J.C. Penny for school cloths when the store was located in downtown Hattiesburg across from the post office on Pine Street. This was before "Mall's" and online shopping. I did not like this - we had to try everything on at least once to make sure it fit.

USDA Poultry Plant update - the physical structure is complete. Friday, Dr. Watson from MDAC was here to discuss our plans and location for composting offal. We were successful in getting them to let us operate an "open air" compost vs. building a barn structure with a concrete floor. Our operating procedures and setup will be similar to White Oak Pastures in GA that process 1000 foul per day. I should have the permit next week which is the last "permit" needed. The paperwork side of this has been harder than building the structure.

Friday we also had a new customer (also a chef) visit. He recently moved back from Austin, TX where he worked in upscale restaurants. He mentioned how restaurants there source directly from local farms and how customers only patron restaurants that buy from certain farms. He was on a mission to find local farms that he could source from for a new business he is starting. So, we showed him around and talked about our principles for land stewardship, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility. Not long into the visit he was sold. I'll tell you more about Kyle soon.

Last thing - did you hear the latest from the CDC regarding obesity and diabetis? Mississippi maintained the #2 spot for the highest percent of residents who are overweight and or have diabetes. Unfortunately, the percent increased from 36 to 38% this past year.

Beth & I thank you for supporting local (integrity) regenerative food sources to create a food system that is better for the animals welfare, better for regenerating the land and better for a healthy community. That is the only way to make a positive impact.

Customer Feedback- "Super friendly and easy pick up, and Ben's beef is very tasty. Highly recommended!. S Burton

Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
― Hippocrates

Thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm.
Ben & Beth