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Our Second Hen Hoop House Has Arrived!

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

December 10, 2019

First, here at Nature's Gourmet Farm we have so much to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving Season! - We hope you enjoyed your day with family and friends. Do you remember these key dates about Thanksgiving?

* November 11, 1620 the 102 Pilgrims landed in what would become Massachuetts
* November 1621 about 50 Pilgrims invited the Indians who helped them survive to a time of Feast
* 1789 President George Washington issued the first federal Thanksgiving proclamation
* 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a national Thanksgiving proclamation
* 1941 Congress passed a law establishing Thanksgiving as an official national holiday

Updates:
late last week I received word that our new hen hoop structure would be ready for pickup Monday, November 25th. So, I made a fast trip to Dundee, OH Monday morning. Mr. Yoder once again had a place for me to stay the night. Tuesday morning while I enjoyed a nice breakfast his sons loaded the metal into my cattle trailer. From there, I traveled to Seven Sons farm and Hen Gear to pickup the 20 new nest boxes. While there, I was able to discuss our plans as well as see all the updates to their farm since we last were there about three years ago.

I left Roanoke, IN about noon with about 830 miles between me and home. There was a storm forecasted to bring rain and wind gust up to 50 MPH. Well, the rain started about Indianapolis and did not stop until the AL state line. Nashville was a nightmare! Lots of wrecks everywhere. And, very slow moving traffic. Way more than what this MS country boy is use to.

I did stop in Tuscaloosa and caught about 4-hours sleep before completing the final three hours of the journey. Made it home OK and have a good start toward installation on the hoop. 1000
hens are due the first week of January!

Taking care of "the business" side of the farm is very important. In fact, that is probably the biggest reason for farm failures. I try to emphasize to folks that you cannot starve a profit in your business. You have to invest not only in the farm, but the business as well. And, you have to hire (or consult) with folks who can help you with areas that are not your strength. That is why we have a consultant who is guiding us through some of the changes I mentioned a few weeks ago. Stay tuned for more news as we start developing processes in December.

More from the blog

Tribute to Tess - our loyal farm dog

A Tribute to Tess- Thursday morning was a very sad time here on the farm. Without going into all the details, a tragic accident first thing Thursday morning involving our beloved Tess that caused her death a few minutes later. First thing in the morning she is typically at the back door waiting for one of us to come out so she can greet us. But, not this day. We are all very sad and heartbroken. Tess was such a joy and loving to all who knew her. It has been especially hard for our son Jared as he and Tess were best friends. Many of our customers who have been to our farm know she always greeted with a big smile and happy spirit.

Health vs. Economics is THE Battle

Health vs. Economics is THE Battle - or maybe health vs. priorities of the general public when you consider that in 2024 the Apple App Store generated $1.3 trillion in sales!!! Vicki, a repeat customer from the MS Gulf Coast, sent me a short 3 minute video from a Joe Rogan Podcast with RFK Jr. discussing pig farms in North Carolina and how the CAFO pig operations got started. NOTE that the big companies own the pigs – the farmers only own the debt and do the work (and take all the risk). Please watch the video here.

"Pasture Raised" Defined

The USDA has officially updated the definition of “pasture-raised” to require that animals spend the majority of their lives on rooted, vegetative pasture, distinguishing it from “free-range,” which only mandates outdoor access. This update became effective March 2025. Here at Nature’s Gourmet Farm that is how we raise our animals – whether it be cows, pigs, meat chickens, egg layers, or turkeys. Pasture raised is our management choice and reflects our stewardship ethos. Frankly, pasture raised is how God created them to be versus. in a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). CAFOs represent man’s inhumane wisdom!!!