Restock Dates: Please see our Farm Blog where we post our weekly newsletter for the latest updates

Newsletter 2016 1114

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

December 4, 2016

Upcoming Order Deadlines

Madison:

Order by Sunday, November 13, 2016

Pickup Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Hattiesburg & Hattiesburg Hwy 98 West

Order by Monday, November 14, 2016

Pickup Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Biloxi & Gulfport

Order by Monday November 14, 2016

Pickup Thursday, November 17, 2016

We believe in transparency, as there’s no better education about what it
is we do, how we do it and why, than an honest and straightforward conversation
about any aspect of our farm!

Veterans Day Sale: Thank you for your strong support
of our Veterans Day Sale. Only 1-day left to order for this weeks Pickup. We
are offering a $25 savings on our 25# Beef Variety Share regularly priced at
$205, now $180. Order now for pickup per the above schedule.

Those familiar with our Blog know we strongly support Buy Local as the best way to provide the highest quality food for your family as well as regenerate our communities, land, and families. It is a shame that Mississippi imports $8.5 billion in food per year while many rural communities struggle to exist. What we need is many more small family farms doing what we do. It can be done!

My friends at Seven Sons in IN tell the story how back in the 1990's their farm was corn and CAFO Pigs and barely supported one family. Today, it is a highly diverse family farm with direct market reach that includes over 4,000 customers. And, at last count, their pastured eggs are sold into 21 retail grocery stores. Their farm now supports eleven (11) families.

Our culture in South Mississippi is changing! More and more folks are switching to buying from local farmers. Our farms practice of leveraging the internet combined with local pickup makes it simple and convenient to buy local. Since we started offering local pickup in August our business has increased each month. And, customer feedback has been outstanding -  Satisfied customers share our farm with their family & friends. 

Quick update on availability:

Chicken - sold out till Spring. USDA only allows small farms to raise 1,000 per year.

Beef - Custom Process halves with be available late Spring

         - Other offerings are in stock

Pork - Custom Process wholes/ halves will be available about March 2017

         - Half Bundle and 25# Variety Share will be available for the Dec Pickup Schedule

Lastly, as you probably know, MS and several other Southern States are in a Severe Drought. Some of my cool season grasses have died from lack of water and will have to be replanted once we get a good rain. So, please join me in prayer that God will send some rain soon.

Thank you for supporting our local farm.

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!!!