As you celebrate Earth Day today, you may be wondering how you can live as sustainably as possible AND feed your family the highest quality protein. The truth is you are. I know cattle have had a bit of a PR crisis with the, now debunked, claim that they contribute more the greenhouse gases than, say, the transportation sector. If that seemed a little hard to believe, well, it’s because it was false. Sigh.
Unfortunately, the damage is done and cattle raisers are left to clean up the mess caused by shoddy research.
I’d like you, our customers, to understand what we do here on the farm to conserve and manage our land in a way that benefits our community and the environment. We want you to feel confident in your choice to support our family farm AND to continue eating beef!
Much of the land grazed by cattle is unsuitable for other uses, like farming, or lacks water resources for other types of development. Cattle are able to take forage and convert it into high quality, nourishing protein for human consumption. They feed the population while using land that is not otherwise useable by humans. They are able to upcycle plants that we would never eat into protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that have great benefit to us.
There is very little waste in cattle harvest. One of the things we love to talk about, especially with he school aged kid that visit the farm, is how many products cattle byproducts go in. If you wear leather shoes, throw and leather football, eat candy, shampoo your hair, or glue things together- you are dependent on cattle. It’s truly fascinating how little of each cow is wasted. I can’t say the same for the retired wind turbines piling up in landfills.
In addition to being critical to so many products human use, cattle support the ecosystem and habitats of many other animals. Without cattle, the land they are grazing would likely be developed and the habitats for those animals would be destroyed. Cattle improve life for humans, globally, but also for many other species.
Cattle raisers are stewards of the land and take the long approach to sustainability and land improvement.
Land is our legacy.
A 2021 study* found that 90% of cattle producers use at least one method of land conservation including, rotational grazing, water resource management, and adjusting stock numbers best manage land resources. Of course the farmer or rancher has a vested interest in caring for the land and livestock on it. For most, land is their largest asset and what they hope to pass down to future generations.
This is something we do well here on the farm. It takes years and years to restore pastures and lots of effort to maintain them but we have consistently made those investments. We graze rotationally so that there can always be a healthy root in the ground. On the crop side, we use subsurface irrigation on much of the farm- which allows us to target the crop with much less waste and were some of the first in our area to minimize tilling.
Grazing animals, like cattle and other ruminants, are also invaluable for brush control and wildfire management because they keep the excessive fuel for a wildfire grazed down. Cattle actually HELP to remove carbon from the atmosphere and as much as 30% of the world’s stored carbon is in held in land grazed by cattle in the US- equivalent to taking 6 billion cars off the road every year. That’s not something the “cow burp” folks remember to mention.
Animal agriculture is now found to account for under 4% of emissions globally and with the nutritional and environment contributions beef makes to our world, beef is well worth the cost.
Our cattle are birth to harvest within about a 15 mile radius. We don’t transport them to the panhandle to be finished, then elsewhere to butcher and back here. This helps us run efficiently but also to hire local families rather than outsource our feeding and butchering. Old Barn Butcher Co., is just a few miles away and our cattle stay on the farm their whole lives.
Local food systems support farmers, ranchers, families and the local economy. This way of feeding our community is much more stable and economical than relying on concentrated feed and packing operations located elsewhere. COVID taught us that we need to step back from reliance on consolidating our food systems in the name of efficiency. Eating as locally as possible is best for everyone!
*study conducted by Elanco Animal Health
]]>Christmas is such a special time of year on the farm. Things seem to slow down as compared to the busy growing seasons. I will say, though, that every single year I’m caught feeling behind with the gift buying.
We work hard to source fun experiences and outdoor adventures over the latest electronic gadgets but please know, our kids are asking for the same things yours are! We just try hard to keep them outside!
Reading back through last year’s list, I stand by those gifts, and you may see some familiar items here but they are just too good to forget about.
You should also know that we are not sponsored in any way (dang it) and we get absolutely nothing from these recommendations other than knowing that we may have helped make your gifting a little bit easier.
For Him
We will start with the man in your life. John never asks for anything and I’m not sure if that’s what makes it hard to shop for him. This is how you end up with socks and underwear in your stocking! But here are a few he will be unwrapping this year.
Evridge Farms Steak Box- Lots of time at the Farmer’s Market has led me to believe that men love a great ribeye or porterhouse steak. The thicker the better. We have a few different options and price points and I’m sure your father, husband, in-laws would love a great steak. If you aren’t sure, the gift card is great. It really is the perfect gift for the hard to shop for guy.
Wireless Meat Probe - For the man who is into grilling and all things smoked, we love the ThermaPro Meat Probe. There are several options that are popular this year for a wireless meat probe but this one is a little more affordable and we trust the brand.
Duluth underwear and socks - John would never spend extra money on great underwear and socks so it makes these a great gift. They were included in our gift guide last year but he loves them so they made the cut again.
Moore Maker Knives - Every man needs a great pocket knife. John has had several of these but I love them for boys of all ages. They come in all colors and materials and come from Matador, Texas- a farming and ranching community- with lots of experience in making the best work tools. They seem to stay sold out of lots of knives on the website but I easily found them through several online vendors..one being Big Bend Saddlery. I could find lots of treasures there!
Good binoculars - We use these all of the time for hiking, kayaking, and working on the farm. It’s amazing how often we need them! I love a compact pair and case and this one is half off on Amazon right now! These are great for your outdoorsman.
Jerky & Snack Sticks - Who doesn’t love a snack? We have a fun variety of flavors and these make great gifts and stocking stuffers. Perfect for your holiday travel.
For Her
Cocktail Farm Club Membership- Simple Goodness sisters are farm living sisters that make cocktail mixers out of herbs, flowers, and fruit- many that they grow on the Simple Goodness Farm. Members receive a box every other month and it includes garnishes, syrups, and recipe cards to make a variety of cocktails or mocktails. It’s like our farm club but for cocktails! If you aren’t up for the recurring subscription, some flavors we like are Apple Pie and Berry Sage. Check out the membership!
Weekend Getaway - This year has brought so much adventure for us and we are still huge supporters of any spot on Explore Ranches pages. They are all so unique and lovely. The closest to us, the Chandler Ranch, is heaven on Earth and comes with a chef for your stay and all kinds of excitement from hiking to kayaking or fishing. A favorite of mine this year was a weekend trip to Basecamp Terlingua with a stay in the tipis or bubbles (don’t worry, there is a coffeemaker) and a soak in the hot springs at Big Bend. It was one of the best weekends of the year.
Good pajamas - I recently ordered a pair of these pajama pants from Pact. They are so comfy I could live in them. They are very light, so if you are planning for colder weather, go for the flannel. Pact uses all sustainable and organic cotton.
Heirloom linens - I’ve said this one before, but I covet nice sheets like Grandma would have had. We have Redland Cotton sheets on every bed in this house. They have that weighty, ageless texture and I’m obviously obsessed with them. They are a little pricey, admittedly, but they are milled from US grown cotton in the US. That’s not easy to find anymore! Totally worth it.
Cast Iron Cookware - A good, seasoned cast iron is a must have in any kitchen. Last year, I got a pan by Smithey Ironware and this year, their large dutch oven in on my list. I use a dutch oven all of the time and my enameled ones have all started to chip into the food. That’s not gonna work! I’m really looking forward to it. These are also heirloom quality and can be engraved with her name or initials. What a great gift!
Unique Jewelry- We absolutely love the pieces that come out of Lola & Tae- a handmade jewelry maker based in West Texas. She is always on trend and has something at every price point. You could definitely impress your wife, daughter, and mother in one website visit! It’s great stuff. My other go to is turquoise. You can’t go wrong with Heritage Style if the women in your life are turquoise girls.
For Kids
Carhartt bags - The guys got these for Christmas last year and they are surprisingly roomy. You could have them personalized at your local embroidery shop. They are so nice and heavy duty, I steal them all of the time when we are just leaving town for the weekend. They have just been perfect.
Outdoor games - Like all of you, we want to encourage as much outdoor fun as we can for our kids (and ourselves). We’ve always played capture the flag but sometimes, the rules can be a little fluid. This set glows in the dark and marks a clear boundary so you always know when you cross into enemy territory. We also love kickball and bocce ball. We’ve recently started trying to play spikeball. We all need more practice but that makes it more fun. Finally, a favorite when we have other kids over is laser tag with these guns. It keeps everyone running and giggling for hours.
Camping Tent - We’ve used these in the living room, yard and on actual camping trips. The guys will set them up and hang out when they have friends over. The pop-up types are so easy and there aren’t a bunch of parts to lose. I will say, I’m not the best at folding them but the rest of the family is able after watching some You Tube videos on it.
Pottery Classes - We have a young artist in the family and, honestly, we spend so much time working on athletics in our family and community that it feels important to refocus and spend time doing other things that we love, also. He truly his gifted and enjoys it so it will be so much fun for him to relax and learn about clay and pottery. There are a couple of options in our area but we are signing up for ArtQuest classes. I’d love to do this with a couple of girlfriends, too.
Soldering Kit - Hear me out. Last year we told you about our leatherworking kit. It was a really fun, artsy type project and the kids love it. I heard back from some of you that your grandkids loved learning and stamping designs. Well, this year we are learning to solder. I had no idea this was even out there until my dad sent the boys a kit and an electronic soldering iron. It is so cool and teaches them about electronic circuits and is a great little intro to welding. It’s a very cool STEM project that also build fine motor skills. You will need a little handheld soldering iron like this one and any one of these kits. We came across some that are Christmas trees with lights, cubes and towers. Very cool!
3D Pen- Our kids have been through a few of these and are still loving them. They can make all kinds of fun projects and these are pretty affordable.
We hope this holiday season brings lots of joy to you and yours and that this list makes your gifting a little better. Merry Christmas!
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Things are already busy in the seed starting department here. I’ve got babies going in all shapes and sizes- all of the ingredients for our bouquets this spring and summer. I wish I could grow enough for everyone that wants one but it’s just not possible. I can, however, help you to grow your own! Read on for my basic guide to growing for your own vase (or mason jar) this year.
To make a great bouquet for your table you will need: focal flowers, greenery, and texture.
The varieties I’ve chosen to include here will be relatively easy and fuss free in most zones. These seeds, for the most part should not be planted outside until after all danger of frost has passed. Here in West Texas, that’s April 15, or as most old-timers will tell you, after Easter. Just because your local box store has something set out does not mean that it will work in your climate or that it’s time to plant it.
There are lots of other flowers here on the farm but if I was growing a small cutting garden there are my must-haves.
Focal Flowers- Zinnia, Sunflowers, Cosmos
The focal flowers are the stars of the show. In our bouquets, we may have 5-10 stems of these. For us they include:
Zinnia- there are so many varieties but I like Benary’s Giant, Oklahoma series and even the Cactus.
Sunflowers- Be sure to source a pollen free variety if they are for cutting. (I like pro cuts)
Cosmos- These are dainty and delicate. They are cut and come again. I shoot for double varieties.
Greenery or Filler- Herbs & Branches
This part might sound boring but your choices here can add some much interest. We love to use:
Basil (lemon and cinnamon)
Dill
Use whatever perennials and even tree branches you have laying around and don’t be afraid to try something different. We often use asparagus greens and people love them!
Texture- Something interesting
Texture is sometimes the same thing as filler. These flowers add interest to your vase.
Ammi
Queen Anne’s Lace
Gomphrena – these will bloom throughout the summer. I love the basic purple but have also tried the red and bright pink varieties. We love them all. They add so much fun to a vase and last forever!
These can all be started indoors and moved out but I'd highly recommend waiting until the second week of April and just spreading them around in the soil.
Keep them nice and moist until you start seeing green and then water regularly.
I can't wait to see what you do!
Happy Growing!
Here, we choose not to participate in all of that. We just do it ourselves. We aren't dependent on the global supply chain or giant meat packers.
Our beef is raised here, fed here with grains we grow or source from neighbors, and harvested here. Then, we get it right to your door- to your table.
Here's how the process usually works and how we do things differently.
]]>Lately, it seems like struggles in the food supply chain have been all over the news. Understandably, people are worried. Worried about costs. Worried about access. Worried about being able to provide healthy meals for their families.
We hear you. We know. It’s scary to feel like something so basic as access to food is out of your control. Farmers and ranchers are struggling with the rising costs of feed, the outrageous cost of fuel to move that feed and livestock from place to place, shortages of labor and issues with packing houses.
The consolidation of our industry into a few large packers where a tremendous amount of our nation’s beef supply is processed, leaves us at the mercy of a small group of people. Currently the “big 4” packers in our country control 85% of production. A fire in 2019, at one of these packing houses actually reduced beef supply by 6%. The pandemic has further exposed the crumbling foundation of our system.
Sometimes bigger, cheaper, and faster is just not BETTER.
You may have read articles, I’ve certainly heard straight from the source, about how beef prices are so high but somehow, ranchers are not seeing any of that.
Today’s headline read, “U.S. Beef Prices are Set to Rise Further as Ranchers’ Cost Soar.”
Here’s How it Works
Some of you probably know all of this but for those that don’t, let me explain how the process typically works. Ranchers will breed cattle and the calves will stay out on the ranch, grazing on pasture until they are old enough to be sold to a feed lot. Some of these feed lots hold and feed 50,000 plus head. At that point, the rancher is out of the process and is likely expecting his next calf crop to start the loop again.
The feedlots, are obviously the most efficient and effective way to get cattle ready for harvest. Don’t be fooled, there are “grass fed” feedlots as well. They just offer different feed. That’s a story for another day. The lots typically have a nutritionist, vets, and very able caretakers. With the ability to care for and feed thousands of cattle at more economic prices, the public can save money with this method. When we first started selling beef directly to consumers, we used a feedlot in the panhandle to finish for us. They did an amazing job. Really. The beef quality was very good. We’ll come back to this topic but long story short, we don’t truck our animals up to the panhandle anymore.
When they are ready for harvest, the cattle are sent to a packing plant where they are killed and processed. Then, the beef is packaged and trucked back out to whatever restaurant or grocery store they end up at. That’s where the consumer comes in.
So, you can see, there are lots of steps-lots of hands in the bucket between the rancher and your family's Taco Tuesday at the dinner table. Changes in fuel affect the cost of growing corn, which then affects the cost of feeding animals and transporting them. So that makes beef more expensive. To add to that, the consolidation of our food system means that one of four packing houses can shut down and greatly affect the market. Less supply = higher prices. Today, even the conflict in Ukraine is affecting worldwide grain prices - grains that are used to feed cattle (and people). Drought in parts of the world, certainly here in West Texas, mean that ranchers may be more likely to sell off parts of their herd due to lack of grass.
There are factors, here, out of our control. But you know what? There are plenty of ways that farmers and ranchers can take back control of the beef supply. Local food systems are healthier for communities and the economy. This leads me to where we are now. How do we choose to deal with the frustrating situation with higher input costs and shortages? How do we deal with the low price paid to ranchers and feeling like we are at the mercy of a huge, consolidated food system controlled by a few people?
Simple. Choose not to participate in that. We choose to do it ourselves, the hard way. Sometimes the hard way is better for everyone. In this case, that’s proven to be true. So, our calves stay here. They graze our pastures and we wait to wean them until the most beneficial time for mom and calf. After about a year, they begin to eat a mixture of grains, hay and essential minerals- which we grow ourselves or source locally from other farmers. We work with a nutritionist to be sure they get every single thing they need to turn into nourishing beef for your family.
Choose Local Foods
We are in a sort of unique position here on the farm. We already grow the things we need to feed our beef. These glitches in the supply chain just do not apply to us. That’s by design. We took control back.
They are under our care until the day they head to the butcher.
The butcher. That’s another piece of the puzzle. Our world needs more local butchers. Can you imagine eating locally raised meats that you picked up from your local butcher? Ah..the way things used to be before we chose cheaper and faster. There are still plenty of butcher shops but lots of them are shipping in meats from a packing house because the system just isn’t set up for “local” anymore. I would challenge you to ask your butcher (or even the grocery store meat counter) where the beef under his counter came from. Ask him or her where it was raised and finished. I’d be interested to hear the answers.
After a long, hard year our partners at Old Barn Butcher are on the verge of opening a local USDA inspected processing plant. You can imagine the red tap and attention to detail required to get a plant up and running. This week we were able to test out our very own jerky flavors and the possibilities are just endless.
This has been a huge project and our partners in it have shown how scrappy and hard working they are. We could have just decided to be happy scrambling for dates and making do with driving hours and hours to get our beef processed but, again, we chose the hard path. But it’s the right path.
There’s nothing wrong with grocery store beef. It’s not bad for you. If you aren’t interested in where and how your food was raised, that’s okay. I’m just saying that the system is not healthy for our country. Where possible, local food systems are better for everyone involved. If you are interested to know how and where your food is grown or raised, you are my people.
Your choice to support us really does make an impact. It helps us to continue to expand and grow access to local foods. It stabilizes our local food system so that we aren’t so reliant on the outside factors. It helps us to take back control. There's still much work to be done.
For now, though, if you want to support local beef and help to build back our local food systems, we've got you!
It seems like everyone is looking for gifts that get their kids outside. I am always on the lookout for gifts that will plug them into the world around them. I’ve put together a few of our favorites from the last few years to help give you some ideas. I’m always curious what other people are loving, so if you have some suggestions, please comment with them. These are all actual things that we want or own, and we are not paid by any of these companies (although, that would be NICE)
Literati Book Club This has been the most fun. For around $10 a month, you receive 5 curated books. Levi tends to love the graphic novels and puzzle books while Ben likes the science or mystery books. The boxes are age appropriate and we've been introduced to some great authors that we may not have seen otherwise. We have LOVED it.
Kayaks This year our kids are getting kayaks, paddles, life jackets, mesh trash bags and also a small whistle and flashlight. It's really like a kayaking kit. Kayaks can be expensive but we ordered these little ones from Amazon and they are easy to maneuver and will last until they both top 100 lbs.
Leather Working Kit We hosted a field trip this year about all of the uses for beef and it's byproducts. One of the stations was leatherworking and the kids all loved it. These kits are in the $40-$50 range and come with lots of fun tools and leather pieces to learn on. Levi is getting one this year.
Metal Detector Hear me out. I'm laughing because I know this sounds a little silly but a metal detector will keep your kids entertained and having adventure outside. There are definitely models for kids that are a little less expensive but ours kids are older elementary, so we splurged on this one. It retails for about $70 so not too bad. Just be sure they are clear on if its okay to dig holes in your yard!
John is so easy to buy for because he loves everything and is so laid back. Here are some things that he's into this year or has loved.
West Texas Grown Beef- Obviously, we have to include our gift boxes. We have a variety of sized and price points and who doesn't love fresh beef shipped right to their door?? I'm a big fan of John's Favorites box. It's a great seller with the men at any farmer's market.
Nice Socks & Unders- As funny as it is, one of my approaches to gift giving is to get him something nice that he would never get for himself. Our farmer would never spend money on nice underwear but before he knew these cost a little more than his standard brand, he asked me to order him 20 pairs. He's definitely getting a few. Honestly anything from Duluth Trading is great quality and he's a big fan.
Dri Duck coat- This coat is looks similar to other chore coats but is just a little bit nicer. He's loved the Rambler. The weight and quality of it are perfect.
Custom Dominoes- Everyone loves to sit around and play some dominoes. We have these from Esty that have our brand on them but you can customize them however you'd like. They come in an engraved box for around $60.
Guys Trip We have loved looking through the ranches and getaways that are available through Explore Ranches. There are lots of locations and activities to choose from. This one could be a great family escape! We have our sights set on Chandler Ranch out near Sheffield, TX but some of the far West Texas ranches look amazing, too.
Massage Gun- These massage guns can get hard to reach spots and really work. We were skeptical at first, but its pretty amazing how well it gets those knots in your back. We didn't spring for the much more expensive TheraGun brand but did order this one from Amazon and it's worked great for $140.
2022 Friend of the Farm Flower Subscription- this year we are offering multiple options on our season long fresh flower subscriptions. A subscription paired with one of our custom handmade pottery pieces would be perfect. It's truly the gift that keeps giving all season long.
Evridge Farms Gift Card- Let her choose between steak and ground beef, flowers, t-shirts, caps, or a class on arranging with field grown flowers this spring. Our gifts cards are handy for the woman who loves farm grown food and flowers.
Book of the Month Club - A book club is a great way to keep up with the latest releases. If she loves to read, this keeps it fun and exciting at a low cost of around $15-$20/ month.
Lola & Tae Jewelry- a local to West Texas, Amanda at Lola & Tae, stays right on trend with her handmade jewelry. It's always fun and well made. She has great pieces at all different prices. We literally want it all.
Los Nopales Wines- another local to West Texas, the winery is located near Sterling City, TX. The wines have been delicious and we've really enjoyed watching her build her winery.
Turquoise Jewelry- my favorite online stop for turquoise is Heritage Style. I absolutely love collecting new pieces. This is a safe choice for John so I can usually count on getting some earring at least.
Lets Make Art- This is a watercolor project subscription. We ordered this for Levi but I've taken it over. I've really enjoyed learning the different techniques and have even improved just a tiny bit.
Please know that our kids definitely ask for whatever new gaming system is being pushed out. We just work really hard to find other things for them to enjoy. If they do end up with games, they have to pay for them with other money. And sometimes, they do. That's okay. Please add your ideas to the comments...we are all desperate for fun, different ideas. Thank you all for being part of this community!
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We have a little side business that actually does land restoration, mesquite clearing, and the like so it was an easy process to get started. Fast, no, but we did know how to start. Along with the Natural Resource Conservation Service we began clearing out the mesquite and tarbush, raked it into piles and leveled the ground. This process took a year of solid work.
After the land was cleared and leveled, the next move is to work with experts and determine a seed mix of native grasses and forages. It takes lots of time and extra water but over the course of a year, the grasses slowly began to establish.
While we waited on the grass to establish we worked to building fencing and add water troughs. Just this week, we were able to turn cows into these pastures for the first time. The grass is shoulder high and thick. These young heifers will grow our herd by 80 and they are as happy as can be to be roaming around on these pastures. It's truly a dream come true.
If you are wondering if this is possible where you are, it most likely is. There is great funding assistance available to you from the NRCS and we are happy to help you to find the right people to talk to. It would be amazing to see our region back in grass and able to sustain more livestock to support our local food systems and we are here to help guide you.
]]>It started as a side project, we wanted to diversify our cotton and grain farm with some cattle. We had plenty of pasture and had recently added more. We thought cattle would be a fun family project.
It didn't take long for us to decide we loved it. Well, John and I loved it. Our teenage daughter and elementary aged sons weren't always excited to be up in freezing weather on a Saturday morning working calves or penning yearlings. Secretly, they do love it.
Enter: Akaushi Bulls
We quickly learned the value in crossing our Angus cows with Wagyu or Akaushi bulls. We loved the marbling and higher nutritional value of the fat found in these animals. Using these bulls has greatly increased the percentage of our beef that grades prime and we are very proud of the flavor and tenderness. Crossing these breeds was our first step toward the highest quality beef we can produce.
Pasture Restoration
Our cattle spend the majority of their lives out on pasture. However, in West Texas grass is often blocked out by scrub including water gulping mesquite and tarbush along with other invasive species. We have cleared thousands of acres and worked with the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) to seed in native grasses and forbs. Like most work in farming and ranching, we are playing the long game. It takes a while, in our climate, for grass to get established but our cattle will enjoy a steady supply of native pasture grass.
Birth to Harvest
Initially, we were so glad to find a lot that could professionally finish our cattle on an all natural ration. They do a fantastic job and are certainly experts. They produce some of the best beef in our state and beyond. After a few months of this, the dream of finishing our own cattle on crops that we grow just wouldn't go away. We knew that we could work with a cattle nutritionist and put together a great, local ration that would allow us to oversee every single step of the process. We now are keeping every calf on the farm until it's time for harvest. We feed every day and know every ingredient that goes into it.
Old Barn Butcher Co.- the last piece of the puzzle
Over the last several years, we have taken in every single piece of our beef production. Just one bit remained- processing. With the covid virus and other food supply challenges, processing plants have been overwhelmed. Our food system had become very centralized which is definitely not the best system for our consumers or producers. It may have made beef very cheap but at the price of local communities and stability in the system. We struggled to get in to processors with the right inspection levels and at the right time. Then we struggled with quality and consistency of the products we were getting back. They say the only way to truly be sure something is done right is to do it yourself. So, that’s what we did. In partnership with our neighbors and friends, we’ve started construction on our own processing facility. It’s set to open at the very end of 2021 or early 2022. With our own processing facility we will be able supervise and control the quality of our beef. There’s nothing harder than spending 2 ½ years from breeding to finishing on a calf and for something to go wrong with processing. It’s such a heartbreaking waste of life and resources.
So, our hope is that the new facility will be a blessing to our community and our neighboring ranchers who will now have a more reliable place to take animals for processing in the most humane way possible. We hope that we provide even more jobs through the butcher company but also that it will be a local food source in our very rural community.
Well-Raised Beef
With the butcher company, the last piece of our puzzle will be in place. We know that we are the family that bred and cared for that beef every single step of the way. We know they are raised well and their lives are ended in the most humane way possible and that the beef we provide to families provides the best possible nourishment and quality.
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I always want to be a resource to you- so I thought I’d share with you my favorite things to plant each fall for some of our favorite and most popular blooms. This list is not and exhaustive list of what you can grow but it does include my favorites (and that means they are probably easy, also).
What to Direct Seed this fall??
These are probably the easiest to grow if you don’t have time and energy to mess with starting seeds indoors or buying transplants. “Direct seed” means that you just plant them as seeds in the ground. Read the package carefully because some seeds sit on top of the ground because they need light to germinate and some need to go into the soil.
Larkspur
Bachelor Buttons
Bells of Ireland
Bupleurum
Nigella or Love in a Mist
Iceland Poppies
What to start indoors in trays or buy as a transplant?
Snapdragons
Carnations or any type of dianthus
Rudbeckia or black eyed Susan
Yarrow
Lisianthus
Feverfew
Statice
Fall is also the best time to plant roses and most fruit trees, both of which I like to have around. Be sure and get ones that are adapted to your zone. Our zone in West Texas is Zone 8A.
Bulbs and Corms
I don’t grow as many tulips or daffodils as I used to. I love them for my own gardens but as a cut flower, a short, hot spell in February can force them to bloom regardless of how tall they are, which makes bouquet making challenging. However, now is the time to order and get those in if you like them.
I always order a ton for my own front beds and certainly have a few that continue to come back each year. There are several that will ship in early spring and arrive “pre-chilled” so that you don’t have wonder if they got enough cold to bloom nicely. Certainly the winter of 2020 provided us Texans with plenty of cold!
I do continue to try ranunclus corms. Some years they are glorious and some years, not so much. This is the time to get that done if you are feeling adventurous.
If you are truly interested in cutting from your garden for arranging or just bringing inside for your own table, be sure to include plenty of green or other interesting textures with your flowers. Some of my early spring favorites are bupleurum and ammi. In the summer I primarily use basil and mint as filler but I’m always looking for more variety.
My favorite source for flower seeds is Johnny’s Selected Seeds but I also try and shop the more rare seed shops online to have something unique.
Happy growing, friends!
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My grandmother and mother grew all of the old timey blooms- zinnias, bachelor buttons, hollyhocks, gomphrena. So, that’s really how this whole thing started. I can’t help but smile at the beds full of hollyhocks in front of my house.
Flowers make me happy. It’s simple enough. I love sharing them with others.- no one is ever upset to receive flowers! I wanted to share some of the resources that I love and used to learn how to get going scaling my flowers.
It’s truly a journey but I hope this helps you whether you have a tiny little plot to play around in or you are considering going all out! Don’t be afraid to fail. It happens. Honestly, it happens a lot around here. That’s okay. We win some and lose some but it’s so fun to see the progress and share the beauty with people around us. Grow on!
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