Eckert's Pick-Your-Own

I'm reluctant to post this, because I don't want people stealing my berries. But Eckert's family farm in Belville, IL is open for strawberry picking season this week, so get there if you want some fresh strawberries straight from the bush. Be sure to check before driving out to make sure they have strawberries still available. If you miss the strawberries, peaches are coming at the end of the month.

Greenwood Farms

I took a day trip today out to Greenwood Farms, a small family farm near Rolla, Missouri (about 2 hours southwest of St. Louis). They raise sheep (above), Jersey dairy cows (below), beef cattle (bottom), and pigs. Their Amish neighbor raises chickens for them also. They raise their animals mostly on grass, with a little extra grain supplements (for the dairy cows to make sure they get enough nutrients for producing milk.) They bottle-feed calves and lambs when necessary.
If you are looking for a meat provider that values keeping his animals healthy and well-cared-for, then this is the place to go. They were very happy to answer any questions we had about how they raise their animals. They will be selling their meat and raw milk in person at the Tower Grove Farmers' Market this summer at very reasonable prices. Also, they sell their meat to a few restaurants in town; Niche was the one they mentioned.

Fair Shares

Sarah Hale and Jamie Choler have started a company called Fair Shares which is a combined CSA system. In other words, they provide a variety of fresh local produce and meats from different local farms into one box for the shareholders. Learn more about it in this article from STLtoday.

article provided by Bryan

Burning Kumquat in action

I helped the burning kumquat with their handouts. They broke the earth for the first time this past Saturday. This isn't the final artwork they went with, but I am posting it for informational purposes.

Eggs as Nature intended

So I went to Colorado over my winter break and my brother brought us two kinds of eggs, the best eggs according to him that he could find at his grocery store (right) and eggs from his chickens on the farm he lives on. It's part of his job to let the chickens out at the crack of dawn and back in the evening. The color difference remarkable but the real litmus test is the taste. I personally could taste a difference, but I didn't have a preference. This might be because I was sick, or because I am so used to eating eggs from chickens that aren't getting the proper treatment. My dad and brother said the farm eggs were better. I suggest taste testing for yourself sometime. I really like the eggs I have bought at the Soulard farmer's market, which I assume are from local family farms.