Petit Jean Farm
Weekly Farm Newsletter
May 11, 2009
Dear Folks,
Spring is here, and the land is flowing with milk and honey. There are lots of adorable lambs in the field, butting their mothers with their tiny heads to get the ewes to let down more milk. This instinctive action works well for the majority of the lambs who are out in the pasture. It does not work so well for the few lambs we have had to bring in to bottle feed. These “orphans” don’t know that slamming their foreheads into the bottle is not going to produce more milk. If anything, it may just knock the bottle out of the hands holding it. This spring, Carrie has developed a new technique for feeding a few of the bottle babies – off bottle! She fills a dish with warmed milk and sets the dish down in front of a lamb. Then she releases the lamb and it’s out of her arms like a race horse through the gate! It bolts for the dish, sticks its nose down, and slurps up the milk! Yum, yum, yum. What a milk moustache.
The bees are off to a good start, too, doing their part in the milk and honey flow. Of course, the rain just keeps flowing too, and the bees and sheep would be better off with more sunny days. All this water does make the grass grow, though. Petit Jean Mountain is looking like a lush rain forest.
The grass gets greener and higher, which is great for the fields full of critters there to eat it. The pasture is full of meat sheep and market steers, and the woods are full of growing pigs. Get your name on one now, so you don’t miss out come freezer time.
To buy delicious, high quality meat for a fraction of retail cost, your best option is ordering by halves and quarters. We have half and quarter options for beef, pork, and lamb. Watch for fliers with more details, or give us a call if you are interested.
Don’t forget to place your orders by noon on Thursday, May 14, for delivery on Friday, May 15 or Saturday, May 16. You can place your order by calling 501-727-5659, e’mailing ed@gatewayfarm-ar.com, or going online. You can also view our latest available inventory by visiting www.petitjeanfarm.com/farminventory.html. Ordering ahead continues to be the most efficient way of getting what you need, even if you are planning to browse at the farmers’ market. You can always pick up extra once you get there!
We look forward to seeing you this week, rain or shine!
Your Petit Jean Farmers
Petit Jean Farm
1039 Winrock Drive
Morrilton, AR 72110
501-727-5659
www.petitjeanfarm.com
