Hello Montague folks!

Our spring season CSA farm shares start Friday March 31st, with every other week pick ups through mid-May! All certified organic produce from our farm.

SIGN UP ONLINE HERE:
http://redfirefarm.com/CSA/winterCSAform.html

Please sign up by Friday March 24 to be set for the first pickup.

What's in a Spring Share?

• Spring Greens from our outdoor tunnels
• Winter vegetables
• Spring-dug Parsnips
• Green Garlic
• Asparagus
• and more seasonal delicacies

Shares cost $135 for the season, which is $33.75 for each of 4 pickups.

You can also add-on Pasture-raised Eggs from chickens who eat certified organic grain.
Hooray!

Pick up at Red Fire Farm on Meadow Road
Fridays, 2-6pm
172 Meadow Road, Montague, MA.

Please call us at the farm, 413-467-7645, if you have any questions.

Thank you for reading and supporting local agriculture!

~Sarah and Ryan Voiland and the Red Fire Farm crew
 

Members of the Wendell Community have organized this event to support Diemand Farm and give a show of solidarity against Referendum Question 3.
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>
> Referendum Question # 3 and Diemand Farm
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> This bill affects Diemand Farm because of one requirement that is written into the cage specifications and how it is interpreted when it is made a law. Our cages fit the size that they are calling for except where it says that the chickens must be able to "fully spread both wings without touching the side of the enclosure."
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> Chickens do not spread their wings side to side like eagles. They spread them to the back one at a time. Our chickens are one per cage and can stand and move around. They measure 12" by 18" by 18". A few years ago we were inspected by MSPCA and ASPCA and were told that our hens are treated humanely. Our cages are of a size that has been approved of in this state and others. A few years ago HSUS published a list that named Massachusetts as the second best state in treatment of its animals.
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> Our hens are caged, but clean, healthy and safe from dangers like predators, stampeding and cannibalism, they live in clean air. Many do not realize that big, cage free egg operations crowd hens onto vast indoor laying floors that may get deep in droppings because cleaning is difficult. Ammonia builds up in the air. Disease can be more readily transmitted.
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> The cost to keep our current egg production amounts and convert to cage free would be in excess of $250,000. Given that extent of that investment, we would have to be sure that the next generation of Diemands would be interested in continuing the egg business and at this time that is not a certainty. So the downsizing of the egg portion of the business seems to be our only option at this time. We will remodel one barn and reduce our flock from 3000 to 500 and stop wholesaling eggs. We will still carry all our meat birds and sell all of our prepared products. You will still be able come to the farm to get your eggs.
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> Another thing to be aware of is that this bill would prohibit the import of eggs or meat produced by caged animals. There are not enough free-range chickens in MA to supply the millions of eggs purchased by consumers. This would lead to a price increase and probably a shortage of eggs.
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> Massachusetts does not have a problem with factory farms, that is why HSUS has gotten the bill on the ballot. And there isn't push back because we are the only farm could possibly effect. We do not in any way condone the cruel treatment of animals but feel that this bill isn't needed in Massachusetts.
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> https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ufMOWONaX6I
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> One more thing. There is a video on youtube that will give you a look at our operations. The link is above or you can google Diemand Farm response to HSUS.
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> I hope this answers your question and thank you for your thoughtful inquiry.
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> The Diemand Farm Family
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> Copyright © 2016 Diemand Farm Store, All rights reserved.
> You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website, Facebook page, or signed up at our store or local event.
>
> Our mailing address is:
> Diemand Farm Store
> 126 Mormon Hollow Rd
> Wendell, MA 01379
 

I have about one hundred one two and three year old chickens for sale here at the farm and asking five dollars each . Most are red and black sex links along with some other breeds also which lay nice big eggs so if interested call me at 1-413-522-3910 .
 

Hello neighbors! We're happy to let you know that our pasture-raised mild mutton will be ready by the end of January.

We raise happy, healthy animals with no antibiotics, no parasite medications, and no grain.

Grass-fed-only on our organic, re-mineralized pastures during the summer with locally sourced hay in the winter. This is some of the cleanest lamb/mutton you can buy.

Whole and half orders are $6/lb. Individual cuts are $8/lb for roasts and ground, $12/lb loin chops. Organ meats including heart, kidneys, liver: $5/lb

WHOLE ORDERS INCLUDE:
2 - Whole, bone-in leg (5-7lb each)
2- Shoulder Roast (4-5 lb each)
2- Fore-Roast (3-5 lb each)
Loin Chops - 5 lb
Ground - 8 lb
Organs - 2 lb

HALF ORDERS INCLUDE:
1 - Whole, bone-in leg (5-7lb)
1 - Shoulder Roast (4-5 lb)
1 Fore-Roast (3-5 lb)
Loin Chops - 2 lb
Ground - 4 lb
Organs - 1 lb

Call us to order: 367-2281. We'll be glad to see you at the farm at 119 Old Sunderland Road in Montague Center. Appointments are necessary to pick up your orders.

Or email suzanne at brooksbendfarm dot com

Happy New Year to all!
Al Miller and Suzanne Webber
 

Hi Everybody,

In case you miss the Old Depot Gardens farm stand after it closes (still open through Nov 6th ish!), we have a way for you to get our vegetables this winter. We'll be having a CSA farm share pickup at our Montague farm location on Meadow Road. Here are the details!

Fall and Winter Farm Shares - local, organic vegetables
 
Pack your fridge and fill your bellies with fresh, local, and seasonal vegetables this fall and winter with our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm shares. All vegetables are local and certified-organic from Red Fire Farm.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER FARM SHARE 
Order Four hearty distributions of the season’s bounty. Pick-ups every other Thursday and Friday through November and December at volunteer run sites in Western MA and the Boston area. Shares start on Nov 7th and 8th. Fresh Organic Vegetables including winter squash, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, turnips, greens and more!
 
For more info, pick up locations, and to sign up visit: http://www.redfirefarm.com/CSA/join.html
 
DEEP WINTER FARM SHARE
Enjoy three months of local goodies and keep it local this winter! 6 hearty distributions of tasty winter vegetables like potatoes, shallots, carrots, spinach, salad greens, plus local products (think honey, maple syrup, flour). The share distributions are every other week starting January 10th, January through March of 2014.
Local Organic Egg Shares available too.

For pickup locations, more details on vegetable and egg shares, and to sign up for the season please visit www.redfirefarm.com. 

We also have BULK ORDER PRODUCE for home storage and parties. You can order for pickup - visit our bulk order page to see what's in season now: http://redfirefarm.c...kets/bulkorders.html

Red Fire Farm has been growing certified organic CSA shares for twelve years in Granby and Montague MA. Please call (413-467-7645) or email (thefarmers@redfirefarm.com) the farm with any questions you have.

Thank you for reading!

We look forward to sharing all our farm has to offer with you,
Sarah and Ryan Voiland

www.redfirefarm.com
 

Mik
"Farm taxes

I hear one of our local farmers may throw in the towel due to high taxes and an inability to keep up. Seems a shame that Montague, as a town, wouldn't structure the tax system so that the small family farmer could flourish."

A shame for sure, but not surprising. In the towns quest for the almighty buck, the little guy takes it in the backside.
 

We are looking for someone in town who might be willing to have two or three horses grazing on their land this Fall. This is part of a horse rescue project that is happening right here in Montague Center! If interested, or for questions, call Janet or George 367-2110 or respond here. You can get a glimpse of the project on Facebook (search Ledgewood Farm) or website Ledgewoodfarm.weebly.com.
 

Howdy,

My name is Devin Hickman. I live here in Montague center and am thinking about starting a micro-dairy selling 100% grass-fed organic raw cows milk here in Montague.
I am trying to gauge community interest in raw milk by conducting a small survey.

If you are interested in healthy, great tasting, raw milk from grass-fed pastured cows being available right here in Montague, please take this small survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MTGQSMM

The survey is short, you don't need to register to take the survey, its free, and no demographic or personal information is required. The information will help me to figure is a micro dairy is a good fit here in Montague.

Thanks,

- Devin :)
 

Spring Fling
Open House and Afternoon Tea
for Mothers, and Others :)

Open Greenhouse Plant Sale of herbs, flowers, and vegetables to enjoy all season long. Get any plants you'd like to garden with, make a planter if you'd like. Great fun, with a bit of afternoon tea to enjoy alongside.

Wagon and Walking Tours of the farm.

Afternoon Tea - a little tasty fortification for the day!

    Our Spring Fling event is open to everybody. The only part you need tickets for is Afternoon Tea - all else is free and open to the public.
    We're holding it in the afternoon on the day before Mothers' Day, at our greenhouse and farmland in Montague, at 184 Meadow Road. To get tickets for tea and find out more, please visit the Spring Fling page, http://redfirefarm.c...ayplantingfling.html. 
 
Mothers' Day Open House and Afternoon Tea 

Saturday, May 12th, 1-5pm
at the Montague greenhouse
184 Meadow Road, Montague, MA 
 
More reasons to come out:
     Another reason to come will be that it's our Kick-Off and Tree Planting for the Whole Farm Affordability Campaign! The folks from Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust will be here to meet, and explain how we're working to preserve the Montague farmland and infrastructure as an affordable farm in perpetuity.

    We're also taking Volunteers for the morning to help cleanup the old Blue Meadow Nursery display gardens - RSVP if you want to help us garden, details on the Spring Fling page.

Limited availability for Afternoon Tea tickets to the Spring Fling - please order early. Details about Spring Fling here, http://redfirefarm.c...ayplantingfling.html.
 

Hi everybody,

In case you are missing the Old Depot Gardens farm stand, we have a way for you to get our vegetables this winter. We'll be having a CSA farm share pickup at our new Montague farm location on Meadow Road. Here are the details below. Please give us a call at the farm if you have any questions, 413-467-7645.
Or email us at thefarmers@redfirefarm.com.


The Third Season of our
Locavore Deep Winter CSA

Eating locally can be a challenge in the wintry months. This year we’ll be storing away delicious root crops, cabbages, garlic and more, and sowing our greenhouses full with winter hardy greens to make it a little easier! Every two weeks in January, February and March we’ll bring things out to share with you! We’re partnering with the makers of some local products to incorporate them into the share as well, from Real Pickles sauerkraut to apples from local orchards. This year we’ll also have some frozen produce from the growing season!

Storage crops will make up roughly 1/3 of the value, greens another 1/3, and local products the last 1/3.

Vegetable shares are $250 for 6 distributions, every two weeks. Shares will be available on the Fridays of January 13th, 27th, February 10th, 24th, March 9th and 23rd.

Organic Egg Shares are also available for pickup at the same time.

Location for pickup: In Montague at the farm’s new packing barn cooler, shares ready after 1 pm on Fridays (172 Meadow Rd, Montague, MA).

For more details and to sign up for a share, please download our sign up form using this link:
http://redfirefarm.c...terCSASignUp2011.pdf

You can also find out more about our shares on the website, http://redfirefarm.com/CSA/join.html.

Thank you for reading! We wish you a great winter.

~Sarah and Ryan Voiland
Red Fire Farm