Grassfed Beef Available from Shamrock Acres (aka Garden Delights)!

This just in from one of our awesome local farmers, Erin Harwood...


Hi everyone-


We are once again offering our delicious grass fed beef, and we are contacting you because you have indicated an interest in possibly buying some from us.  They steers are currently grazing on our pasture here at the farm in Brush Prairie, and will be harvested within the next couple of weeks.  They have enjoyed a good life, with farm friends, tasty treats from the garden, and some warm hay and alfalfa pellets during the winter months.  They are Holstein dairy steers who came from a local dairy and they have not been given antibiotics or hormones.


We anticipate that the steers we are offering for sale will weigh approximately 750 pounds.  Please note that we are over estimating a bit, just to be on the safe side.  Below is the breakdown of costs:


Chewbacca and Han Solo (the steers): anticipated weight of 750 lbs. x $2.00 lbs + $18 butcher fee = $393/ quarter


You can order a quarter or a half at the above price, which will be due in full by Monday September 13th.  Payment can be made via cash or check between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm on any Monday up to Sept 13, at our normal CSA pick up time at the farm.  The total cost is guesstimating on their final weight; we are probably overestimating, in which case we will issue you a refund after harvest.  Although this seems a bit round about, it is the easiest way to legally sell beef without going to a USDA licensed facility – the nearest of which is some distance.  Cost, stress to the cows, time, and many other factors contribute to our choice of doing it this way.


The cows will be harvested at the farm, and then the meat will go to hang at Mayer’s in Vancouver (north of Costco) for a week or so before it is packaged and frozen.  We will let you know when it is available for pick up, probably around the first of October.  Upon pick up you will pay the additional cut and wrap fee of approximately $0.52/lb direct to Mayer’s.  When the butcher processes the meat, your packaged meat weight will be different than the original hanging weight – loss due to bones, fat, organs etc. 


Please respond by e-mail right away to let us know if you are interested in this tasty opportunity and we can get you directions to the farm so you can drop off your deposit.


The Garden Delights Gals
At Shamrock Acres Farm
Brush Prairie, WA


Erin Harwood & Eloyce O'Connor
Garden Delights CSA and Herb Farm
Fresh natural produce and wholesome herb products for people and pets
www.gardendelights.mysite.com 
E-Mail

Locavore Delivery & Garden DElights Jelly Sale! - 6.18.2009

We have a sale this week. The Garden Delight jellies need to move (more coming!). If you can use one, they're 20% off this week, at $4/each!


'Til soon! ~S

*****

Dee Creek Farm Cheeses, from start to finish
Our cheese can also be found at the Wednesday & Thursday Portland Farmers Market, Wednesday evening Interstate Farmers Market, the Saturday Vancouver Farmers Market - and Nature's Choice is carrying our cheeses now at the Camas Farmers Market on Wednesdays! Woodland Farmers Market begins THIS Friday for the season - and we may be represented there, too!
Aged Feta, $5.00/container - Creamy and salty. This weeks salad: romaine & wild greens, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and Cylas cheese crumbles with apricot vinaigrette. Sounds more Fall-y, but still delish!
Plain - block or crumble
Marinated - cubes - in olive oil with Garden Delight herbs
Kalamata Olive Tapenade - crumbles
Spicy - crumbles - peppers from Red Basket CSA farm in Battle Ground
Fresh Chevre, $5.00/container - Creamy - great on crepes, bagels, crackers, veggies...
Garlic Chive - garlic from Storytree Farm, chives from DCF
Dill Herb - herbs from Garden Delight
Strawberry Honey - fresh fruit from Pdx Farmers Market, honey from Honey House Farm
Original (Plain)

Eggs,
$5/dozen, ($4.50 per dozen for egg CSA'ers)
$2.50/half-dozen (limited)
We have very few extra DCF or Creative Outlet eggs this week, so order fast! Creative Outlet chickens, like ours, are fed only natural feeds and lots of pasture - you can find lots of info on our poultry-raising on our website. Be sure to recycle egg cartons that you pick up at our deliveries with us!

Fresh Fruit & Berries,
Strawberries from NW Organic Farm in Ridgefield - certified organic, $4/pint, $38/flat

Wild & Naturally Preserved Eats,
Mushrooms, Fresh (1/4# bags) -
Maitake $4.00
Shiitake $3.00 (beautiful #1's - limited seasonal supply)
Mushrooms, Dried (cello packs - choose one, not mixed packets)
Chanterelle, Lobsters, or Shiitake, $2.00
Maitake or Porcini, $3.00
Matsutake or Morels, $4.00
Dried Snack & Meal Helpers (chopped, diced, sliced, portioned & pkg'd for 1-2 meals)
Organic Red Onions, $1.25
Organic Heirloom Tomatoes, $2.00

Dried Herbs, $4/packet
From Garden DElights in Brush Prairie, these herbs were hand prepared from chemical-free herbs. There are several mixes available, including: Grilling Blend, Poultry Blend, and Veggies & Soups. Ask if you want to have a look/smell/feel at deliveries!

Canned "Preserves", low sugar
Strawberry Jelly,
Raspberry,
White Grape,
On sale - 20% off at $4/each jar for the above. The above also come from Garden DElights, in Brush Prairie. A multi generational farm, this Mom and daughter team work hard on creating healthful, local, and delicious foods. Generally known for their herb packets & natural doggy treats, they are also a produce CSA farm and have value-added products!
Wild Huckleberry Jam, 7oz., $5.00
Wild Huckleberry Syrup, 8oz., $5.00
These two huckleberry delights are wild-gathered by Nature's Choice, and are made with white grape concentrate. Both are almost sugar free!

Hot Lips Soda, $2.50/bottle
We still have just a few Strawberry soda's up for grabs, leftover from our Memorial Day concert at the Farm. These sodas are made with organic cane sugar, Oregon & Washington fruits (you'll get pieces in your drink), and are delicious.

*****

Remember that in an effort to be more efficient, and less wasteful, we do not write individual receipts, but instead keep a book. If you specifically want a receipt, please let us know when you place your order, if possible.

Anyone and everyone can order from our deliveries, not just "subscribers"! To any newcomers on the e-list, welcome! Also rest assured that all farms contributing to our deliveries all meet several standards: chemical-free, sustainable, natural, family farming... If you have questions about any of them, don't hesitate to ask, or check them out yourself!

To order, click here and specify what you would like.
All checks go to "Dee Creek Farm", or bring cash.
**BRING YOUR OWN BAG**
We fill pre-orders first, then it’s first come, first served!
We do mostly pre-orders at deliveries, rather than Farmers Market style.
Please help us in this by pre-ordering what you can!

Summer & Spark
Email
Farm Phone: 360-225-9711
Cell Phone: 360-903-6956 (no service at the Farm)

Summer Solstice in the County Farm Tour - 6.20.2009

Summer Solstice in the Country Farm Tour - Hosted by Garden DElights

June 20th, 2009
10am to 3pm

Save the date for our annual summer farm tour with two other farms in Brush Prairie, Half Moon Farms and Scented Acres, on a short loop for a fun and easy family trip.

Garden DElights
15417 NE Parkinen Road
Brush Prairie, 98606
Phone: 360-892-4479
Contact name: Erin Harwood or Eloyce O'Connor
E-mail

Price: FREE

Three farms in Brush Prairie showcasing unique offerings will be open for visitors on June 20th, the summer solstice. A short loop through Brush Prairie will take you to Scented Acres Lavender Farm on Highway 503, then a turn to the right through “downtown” Brush Prairie and off towards Hockinson on 159th St will take you to Half Moon Farm then just a quick ride to Parkinen Rd gets you to Garden Delights. Scented Acres offers a multitude of lavender products, goats and chickens for viewing while Half Moon Farm brings you a large variety of plants, honey and chickens, too and lastly Garden Delights has a great many herb products for people and pets, horses and cows and classes for parents on herbs and farm fresh food for babies. Get out into the country and see what local farms have to offer.

Check out the Google Map of the farm loop

Join us for the following events at the farm:

10:30 am and 1:30 pm
Compost Tours - see our aerated compost system and meet the Chief Composter, Al

11:00 am - $5 for those wanting to make & take home samples. Bring a picnic and stay for lunch!
Herbs for Babies - Join Erin & Kieran (our newest addition!) and learn how you can use herbs and some common household ingredients to easily and quickly create your own natural soothing skin products.

1:00 pm - free recipes
Farm Fresh Baby Food - Erin & Kieran will discuss how to utilize the upcoming farm fresh bounty to easily make your own baby foods, cheaper than you can buy from the store. We'll cover making, storing, and flavoring common farm foods appropriate for baby. Best of all you'll know exactly where you food is coming from when you buy local and what's in your baby's food when you make your own.

WSU Master Gardeners Presents: A Tour of Clark County CSA Farms

WSU Master Gardener On the Road Tours
Tour of Clark County CSA Farms
Thursday, June 18, 2009
8:30 - 4 p.m.

This final "Master Gardeners on the road " tour of the year will give residents of Clark County an up close look at four farms and gardens that offer community supported agriculture memberships as a way to be self supporting.

WSU educators and the farmers themselves will provide commentary throughout the tour.

The $35 registration fee includes a catered luncheon prepared from local ingredients by Anna Petruolo of "A Dinner Together".

Registration for the tour can be made online at:
https://ocrs.wsu.edu/Signup/?eventid=534

Please call Carolyn Gordon with any registration questions at:
360-397-6060 X7718.

The four tours stops include:

Garden Delights is a Brush Prairie farm run by a mother-daughter team who enjoy working in the gardens and flower beds, then sharing delightful edibles and crafts with you. They feature dried herbs and flowers grown without herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Wisteria Gardens: is a picturesque small family farm nestled on 20 acres of gently rolling meadows and groves of shady trees. Guests will enjoy strolling around the formal farmhouse landscape, visiting the peacocks in the cottage garden and relaxing in the shelter of the park pavilion.

Rosemattels CSA Farm located in Vancouver has had such success that they have expanded to a second growing field in Felida. The tour will enjoy a catered luncheon while exploring the vegetable beds and learning about how to run a CSA.

NW Organic Farm: The owners purchased their farm in Ridgefield, and since no pesticides had ever been used on the land, were able to "go organic". Fortunately, organic farming was becoming more accepted commercially so they were able to start out right. No land reclamation or purification was needed. Their goal is to help the education of the consumer in any way they can.


Carolyn Gordon
WSU Extension Clark County
Master Gardener Coordinator
11104 NE 149th Street C-100
Brush Prairie, WA 98606
360-397-6060 X7718
FAX 360-397-6122

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office.