Kielbasa

This month, in our share from Chestnut Farms' meat CSA, we got uncured kielbasa. Delicious! I have to say that I've never eaten much meat as adult, mostly just when I'm craving real BBQ or a good burger. However, ever since joining Chestnut Farms' meat CSA, I have been amazed at how good it is. We rarely buy meat outside our CSA share (besides chickens, in season, from Pete and Jen's Backyard Birds), so I am pretty spoiled with the flavor. Healthy, happy animals just taste better, I guess.

Chestnut Farms, Hardwick MA: "Meet Your Meat"

404 Turkey Street, Hardwick, MA 01037

chestnutfarms.org

We attended the semi-annual Open Barn that the farmers at Chestnut Farms hold for their (meat CSA) shareholders each June (the other is in October). As usual, the animals were the stars of the day. The baby pigs were so cute! .

At the monthly pick-ups, Kim is usually doing about sixteen things at once, so it was nice to spend time chatting in a much more relaxed atmosphere.

For me, the open barns are a chance to connect a bit with the people behind the food, and to see first hand, and appreciate, the attentiveness and care that goes into raising the food that I put on the table for my family. It costs a bit more, but is worth it for so many reasons.  Last fall, we had a bit of a budget crisis, but decided that the $22/week we spend to eat meat from Chestnut Farms was well worth the expense. We decided that a small amount of meat (10lbs/month) from responsible farmers was a way to fit it into our budget. As Kim says herself, CSAs don't work for everyone all the time. But, we are lucky that we can make it work for us right now.

Chestnut Farms, Hardwick MA

Chestnut Farms

P.O. Box 545; 404 Turkey Street

Hardwick MA 01037

www.chestnutfarms.org

Turkey pick-up day at Chestnut Farms! Their resident barn rooster was strutting his stuff around the pigs, not at all bothered by us poking around.

Before getting our bird, we had fun chasing baby pigs everywhere.

We were able to get a heritage bird, which I am really looking forward to cooking. Well, maybe not cooking, but definitely eating. I think I'll try a cider brine this year...

Chestnut Farms, Hardwick MA

Chestnut Farms

P.O. Box 545; 404 Turkey Street

Hardwick MA 01037

www.chestnutfarms.org

Time to meet our meat again! We spent the day out at Chestnut Farms today, to see where the animals we get in our meat CSA share live. We saw the Thanksgiving turkeys gobbling around, although I thought they sounded like barking dogs this year, for some reason. Maybe it was the heritage breed? Or maybe it was just me.

We got to hold baby chicks, which Talia thought was the best thing she had ever done and kept running back to hold them again.

It was a gorgeous day for running outside in the fields.

Hardwick Vineyard & Winery, Hardwick MA

Hardwick Vineyard & Winery

3305 Greenwich Road

Hardwick, MA 01037

www.hardwickwinery.com

This was the last stop on a whirlwind tour of Hardwick agriculture. First the grownups sampled wine with local cheeses, grapes, and wine crackers to munch on in between glasses. Then the youngest of our bunch played on the fantastic wooden tractor/jungle gym for quite a while.

There was fun to be had for all. Apparently, they have a bed and breakfast here, too, which I didn't notice until we were leaving. Otherwise, I would have asked for more details. There were a few bottles of wine from here that found their way into the car, though, so I was happy.

Robinson Farm, Hardwick MA

Robinson Farm

Ray and Pam Robinson

42 Jackson Rd./PO Box 94

Hardwick, MA 01037

www.robinsonfarm.org

The second stop on the Hardwick tour was Robinson Farm--right down the street from the Hardwick Sugar Shack. There, they sell a variety of items including organic raw milk and eggs, and humanely-raised veal. I got a gallon of raw milk for making cheese (which I am very excited about) and my friend, Kari, got a quart of maple yogurt, made from the milk on this farm. I regret not getting yogurt, too. I'll just have to go back. They also had a variety of local cheeses and maple syrup.

Pam Robinson was in the farm stand when we showed up, and pointed out the cooler of experimental cheese wheels. The plan is to start making and selling cheese, too. I wish them luck and can't wait to try them once they're past the experimental phase.

We visited with their chickens across the street before we left. Right now they are in their winter home, but are almost ready to be moved to their roaming chicken coop once the warmer weather hits.

Hardwick Sugar Shack, Hardwick MA

Hardwick Sugar Shack

572 Jackson Road, Hardwick MA 01037

413.477.0932

www.hardwicksugarshack.com

My first sugar shack of the season was at Hardwick Sugar Shack in Hardwick, MA. It's a family-run place with everyone helping out. The two kids--ages (and I'm guessing) eleven and sixteen--gave the tours. They were so good it made me embarrassed of my own public-speaking skills! In addition to a guided tour of the operation, and close-up look at the evaporator (boy did it smell good in there!), we got the low-down on the history of the tap. I was surprised to see how far it's come from a simple metal spout.

This sugar shack is also home of a horse and some wild turkeys, which you may be lucky enough to spot on your visit. They are hosting open houses on Sundays this month (11AM-4PM) and I would recommend a visit. If you do stop by, there are a few other great spots to visit in town--stay tuned for more posts this week.

I brought home a large jug of their delicious maple syrup and can't wait to drown some pancakes in it next weekend.

Chestnut Farms, Hardwick MA

Chestnut Farms

P.O. Box 545; 404 Turkey Street

Hardwick MA 01037

www.chestnutfarms.org

My freezer doth floweth over... with meat from Chestnut Farms! Since last May, my family has belonged to a meat CSA--how great is that? As an omnivore, I appreciate that now most of the meat I eat is humanely-raised. Twice each year, they host an open barn where you get to see just how the animals live before they end up in your freezer: Meet Your Meat, as they say. We went to the one they had last October and were pretty impressed! The farmers, Kim and Rich, really work hard and take wonderful care of all the animals. And, they are pretty tasty, too. How it works is that once a month we pick up a cooler of frozen assorted meat from a pick-up spot (there are several--ours is in Harvard center). It's a mystery cooler full of surprise cuts. In the summer months, there were many cuts suited for grilling; now that it's winter, we've gotten a lot of cuts good for stewing. We've gotten all types of meat: ground beef/pork/lamb, bacon, sausage, filet mignon (only once but, man, was it delicious!), ribs, rack of lamb, ham steak, chicken breast, pork loin, etc., etc. We also ordered a Thanksgiving turkey (not included in the monthly share) which was fantastic. Everything has been absolutely top notch. I would highly recommend this farm if you are looking to join a meat CSA.

I am under the impression that this is the only meat CSA in the state, but don't quote me on that. However, there is a new one at Springdell Farm, in Littleton, MA, starting this year. So, now that makes two. Springdell Farm started a vegetable CSA last year and we signed up for this coming season. Once the crops are ready for eating, I'll post an update on that.