Ridge Meadows Farm celebrates this wonderful summer weather and outstanding growing season! Thanks to great sun and adequate rain this summer, the grass is green and plentiful and all our animals are healthy and happy. I hope you each have also enjoyed the summer...

But I am certainly feeling the seasonal switch as mornings are cool and misty and I find myself grabbing for a sweater and extra layer before heading our to morning chores. So, with the waning of summer comes the availability of our pasture-raised meats. Hopefully, this helps make your transition more bittersweet!

This newsletter contains our available 2010 meat products, wholesale pricing, and timeline for local meat orders of:

- 100% grass-fed beef and lamb;

- Pasture-raised and grain-supplemented poultry (chickens and turkeys);

- Early winter pork raised on grain and garden gleanings.

Poultry

Broilers (Meat birds) are currently available as freshly frozen birds. These Cornish Roasters range in size from 5# to 8# and are available at $3.00 per pound.

Poultry orders are currently available for pick up at the VTC Farmers Market (Wednesday’s from 3-6 pm), at our farm, or by special arrangement deliveries.

These birds are a bit smaller than last year -- based on customer feedback -- taste tender and juicy, and will make for a great dinner party meal (with leftovers)!

Turkeys will be available for your holiday meals again this season. Birds range in size from 14# to 22# and can be available either fresh or frozen in November. The traditional Giant White turkeys are $3.00 per pound and the heritage varietals Bourbon Red and Standard Bronze are $4.00 per pound. 

Please let us know if you are interested in heritage varieties and if you would like fresh or frozen birds when you place your order (these details will affect your pick up date).

Local food can help make your Thanksgiving Day meal very special!

~All of our poultry were rotationally grazed on our farm from 2 weeks old and fed only non-medicated grain and did not receive antibiotics. They were processed on the farm through out the summer and fall and are available for sale from our farm retail freezer. 

Pasture-Raised Lamb

Lamb wholes and halves (approximately 40 lbs. per lamb hanging weight) are available at $5.50 per pound hanging weight (HW).

Lamb orders will be available for pick up/delivery around September 25 this year (the weekend AFTER Tunbridge Fair)

A couple from Texas exclaimed the following about our lamb this summer; “We grilled the chops for dinner and they were absolutely the best lamb we have ever had!  We hope to see you again before we leave the area so we can purchase some more to take back with us.”

~Our lambs are born on the farm and rotationally grazed as a flock from May-September. They are not grained and are only provided mineral supplements and water in addition to fresh green grass. You really should try some!

Pasture-Raised Beef

Beef halves and quarters (approximately 150 lbs. per quarter beef hanging weight) are available at $3.25 per pound HW. 

We are also offering custom-order ‘Meat Medley Boxes’ for those families looking for a greater variety of local meats to serve at their dinner table. These boxes can contain your preferred combination of poultry, beef, lamb, pork, and eggs. Price varies based on personal preferences.

~Our steers are rotationally grazed on our farm from May-November. They are not grained and are only provided mineral supplements and water in addition to fresh green grass EVERY DAY.

Beef orders will be available for pick up/delivery around November 20 this year (the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving). This is a great time to pick up your holiday turkey too!

Pork

Pork halves and quarters (approximately 130 lbs. per pig hanging weight) are available at $4.00 per pound HW. Smoked hams and bacon are also available upon request for an additional $1.50 per pound (based on green weight).

Pork orders will be available for pick up/delivery in early February. This timeline includes time for smoking hams, bacon and roasts at VT Smoke and Cure in Barre, VT.

Winter is the time of year to enjoy pork shoulder roasts in the crock pot and secure a beautifully smoked ham for your Easter celebration.

~Our pigs live in the garden 'pig palace' and have rooting access to the ruffage remains in the garden, daily food scraps, and non-medicated grain. 

If you are interested in placing an order – and many of you have already, THANK YOU --  please let us know and we can begin filling your order. Quantities are limited as interest grows in local food production and small grass-based farms.  

Please call us with any questions.