2009 Autumn Olive Farms Newsletter

Another year upon us and the start of our 10th season.
What an incredible time of growth it has been; all with your support, of course.

Our move last year to put up grain bins, buy a grinder/mixer, and purchase and grind our own NON-GMO grains was a great success. The performance of the chickens, turkeys and hogs with the quality grains was most impressive, to say the least.

I want to toot my own horn for a second, and I hope you won’t skip over this. Some of you know what, “GMO” stands for. Most of the grains produced in this country are genetically modified organisms. Most GMO corn and soybeans can be sprayed with the herbicide, “Roundup™” and it will kill every plant but the corn or soybean plant. This is not normal in nature and I want to link you to a webpage that will educate you on GMO.

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/AboutGMFoods/FAQs/index.cfm

Besides sourcing non-gmo grains, we use all natural, vitamin and mineral supplements; not synthetic in our feed mixes. We take pride in the way we do things at our farm and encourage you to visit us to see what we are doing. If you’re cutting corners and purchasing from someone that doesn’t do that because they are a little bit cheaper…please reconsider how important your health is.
Some people tell you what you want to hear, but I encourage you to comparison shop on what you are getting. Don’t take their word for it visit them and do your research. I will put our quality way ahead of the others.
Just remember, that one Big Mac you consume won’t hurt you but many Big Macs, compounded over time will degrade your health. And I’m not referencing that you’re eating Big Macs. I’m meaning if your eating someone’s locally produced, all natural, produce and or meats without doing your research and just trusting what they tell you, you will be duped many times.
Come visit us and we will earn your trust and confidence. I may plan an open house some time soon. I will notify you when this happens. It has been a couple of years since the last open house; I feel it is time to do it again.

Saving Money

The economy is front page news. Restaurants are hurting because you are not eating out much anymore. Save money and purchase our quality meats and enjoy a personal evening with fabulous tasting meats. I encourage you to get together in your homes with great friends and share our products and friendship with the ones that are special in your lives. I am preparing to have some easy and special recipes available for you this year.

2009 MEMBERSHIPS

Many of you took advantage of the memberships we offered in 2008 and many of you have recently inquired if we are doing it again.
It was a great success last year, so we are doing a modified version this year.
First an explanation of our membership.
We are mimicking a “CSA”, (community supported agriculture).
Most CSA’s are with produce farmers and you pay at the beginning of the year a set amount. This gives local producers money needed for startup capital, like seeds, fertilizers, etc. You as an investor, get in return every week a basket of produce, of what is in season. You are a part of helping that local producer get started, survive, and thrive with their business; a business that you believe in and want to support.

Our Membership this year is a minimum of a $400 investment. You can do any dollar figure from $400 on up. We are limiting the amount of investment money we will take in so once we reach that figure, we will quit accepting memberships.

The membership is a credit, you pay me $400, $600, or any dollar figure above $400, you have that credited to your account.
When you purchase product as a member at the farm or farmers market, you will receive the discounts below, and you will pay nothing as it will be taken off your credited amount.
Example: if you had $600 in membership payment and you purchased some chicken, pork, and eggs, and your total with tax was $126.67.
I will deduct the $126.67 from your $600 leaving $473.33 in your balance. When you run out of money, you will no longer get the discounts below. But, you will be able to purchase product at the non-discounted prices.

I request you use up all your membership credits before the end of 2009.
Also, all money invested in our membership has to be returned to you in product purchases.
We will be using the investment money to purchase semi-loads of grain, vitamin/mineral supplement, chicks, pigs, etc. so the only way to get your investment money back is in product.

When you come to purchase product, and you are a member, please before you place your order, tell us you are a member so we can give you the proper credits.

Advantages of being a member in 2009

Eggs will be $3.50 per dozen instead of $4.00
5% discount on all chicken products.
5% discount on all turkey products.
10% discount on all individual cuts of pork.
10% discount on all individual cuts of beef.
5% discount on wholes and halves of pork or beef.
And priority on whole/half purchases of pork or beef,
as we have limited numbers available.

Make Checks payable to: Kip Glass
2169 N. Farm Rd. 71
Bois D Arc, Mo. 65612

FARMERS' MARKET

The farmers market seems to be the best venue for all of you to purchase our product. All pricing will be the same whether purchased at the farmers market or the farm. As always, all products at the market will be frozen.
You will be able to pickup our product at Mama Jeans Market, and other stores during their operating hours. Go to the “Where” page on our website for a list of distributors of our products.

FARM PICKUP

We will have some farm pickup days scattered throughout the year. We will email the dates and times out to you when that happens. If you are wanting fresh chicken, contact us that you do and we will put you on a list so we can contact you when that is available.
If you want to come out to the farm other than farm pickup days, contact us so we can schedule a time and date that works for both of us. DO NOT come to the farm with out prior arrangement or we might not be here.

CHICKEN

Chicken is pastured/free range and fed our own mix, that has NON-GMO grains, and all natural vitamin and mineral supplements.
Whole chicken -- $2.95 per lb. (approx. 4 lb. plus bird)
Halved chicken -- $3.05 per lb.
Cut up chicken -- $3.15 per lb.
Bone in Split Breast -- $5.95 per lb.
Boneless/Skinless breast -- $7.25 per lb.
Leg/Thigh -- $3.10 per lb.
Wings -- $2.00 per lb.
Stock Bags -- $1.35 per lb.
Dog Food -- $1.35 per lb. (this is ground chicken necks and backs)
Livers or Hearts -- $2.00 per lb.

Chicken will be frozen at the Farmers Market.
Pricing will be slightly higher at retail outlets.
Check out our website for a list of retail outlets that carry our product.

TURKEY

Our turkeys like our chickens are pastured and fed NON-GMO grains.
Turkey pick up for Thanksgiving will be November 20th and 21st from 2pm to 5pm each day at the farm. Bring cooler and ice.
Turkeys will be fresh and will keep till Thanksgiving. Don't forget to order one for Christmas too.
We will have a pickup day or two in Springfield like I did last year. I will contact you later with that location (probably the farmers market).
I need to have orders for Thanksgiving turkeys before May 1st so don't delay in ordering
Broad Breasted White turkey - $2.90 per lb.
Average weight 15 lbs. to 20 lbs.

Heritage turkeys… I may be able to raise heritage turkeys this year. I will contact you via email if that happens.

PORK

Our hogs are fed our own unique feed mix with NON-GMO grains and we use no chemical wormers. With lots of oats in the feed mix, I guarantee this will be the best tasting pork you have ever had.
I have started off the year with several hogs growing so I should be able to keep up with the demand again this year. We should have pork available all the time and right now have it available.
Half and Whole hog pricing will be $2.75 per lb. hanging weight and you pay for processing.
It will be cheaper for you if you have the freezer space to purchase whole or half hogs than individual cuts.
A whole hog will take up approx. 4 cubic feet of freezer space, of course a half hog, 2 cubic feet.
For more info on cuts of a hog go to www.askthemeatman.com/hog_cuts_interactive_chart.htm

Contact me with questions and approx. processing days and to book your hog.

Pork cuts will be as follows:
Chops (various thickness) 6.25 per lb.
Brats (our biggest seller) 4.98 per lb.
Bacon (No-nitrate cure) 6.00 per lb.
Tenders (the best part) 16.65 per lb.
Shoulder roasts and steaks (my favorite part of the hog) 4.98 per lb.
Sausage –medium & mild spice no MSG 4.25 per lb.
Ground Pork 3.85 per lb.
Hams (half –no nitrate cured and nitrate cured) 5.35 lb.
Other cuts are available on a limited basis.

This will be the best pork you have ever tasted in your whole life. And I’m not kidding. Try it and you’ll see.

BEEF

100% grass fed, no hormones or antibiotics.
I will offer wholes and halves on beef again this year with processing time around the middle of May and June and probably again around October.
I will also have individual cuts to offer.

Beef pricing will be $3.30 per lb. hanging weight and you pay for processing.
Call immediately with your order as we have only a few animals scheduled for processing.
Some beef cut pricing will be:
Ground beef 5.45 per lb.
Ground round (more lean) 6.45 per lb.
Sirloin Steak 7.15 per lb.
KC Strip Steak 10.85 per lb.
Ribeye Steak 12.75 per lb.
Flank Steak 9.00 per lb.
Tenderloin Filet (the cream of the crop) 19.25
Round Steak tenderized (one of my favorites) 5.25 per lb.
Rump Roast 7.20 per lb.
Chuck Roast 5.75 per lb.
Pikes Peak Roast 5.45 per lb.
Brisket 6.75 per lb.
Other cuts are available on a limited basis.

EGGS

Eggs are $4 per dozen this year at the farmers market or farm. Do not come out to the farm and get eggs unless prior arrangement is made. Those that have farm memberships get priority and get eggs at $3.50 per dozen.
Recycle your egg cartons with us. If you return a clean, reusable carton of ours to us, we will deduct .25¢ from each dozen you purchase from us.

IMPORTANT INFO

1) If you email me could you please put your name and phone number in the body of the correspondence so I can call you if I choose to do that over email to answer questions.
2) If you want product at the farm other than farm pickup days call ahead to make sure someone is here.
3) Don't show up early on farm pickup days as we will not be ready to serve you till the specified times. Our farm is closer than you think, only 20 minutes from James River Freeway and Campbell Street.
4) All pricing is subject to change.

DIRECTIONS

We are a short drive west of Springfield, Missouri. In fact only 20 minutes from either Glenstone and Interstate 44, or Campbell and James River Freeway.
Go west on Interstate 44 to exit 67 which is the Bois D’Arc, Republic exit. Take T Hwy. north towards Bois D’ Arc. You’ll cross 266 Hwy, staying on T. The next crossroads you come to is Farm Road 124, turn left on 124. Go just ½ mile to Farm Rd. 71, you can only turn right. Go ¾ of a mile to our farm on the left, you’ll see our sign.

For those of you coming from south Springfield, take James River Freeway to Interstate 44 west bound, go only 1.5 miles to exit 67 and follow the directions above.