Walnut Hill Farm at Elm Springs, LLC

So says the Governor of Nebraska, about “pink slime”, well Governor if it is beef let’s grind the hide, hoofs, bones, and some of the internals as well, and horns of selected breeds.

In most people’s eyes ground beef would mean the muscle of Bos taurus, not all the other parts as well.All I can say Governor is “come on man”.This is the agricultural factory farms at their best.

Look at it from the industries point of view, on a typical beef cow, the industry, like the rest of us might realize 150 to 200 pounds of ground beef per animal. (You don’t grind the T-bones of a beef cow.) But if you add in 20 pounds of “pink slim”, that is a 10% increase in the amount of ground beef per animal.Couple that fact, with the fact that the connective tissue doesn’t end up in a dumpster, and it is a win, win situation for the industry. Lower expenses and increased sales, what’s not to love?

But this is not what everyone does; “pink slime” was only available from a small select group of processors, at the extremely large packing houses.I small processor like we use can’t afford the equipment, must less the ding to their reputation for such a practice.

While the industry may grind parts from 10,000 to 20,000 animals per day and commingle all that beef; that is not the way family scale beef processing is done.At Walnut Hill Farm, we process two cows at a time, using Fauquier’s Finest; the ground beef you receive from us is the muscle from those two cows only.And if we requested, the ground beef would not be commingled.In fact if you purchase one-half beef from us all of the ground beef comes out of that half only.

The industry is always looking for items like “pink slim” to increase the bottom line.I have to increase the bottom line using quality, and sound management practices.But don’t worry, by and large “pink slim was mostly served in school cafeterias, not Ruth Crist Steakhouses.

With one or two exceptions (refrigeration) try to determine what agriculture practices were in place prior to factory agriculture, and seek out those that adhere to those old time practices.

Modern factory agriculture is more concerned about a healthy bottom line than it is concerned about your health and well being.You have the power to change the industry, exert that power with your shopping dollars.

Have you ever seen a box of premade hamburger patties, and then look at the ingredients only to discover that beef isn’t the first ingredient, it makes you wonder, doesn’t it.

No Governor it isn’t beef, and it never was what anyone unknowingly thought was beef.But if you are so proud of this product, why don’t you have some served at the next White House State Diner?Just like I thought.

Jeff

Last night the final piece of the puzzle feel into place, and I now know my work schedule for the upcoming market season.This is a schedule that allows for so much free time, I don’t know how to handle the situation.

The Farmer’s Markets that Walnut Hill Farm will be attending this year are as follows:The week begins with the Dale City Farmer’s Market on Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.This is a market with 43 individual vendors, and a good market management team.This Markets starts April 1, 20012 and runs year round.The winter hours are adjusted once December arrives.Ginny will be on farm Sundays from noon until 4:00 p.m.So there is no change to Sundays.

Monday and Tuesday will be flex days on the farm.These flex days will be used to either conduct school field trips, or to process poultry.My preference is to process the poultry on Tuesday’s, but this may not fit a school teacher’s schedule.Spring is a great time for an elementary field trip to the farm.And not to worry, I can tie your grade SOL requirements into the field trip.

Wednesdays starting in May, I will be at a new Farmer’s Market in Massaponax at the hospital.This will be an afternoon market, and it is the first year for this market.I have great promise for this market.This market means that I have to find an individual to keep the farm store open on Wednesday afternoon.If you are looking for some part time, extremely part time work; just let me know.This is a change from last year, so please bear with us.This market doesn’t begin until May.

Thursdays, oh Thursday up before the sun, Manassas starts at 7:00 a.m. and runs to 1:00 p.m.This year opening day is April 12^th.This market is held at the Harris Pavilion so don’t let those occasionally rainy days discourage you.After the market, it is rush like a madman to the post office to pick up 150 new baby chicks.Yes that is correct generally each week I have to go to the Post Office and pick up poultry.Next it is rush home, unpack, because Tee time is 4:00 p.m.

That’s correct; the one vice that I will admit to is Thursday afternoon golf.In fact I am looking for a partner in a men’s league, as my long time golf partner is having health issues and can’t play.If you love golf, and think you can put up with me, let me know.This is my chance to relax, scoring is not important, but good conversation is.

Friday, is apron day, a rubber apron.Friday is the main processing day of the week.This is an all day poultry processing extravaganza, and to increase the fun, you are invited to view, participate, do you own chickens, or bring the children by for an educational biology lesson.On a good day, there will be enough products to supply the market demands for the weekend.

Saturday Ginny and I are headed in different directions.I will continue to bring my charming personality to the Warrenton Farmer’s Market.This market begins April 14^th from 7:00 a.m. until noon.Ginny will be attending the downtown Fredericksburg Market this season beginning April 28^th.The market in Fredericksburg is a 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. market.Once hot weather arrives Ginny might have to leave earlier to protect our product.It has not been decided how we intend to work two markets and keep the farm store open, so keep checking the blog for details.

My first hope is to find help for Ginny on Saturday’s; the coolers we use are heavy once filled with meat, especially the chicken cooler which can weigh as much as 300 pounds.Should you be interested in a couple hours labor early on a Saturday let us know.This will be paid labor; I am not looking for a freebee.

On a final note, neither Ginny nor I will be attending markets on April 21^st.Instead we are making a public appearance with Chip and Dale.In the event you haven’t seen their pictures these are our oxen.We will be in Warrenton from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. that day at an open house for the Warrenton CFC, if you are in the area you just have to bring the children.There are two special Warrenton boys that I hope to see at this (E & O) event.I know you mom might be worried but trust me, it will be worth the trip.

Hopefully this catches you up on how April is shaping up for us on the farm.I have to decide what to do if all my spare time, I guess feeding the animals daily might be one thing.

Hope to see you at a market near you,

Jeff