You all have been waiting for this so here it is - a day early!!!
 
Those on the email list are getting a headstart for reserving turkeys - we will be opening it up to the public on Saturday at the market so be sure if you want a turkey you reserve it this week. 
 
 
Only about 40 are available so make sure not to put it off for too long!!
 
Next....yes.... there is more!!!
 
We decided to open up the selling of whole lambs.  We have 9 available so reserve yours early!!  They go in on November 6th and should be ready about 1-2 weeks after that!!
 
 
Finally - our 2010 Meat CSA now is accepting reservations on-line!  Read all about it at:
 
 
Now, we are running a special if you sign up for the 2010 Meat CSA during September!  You can spread out your monthly payments for a full 7 months!!  This option will ONLY be available until September 30th and then we will be taking it off the website.
 
Whew!!  That's a busy day!  Make sure you visit the site today!!
 
The Sacco Family
 
 

date Sunday, September 27, 2009

It's amazing that it's been close to 90 degrees this past week - did someone forget it was FALL??
 
I'll start off with the most pressing question that people have been asking me - TURKEYS!  Yes, we do have about 40 turkeys we will be butchering for Thanksgiving this year!!  So far so good.  Many of you know last year was a disaster and when we moved them from 1 place to another, they decided to all die on us within weeks.  This has not happened this year and they were allowed outside the past 2 weeks without a problem so we are expecting them to do well at this point.  My hope is that they will be 18-25 lbs dressed weight.  They will be running $5.99/pound.  Starting on MONDAY we will be accepting deposits FROM OUR EMAIL LIST PEOPLE ONLY!!  You guys get first grabs on this one.  The $50 deposit will be non-refundable (unless of course the turkeys have a death-wish I am not aware of yet).  You will get a choice of days to pick it up the week of Thanksgiving.  The turkey will be hand-butchered THE DAY YOU PICK IT UP!!  They will include the neck and the liver - but not the gizzard.  So watch your email on MONDAY for a special link for this.
 
Onto this weekend! I'm going to revert to the Labor Day Weekend Sales as those were huge!  Note - we are changing the hours to be from 1-4 instead of 1-5.
 
This week, we will keep at it with the 10% off all individual meat purchases (beef, lamb, mutton & pork).... but we have some GREAT sales going on as well!  THESE ARE FOR ON-FARM SALES ONLY and will NOT be offered at the market at these prices!!!  These items will also not be subject to any additonal % off because of these are at the lowest prices we can do!!
 
* Large Pork Boston Butt - these are for your smoker - 9lbs+ each!  - $4.00 per pound
* Pork Shoulder Roasts (average 3-5lbs) - $4.50 per pound
* Beef Kielbasa Grillers (4 per pack) - $4.00 per package!
* Beef Short Ribs - $3.75 per pound!  This is 50% off so stock up on these!!!
* Boneless Leg OR Shoulder of Mutton - $5.00 per pound
* Boneless Leg of Lamb or Shoulder Roast - $15.00 per pound (usually $18-20 per pound!!)
* Ground Beef - $4.00 per pound!!  This is $1.50 off per pound so come out and stock up on this one!!
 
We will once again have chicken available on the farm, but as many of you are finding out - you really need to get here early for the chicken and the eggs!  At this time we are only holding back 4-5 chickens to sell at the farm, so be sure to get here on time to pick them up - remember these are HAND BUTCHERED on Friday for you to have on your table Saturday night!  They can keep fresh in the fridge for 7-days (so until next Friday) or put them in a freezer bag (I don't recommend freezing them in the bag that we sell them in) and freeze them for a couple of months if needed.
 
Another announcement:  Look for our new MEAT CSA to be coming out within the week.  What is a "Meat CSA"?  Community Supported Agriculture is big.  What it does for you is allow you to pick up a great selection of meat every 2 weeks from March - October.  Each week will feature different cuts of beef & pork.  You will get the option of receiving chicken as well from May-October and even eggs!  The payment plans and such are currently being hashed out between Joe and myself but we expect to be able to officially announce this SOON.  This is a great opportunity for those that don't have a lot of freezer space for a 1/4 of a steer but still want meat on a regular basis.
 
Hope to see everyone this weekend!
 
Your farm friends,
The Sacco Family
 
PS: We still have space available for 1/4 or 1/2 steers for November - we have sold out for October! http://www.chicamarun.com/beef.html
 

date Friday, September 25, 2009

I just think it's cool to see this big guy RUNNING (I'm serious - he was cruisin' for such a big turtle!) down the road this afternoon.


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date Monday, September 21, 2009

Well our large black pig gave birth on Saturday.....

8 little piggies were born....1 was still born making it 7 little piggies....

Night #1 - 3 little piggies didn't make it or were squished by mom..... now 4 little piggies

Night #2 - the runt didn't make it through the night..... now 3 little piggies....

This one is a learning experience. We aren't using a farrowing crate since they are pasture raised and last time they seemed to do ok without our help.

I THINK the problem is with the straw/hay. I think there is too much in there with them making it difficult to "find mom"......

I really hope these last 3 make it.

date

To post our newsletter on our blog. Apparently a few people are fans on facebook (very cool BTW).... and they look there and not on the email. I heard you - and so now I will do this :)

I just sent this out this morning:

"Hi everyone!

Chimney sweeps are here - which means colder weather is right around the corner! So it's time to get some of your favorite meats at Chicama Run this Saturday from 1-5. We have been having HUGE success and thank everyone for coming out to the farm to visit. This week, we will be redoing some of our more popular sales and adding a HUGE one on!! Please remember - these sales are available ONLY AT THE FARM! You will NOT get these prices at the farmer's market. All beef, pork and lamb NOT listed is still being offered at 10% retail prices!
Delmonico/Rib-Eye Steaks for $15.50/pound (usually $19.50/pound!) - This is our best selling steak and as a thank you we are discounting it this week!!
Beef Stew Meat for $5.00/pound (usually $6.50/pound)
Beef Kielbasa (has MSG) - $4.00/package (each pack has 4 grillers)
All Loose Sausage - $4.00/pound (usually $5.50/pound) - Breakfast, Sweet Italian or Hot Italian - STOCK UP!!
Pork Sausage Grillers - $5.00/pound (usually $6.50/pound) - Sweet or Hot Italian
ALL BEEF & PORK ROASTS - 20% OFF!!! Fire up the crock pot this week!!!
Now - on to other hot news!! Our chickens have been selling out FAST - be sure to get here early to get the best selection.

Then - we are still taking reservations for steers - HOWEVER - we are SOLD OUT for OCTOBER!! We have about 1-2 steers left in November so you will NOT want to miss out as those will be the last batch we will have for 2009.

This week we will be at Paeonian Springs Grocery and Gourmet on Thursday from 4-7!! I will be bringing meats there even if we don't have orders.

Eggs are golden right now as we are not getting as many as we have in the past. We are only getting about 10 dozen per day. We are HOPING that this increases soon, but as the weather changes we never know what is going to happen. "


So there you go. These are the hot specials for the week....

As far as regular farm stuff that's going on - it's constantly busy right now! It's amazing that it's already fall and we are starting to prepare for the Fall Farm Tour which is in just a couple of weeks!! (October 17-18th).

Gotta run and do the chores for the morning!

date Wednesday, September 16, 2009

I just think these are cool! Joe picked the sunflowers today - and I just think they look great. We've had people use these as bird feeders and had people take the seeds and roast them. Just a neat thing to grow - especially since I had never seen it before.
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date Saturday, September 12, 2009