Brian & Jena Becker 3960 N. Graf Rd. Caro, MI 48723 Brian s Cell 989.325.1044 Jena s Cell 989.325.1718 www.beckerfarmsmi.com Keeping You in the Loop Inside this issue: Hay Info 2 Help Wanted 2 FAQs 2 Recipe Spotlight 2 Pictures! 3 Order Form 4 Product/Price List 5 As the farm keeps expanding and changing it only seems fair that we start a newsletter to keep you up to date. There is so much going on around here! We re tripling our number of pasture raised chickens this year. Last year we had many more requests than we could fill. We received a lot of excellent feedback so we will be doing things the same this year. Thank you for being patient with us as we try to grow our flock of egg layers. We tried out a few heritage breeds last year and have narrowed it down to two that we like. Both breeds are gentle and nice to deal with and they laid very well for us through the winter. We purchased an incubator and we ve been hatching out chicks since January. It takes about 5 months for the chicks to start laying so we should have a good supply by July or August. We do have a limited supply of eggs available now if you re interested. There will be plenty of beef available this year. A quarter of beef makes an excellent Christmas present. Those who purchased beef from us in 2009 were very happy with it. There s nothing like a steak that fresh; it beats the restaurants every time. We re happy to be going through this year with a new barn for the animals. It s so much nicer to have all our feed and supplies in one place instead Look for more sunflowers along the road this year. of scattered around the farm. We hope you enjoy our first newsletter and look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. One last thought, we did recently launch our website so be sure to check it out: www.beckerfarmsmi.com. We would like to encourage you to print the order form and share it with anyone who may be interested. You are welcome to contact us with any questions. We truly appreciate your business and look forward to working with you. You re Welcome to Visit We would like to formally invite you to visit the farm. Bring your family and come see the animals. Spring is the best time to bring children out they ll love all the baby animals. This year we have lambs and lots of chicks. We really enjoy visitors so please don t hesitate to give us a call and set up a visit. Here are a few guidelines to ensure a great experience: Dress appropriately. That means boots when it s muddy and clothes that can get dirty. Call ahead. We re both busy working on and off the farm and may not be available to show you around if we aren t expecting you. The horses love carrots and apples so you re welcome to bring those, however please do not feed the animals unless we are with you. We don t want any missing fingers. We look forward to seeing you!
FAQs Q: How many animals do you have? A: At last count 60: 2 rabbits, 1 cat, 5 dogs, 30 chickens, 11 cattle and 11 sheep. The total will rise drastically throughout spring and summer before dropping way down in the fall and early winter. Q: Do you both work off the farm? Where? A: Yes we do. Brian works at the road commission as a grader operator. Jena works at a local vet clinic as a licensed technician. Q: How does it work if I buy part of a cow or a lamb? A: It s easier than you might think. You let us know what you want and how much (usually a quarter or half for beef and a half for lamb). We make arrangements to have your animal butchered. The packer, usually Caro Packing, will call you and go over what type of cuts you want and how many steaks to a package, etc. It is your responsibility to pick up the meat from the packer at a time that they set with you. The meat is already frozen when you pick it up so you can take it home in coolers, fill your freezer, and start trying out new recipes! What s your question? Call or e-mail it to us so we can answer right away. You just might see your question in a future newsletter! HAY INFO We ll have the big hay field in Fairgrove again this year. We may have some other fields as well, so tell us what you re looking for and we ll try to plan for it. Let us know soon if you re interested in picking up your hay out of the field. We ll have mostly square bales and a few round bales. As usual, we ll be storing some hay to offer throughout the winter and early spring. Delivery is available as well. Call Brian to talk hay: 989.325.1044. KNOW A HARD WORKER? We re always looking for a few young people to help on the wagons during hay season. All we ask is that they show up, work hard, and treat our customers with respect. We also have a spot available for the right person to hold down the farm when we re away. If you or someone you know is interested give us a call. RECIPE SPOTLIGHT: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients Soft tortilla shells 8 oz. of your favorite cheese (taco, cheddar, Mexican, etc.) 2 C cooked, shredded chicken 16 oz. sour cream (more or less depending on preference) 2 cans cream of chicken soup Seasonings to taste This recipe is an excellent way to use up what s left when you roast one of our tasty whole chickens. Just boil it until the meat comes off. You can also cut up a chicken and cook in the Crockpot with a little water until the meat can be easily shredded. Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray bottom of 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Mix both cans of soup with sour cream (do not add water). Add any desired seasonings. Reserve half of the soup mixture. Add the shredded chicken to the other half, mixing well. Spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture into tortillas and roll up. Place filled tortillas in pan. Coat the top of tortillas with remaining soup mixture, sprinkle with cheese. Cover with foil. Bake until bubbling. If you like, you can remove the foil for a few minutes at the end to brown the top a little. Enjoy! Recipe submitted by Sarah Story. Thanks Sarah! If you d like to submit a recipe please send it to info@beckerfarmsmi.com or our mailing address.
Pictures from Around the Farm
Beef Product and Price List Our cattle enjoy fresh pasture when available and all the hay they can eat when not. They have grain and fresh water nearby at all times. We do not use any hormones or growth supplements. They are free to move about on pasture or dry lots for most of the year and have the shelter of the barn and fresh straw bedding during the coldest months. Lamb $1.65 per pound (based on hanging weight) + processing A typical quarter weighs 200-215# All the lambs that we sell are born and raised right here on our farm. We do not use growth hormones or antibiotics. The lambs nurse from their mothers for their first few months of life. They mimic their mothers almost immediately and will eat grass, hay, and grain alongside them. After weaning the babies stay together on pasture until they reach market size. Pricing to be determined. Sold as halves. If you show interest in lamb on your order form we will contact you with pricing when Whole Chicken we have lamb available, you will not be obligated to purchase until we Our chickens spend their first few weeks under a heat lamp. As soon as their feathers come in they move out to the pasture. They have a large shelter with a floor and straw bedding to protect them from the elements. During the day they range in a large fenced area. They have fresh water and grain available at all times and their entire setup can be moved as they wear down the pasture. The meat is excellent roasted whole in the oven, grilled, or fried. We ve had many requests for these chickens for special occasions so think ahead and order some for your next cookout or celebration. Whole Turkey $2 per pound + processing. Sold whole only. Our turkeys are raised in portable pasture pens during pleasant weather and move in to the barn when it gets cold. They have grain and fresh water available at all times. Once you try one you ll never go back! $2.50 per pound + processing. Sold whole only.
Name: Address: City:, MI Zip: Phone #: Alt. # 2010 Order Form GO GREEN Check the box to opt to receive your newsletter via e-mail instead getting a paper copy. PRODUCT QTY PRICE NOTES OFFICE USE ONLY WHOLE CHICKEN Sold whole only. Indicate quantity of each type of bag. Batch 1 (Early June)* $2 /lb. + processing** None Plastic bags w/ ties (free) Shrink bags - best for freezing (30 each) Batch 2 (Mid to Late June)* same None Plastic Shrink bags Batch 3 (Mid July)* same None Plastic Shrink bags Batch 4 (Late July)* same None Plastic Shrink bags Batch 5 (Late August)* same None Plastic Shrink bags Batch 6 (Early September)* same None Plastic Shrink bags *Dates are approximate, we will notify you with exacts. First come, first served: we will offer you the next available batch if your preferred date is sold out. If you need birds for a special occasion please notify us well in advance. **We highly recommend Westover Wild Wings for processing and will deliver and pick up your birds to them as a favor to you. They charge $1.25 per bird. You are welcome to make other arrangements. TURKEY Sold whole only. Order early. White (November)* $2.50/lb + processing** Indicate preferred size. Preferred range in pounds? to # No guarantees but we ll try our best! *We plan to have most turkeys ready for processing the week before Thanksgiving so they can be eaten fresh. However, if you prefer a smaller bird you may need to have it processed earlier and freeze it. **We highly recommend Westover Wild Wings for processing and will deliver and pick up your birds to them as a favor to you. They charge $4 per bird. We will reserve an appointment for the birds we raise, prior to the holiday, unless you make other arrangements. BEEF (Mid Summer and on) $1.65/lb + LAMB as available EGGS as available Brown & white, from our heritage hens GIFT CERTIFICATES Brian s Cell 989.325.1044 Jena s Cell 989.325.1718 www.beckerfarmsmi.com processing To be determined Special requests, questions, comments, etc.: We are very grateful for your business. Thank you for giving us this opportunity! - Brian & Jena Did someone refer you to us? Who? They ll get $5 off their next order! Half or Quarter. Price based on hanging weight. Whole or Half. $2/dozen Pickup at the farm call or stop in for availability, or ask about delivery. Any amount. Specify amount(s) Mail completed order forms to the farm: I understand that any animals purchased from Becker Farms come under my ownership live and I may or may not opt to have them processed according to the arrangements that the farm offers. < PLEASE SIGN