Taking Time for What Matters Most
This past weekend, we took a little time away from the never-ending farm to-do list to celebrate Father’s Day together.
The work on a farm doesn’t stop for weekends or holidays. There is always another chore waiting, another animal to check on, or another project that needs attention. But every once in a while, it’s important to pause—even if it’s only for a few hours—and spend that time with the people we’re doing all of this for.
We are incredibly grateful for Tony and all that he does for our family. The kids are lucky to have a dad who works hard, teaches by example, and still finds time for adventures, laughter, and the everyday moments that become childhood memories.
Father’s Day also reminds us that not everyone’s story looks the same. Some people are celebrating amazing fathers and father figures. Others are remembering someone they’ve lost or navigating more complicated relationships. We recognize that this day can mean different things to different people.
Whether you spent the weekend celebrating, remembering, or simply enjoying time with family, we hope you had a chance to slow down and appreciate the people who matter most.
Now for what’s happening around the farm.
This past Saturday was our first Brandon Farmers Market of the season. First market days are always a little slower as everyone settles into their summer routines, but it was great to see familiar faces and meet some new ones too. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, browse, or make a purchase. We appreciate every one of you.
Sunday was supposed to be dedicated to processing the remainder of our first group of chickens. Instead, I took some time to recharge after the market and spend Father’s Day with family. Everyone’s version of recharging looks different, and that’s okay. Sometimes taking a step back for a few hours allows you to move forward a little better the next day.
That did mean I got less done than planned, but I still managed to process four birds and, more importantly, put our new chicken plucker to work for the first time.
The difference has been incredible. Before, I could easily spend an hour processing a single bird, plus additional time cleaning, sanitizing, and putting away equipment afterward. With the new plucker, I processed four birds and completed all the cleanup in roughly two hours from start to finish.
Because of the delayed schedule, chickens aren’t available on our website quite yet. My goal is to finish the remaining birds this week and have them available shortly after.
Tomorrow I’ll be picking up 150 new chicks, and if I’m being honest, that number is a little intimidating.
When we first decided to raise meat chickens this year, we thought 50 birds would be a lot. Then the interest started growing, and so did our plans. Our first group was 25 birds. Our second group was another 25. Now our third group will be 150 birds.
That brings us to 200 meat birds this year.
Seeing that number written down still surprises me.
We’re incredibly thankful for the interest and support we’ve received. At the same time, we want to make sure we can handle that growth responsibly. We knew that if we were going to raise that many birds, we needed to become more efficient. That’s where the new plucker comes in.
We also knew that processing 150 birds isn’t something one person should tackle alone. Thankfully, I’ve found some helping hands to assist when processing day arrives.
Some of you may be wondering why Tony isn’t part of the butchering crew. The simple answer is that it’s just not his thing, and that’s perfectly okay. Every farm family divides jobs differently. Tony helps care for the chickens and takes on plenty of other responsibilities around the farm. Processing birds just happens to be one of the jobs that falls into my department.
As we head into another busy week, we’re grateful for your continued support and excited to see where this chicken adventure takes us.
-K
