Did you take advantage of all the beautiful days October provided? While unusual and climatically concerning, the dry warm days allowed us to accomplish some big farm projects.

Farmer Chris and crew installed geothermally heated automatic winter waters for all of our livestock. This is a BIG deal!!! Thanks to the financial support of NRCS and the landowners we will better protect water resources, and reduce stress for the animals and ourselves.

Winter Farmers Markets are revamped this year with the Northeast Minneapolis Winter Farmers Market taking place at Earl Giles Distillery and the Neighborhood Roots Winter Farmers Market returning to Bachman's Garden Center.

Unfortunately these markets are occurring on the same day! We'll have to split freezer equipment between the two markets. Pre-orders are recommended

New this year -- St Croix Valley Food Alliance Winter Farmers Market at Abrahamson's Nursery. A wonderful shopping option for those in the St Croix River Valley, and a fun day-trip destination for our urban neighbors.

Shoppers who buy local, seasonal foods at farmers markets make a great impact on sustaining family farms as well as reducing their own carbon footprint.

Plan ahead for holiday meals by placing an order for your centerpiece roast and side-dish ingredients. Inspiration below -

• 24 Main Course Alternatives to Turkey for Thanksgiving
• Turkey Alternatives For Your Thanksgiving Table

With thanks,
Tamara and Chris

May is month full of excitement - The mama sheep look double-wide and are close to lambing. The cattle are jumping fences because you know, the grass is always greener. Spring flowers are buzzing with bees and the pigs are laying in the mud. 

Our family will be soaking in all these wonders this weekend, because May 14 is the kick-off of Summer Farmers Market Season. Tamara will be returning to -

• Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market
• Kingfield Farmers Market

Note that we will be taking the fourth weekends off June-September

We'll continue to take pre-orders for markets and for our Western WI followers Friday On-Farm pickups.

At this point we don't anticipate resuming our Stillwater deliveries. If you are a customer for this delivery site who'd like to see it continue please reach out to us. We are open to exploring other delivery locations and modes of advertisement in this area.
 
In hopes that spring will cooperate, we've put together a Grill Season Bundle. Save 10 % on some BBQ essentials. Plus check out the recipe below for Salt-and-Pepper Ribeye, because that and a hot grill is all you need for a good steak.

Happy grilling,
Tamara

P.S. Don't forget to place an order for the best Grassfed Meat!!!

I snuck away from the farm again, but this time it was business related. I had the honor of presenting at the MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse last weekend. It was two days ripe full of wisdom, inspiration and connection.

That said, I'm happy to be home. I plan to warm the kitchen this month with delicious roasts. You should too, as we are having a Sale on Roasts.

Normally I lean on the experts and provide a link to someone else's recipe in the newsletter. But this month you are getting one from my own kitchen. I threw together a pot roast for dinner and Farmer Chris said it was the best I ever made.

So despite not measuring a thing, I did my best to create a recipe for you below. Pot Roast, I know what your thinking - simple - but I get asked each winter market for a recipe. So here it is! 

Thank your for taking the time to read our farm news. We hope March provides you some celebration and the joyful anticipation of spring.
 
-Tamara & Chris Johnson

P.S. Plan ahead for your St. Patrick's Day Brisket & Easter Ham - Order them today.

​FARMER TAMARA'S POT ROAST
INGREDIENTS -

• 2-3 lb Arm Roast, trimmed
• Kosher Salt & Pepper
• Central Street Old World Seasoning (I was gifted this for Christmas and it's good!)
• Flour
• Butter or Lard
• Bay Leaf
• Thyme
• Onions - all the veggies are roughly chopped
• Garlic Cloves
• Broth
• Carrot
• Celery
• Sauerkraut, 1 cup - use red wine if you don't like kraut

DIRECTIONS -

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 F
2. Pat roast dry. Rub with flour, salt, pepper and Central Street Old World Seasoning
3. Brown roast in a Dutch Oven using butter or lard. I actually used booth
4. Remove roast and sauté onions, garlic, thyme and bay leaf
5. Add roast and broth to pot. Enough broth the cover 2/3 of roast. Place in pre-heated oven with lid on crock. Braise for 1.5 hours.
6. Remove pot from oven. Flip roast. Add roughly chopped veggies and kraut. Add more broth, if needed. Braise for another hour, or until meat is fork tender.
7. Eat and enjoy!

February is a month of love and I swoon over a nice sear! Therefore we are having a deliciously good SALE ON STEAKS. Our nicer steaks - Ribeye, Strip, Tenderloin, T-Bone, and Porterhouse and our Prime Ribs - are all 10% OFF. 

These cuts are not just for the grill. Enjoy them in winter by making a Perfect Broiled Steak.

Tamara's flying the coop and taking a vacation, which means we need your orders early for the Feb. 5 Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market. Please get them in by Sunday, January 30th. Farmer Chris will be in the market stand with our helper Em.
 
Wishing you a month of showing love for self, steaks, and one another.