Akyla Farms

Newsletter March 2008

The World is a Changin'

Each year brings on new opportunities and learning experiences. We have delved more into the benefits of feeding organic feeds and those without soy. For us it is not the use of fertilizers/pesticides/herbicides but the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) that scare us. These organisms can transfer their genes into yours and therefore can affect how your body operates. As for soy it is one of the heaviest in the GMO realm and many people are so allergic to soy that they cannot consume meat products that were raised on soy foods. Also soy is not as healthy as we have been led to believe by the mainstream health and agriculture divisions. For more information on soy and healthy diets please visit www.westonaprice.org. All of the organic feed that we will be using for the poultry and pigs will be coming from In Season Farms in Canada. With the change in feed to organic and higher fuel prices we have increased our prices accordingly.

From the Pastures

We will be offering whole, pastured chickens. In our continuing effort to provide you a better eating experience we will be raising Buff Orpingtons and Freedom Rangers. The chickens will be raised on organic grain and fresh pasture daily once they have fledged. Processing dates are scheduled for June 28th and August 2nd, and 9th. The first date will be the Freedom Rangers, with the other two dates for the Buff Orpingtons.

Note Change: The first June date has changed to the 28th from the 21st and the August 3rd date has ben taken out. The first batch arrived late. When we called to inquire about the second batch we were told that the hatchery had quit business effective immediately. We are hoping that another hatchery will keep this breed going. Pricing: $4.50/pound. Please mark on the order form if you would like any of the extras as the first set comes with each bird if requested.

Eggs

Last years additions to the laying flock are now consistently laying and we usually do have an extra dozen or two chicken eggs. This year our plan is to purchase more ducks as we are getting more requests for their eggs. The laying flock is fed a mixture of organic grain, locally grown oats, kelp, oyster shell and the occasional treats from the house. The ladies are allowed to free range all day to find grass, weeds and bugs. Please contact us for availability.

Pricing: Chicken $4/dozen, Duck $4/dozen, Goose $4/6 eggs.

Pork

We are thoroughly savoring the pork we put in our freezer last year and so are many of our customers. We placed our pre-order last fall for 10 weiner pigs from the same breeder. The pigs will also be on organic feed along with the pasture and vegetation they consume and root in. We will also be working with the butcher to make it easier on you by setting up a basic cut and wrap. If you do not want any changes then there will be no need to call. Also by doing this you will only need to send us your check when we receive hanging weights as the butcher fees will be included in our costs.

Pricing: $4.90/lb

Cattle

We have had a bit of a setback on increasing the herd size as we build the herd up to the point where we can be offering a select number of beef animals each year.

Goats

Akyla's Browsers will be kidding out in April/May and we will be offering kids for sale (meat and pet). These will be from the vegetation management herd and raised on pasture and brush with no grain. We cannot guarantee that all of their feed will be organic as this herd does go out on other properties to manage blackberries and other woody vegetation. They are a Boer/Cashmere mix and should be ready to go in the fall to your pastures or freezer. If you are interested in the meat we can coordinate for the butchering.

Pricing: $100/goat (+butcher fees)

If you are interested is seeing if the goats could help you with your out of control vegetation please contact us for a free on site consultation.

Other News from the Barnyard

National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and other governmental invasives

"Remove us from the industrial model, and we won't ask anything from you. We will succeed or fail on out own merit." Carl Little, attorney and farmer, Stockman Grass Farmer, November 2007.

We don't mind the basic permits that are required to provide you with wholesome food as they are an assurance for you the customer that we operate in a clean and sanitary way. But then there are those programs that duplicate other programs that are already in place and/or are so onerous that they prevent you from having the choice to have locally grown, healthy, pasture raised meat. NAIS is one of those programs that fits both of these negatives. There are already many programs out there that are working well at a fraction of the cost of NAIS to eliminate diseases in livestock, many of which are caused by factory farming and unhealthy animals. Also, with the RFID chips linked to causing cancer we will not sell you an animal that could potentially have cancer. For more information on NAIS see www.nonais.org and www.nonaiswa. org . We continue to fight NAIS on the local and state level.

Weston A. Price Foundation

This organization was formed to promote the research of Dr. Weston A. Price, a dentist in the early 1900s, who researched the diets of native populations before they were influenced by processed foods. He found them to be healthy, happy, vibrant and resistant to all of the diseases of the time. Carol has taken over as the local chapter leader and conducts monthly meetings on eating and finding healthy, nutrient dense foods. If you would like to know more about the foundation please visit their website www.westonaprice.org or contact Carol.

Horses

Moose and Jazzy are continuing their training for draft work as we find the time.


Milk Herd

The milking herd has hopefully increased to two, as the original doe is being joined by her daughter who is hopefully due to deliver in June. Talia, our original doe provides us with plenty of milk but unless her current kids are with her we a tied to the farm twice a day to milk and we would like a little more of a vacation. So by increasing the herd to two we can offset their breeding/kidding cycle and maybe get a mini vacation. Also the excess milk will provide a great supplement to the chicken and pig diets. These girls are allowed to go out and browse/graze during the day, have access to hay during the winter and a small amount of grain while at the milking stand. If you have any questions please ask.

Thank you for your support,
Carol and Kevin Osterman Akyla Farms
14199 Reservation Rd LaConner, WA 98257
(360) 466-2058
barnyard@akylafarms.com