Farming is not just a job. It's a responsibility and a privilege. - Joel Watson | Milk Cows and Wagons When I was reviewing some of the previous Harvest Haven Happenings, I realized that Martin hadn't bought any wagons for a while. Buying milk cows was a different story. "Good morning, Martin. What's been happening?" "Look at this! I just sent you a couple of pictures," was his excited reply. I guess I thought too soon. "I got James a tool wagon for his shop. It's big enough for his most commonly used tools. And if he has an equipment breakdown out in the field, he can easily hitch it to an RTV to take his tools to do repairs out there. "It's a wonderful wagon." So, Martin is still doing wagons. | Now, the other story – milk cows. He bought two more cows. They are very nice Jersey crosses, which should give us more cream for making butter and cheese. Meet Daphne and Dot (Dorothy). | An update on Hazel who had hardware disease – she is doing better, eating more, chewing her cud, and pooping big plops (that's an important indication that her digestive system is working properly). She needs to regain the weight she lost during her sickness. Information about hardware disease said that it takes months for animals to return to normal vigor. We're thankful to see how well she's doing. | The other day, Jeannie sent me the view from her window in the store. | "What's Martin doing?" I asked her. "I know that Cindy, the ewe is left outside the corral so she doesn't get bred. She's too old to have any more lambs and has amply paid her dues, so she gets to be a pet now." Jeannie thoughtfully replied, "I think he's thinking about drainage for the parking lot and Cindy came to visit him." Jeannie was right. Martin and James are on to another project that's needed to be done since we bought the farm. When it rains or the snow melts, the area becomes a muddy mess. But, we haven't known exactly how to remediate the situation. Before becoming a farmer, James worked with his family installing water and sewer lines in Lethbridge and the area. Between him and Martin, they have a plan to install catch basins and drainage pipes that'll drain the water from the parking lot to the little dugout behind the corrals. It seems like the project is coming together, as James was able to get used materials to do the job. And he has his big toys to do the work. | We're very thankful for everything that the Lord provides for us. | With an ample supply of our meats, we are able to offer various boxes of cuts at a bit of a savings. This is a convenient way to have quality Harvest Haven meat in your freezer. BBQ Box: 2x T-Bone Steaks (4 steaks) 2x Kansas Strip Steaks (4 steaks) 2x Top Sirloin Steaks (4 steaks) 6x Ground Beef (6 lb) Average Cost: $220 Slow Cooker Box: Cross-Rib Roast Blade Roast Inside Round Roast Meaty Shanks Average Cost: $152 Budget Box: 2x Stir Fry (2 lb) 2x Minute Steaks (2 lb) 2x Short Ribs (5 lb) 6x Ground Beef (6 lb) Average Cost: $179 Chicken Sampler: 1x Whole Chicken (3-4 lb) 2x Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 2x Drumsticks (8 legs) 2x Wings (20 pieces) 1x Soup Bones (3.5 lb) Average Cost: $110 Lamb Sampler: 1x Boneless Leg Roast (2-3 lb) 2x Lamb Chops (4 chops/pkg) 1x Lamb Stew 1x Ground Lamb Average Cost: $108 | Onions are highly nutritious vegetables that may have several benefits, including improved heart health, better blood sugar regulation, and increased bone density. They're delicious, versatile, and relatively cheap, and they boast a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. The medicinal properties of onions have been recognized for thousands of years. Athletes in ancient Greece supposedly used onions to purify their blood, while medieval and traditional doctors prescribed them to help treat headaches, heart disease, and mouth sores. Onions are nutrient-packed vegetables that contain powerful compounds that may help decrease your risk of heart disease and certain cancers. They have antibacterial properties and promote digestive health, which may improve immune function. What's more, they're versatile and can be used to heighten the flavor of any dish. We have four varieties for your culinary pleasure. Cooking – Pungent, savory bulbs that are a staple in every kitchen and give a boost of flavor to your favorite dishes. Besides being a tasty addition to meat dishes, salsas, and dips, they taste great sauteed, roasted, grilled, and caramelized. | Red – These colorful onions are subtly sweet and mild enough to eat raw. Sliced into thin rings, they give a satisfying crunch to sandwiches and burgers. Slice or chop into salads for a nice bite and a dash of color. Grill ˝-inch thick slices, brushed with olive oil and a dash of salt. Enjoy as a side dish or use to top burgers and steaks. | Walla Walla – Yes, these onions are named for Walla Walla County in Washington State, USA. Its development started around 1900 in the Walla Walla Valley. It's a jumbo round onion that is very sweet. Grown right here at Harvest Haven. Great in salads, sliced for hamburgers and sandwiches, grilled, and roasted. | Shallots – Shallots are a variety of onion, and like garlic, they are formed in clusters of multiple cloves. They have a milder flavor than the common onion. There's a slight sweetness to the flesh and a mild bite that make shallots ideal for chopping finely and sautéing with butter, slicing into a stew, roasting with an herbed chicken, or deep frying for a crunchy garnish or side dish. Slice up raw shallots into a salad or whisk finely minced with extra virgin olive oil and lemon for a simple salad dressing. Here's an interesting tidbit: The name "shallot" comes from Ashkelon, an ancient Canaanite city in Israel, where it is believed shallots originated. | Naked Organs has had to move its distribution from Canada to the United States. If you've appreciated Naked Organs as much as we have, we still have their products available. Sourced from the heart of Southern Alberta, Naked Organs delivers a wealth of bioavailable nutrients. With unmatched purity and a rich profile of nutrients and vitamins, they provide an optimal daily enhancement for your health. Naked Organs offers three products: Bison Liver, Bison Heart, and Bison Trifecta (Heart, Liver, and Kidney). | Harvest Haven Pasture Raised Beef Shanks – Shanks come from the leg portion of an animal. Due to the constant use of this muscle, the cut tends to be tough and gristly (full of cartilage). But, it has lots of rich flavor, which makes it perfect for soups, Osso Bucco, and Bourguignon. Bioitalia Organic Peeled Tomatoes, 398 mL – Fleshy and firm organic tomatoes are peeled and immersed in their juice. No salt is added. The unique aroma and the rich and intense flavor of Bioitalia tomatoes are the result of processing that takes place only a few hours after harvest. Harvest Haven Beets – Besides being delicious, beets are super nutritious and work wonders for your health, like lowering your blood pressure, improving oxygen use, and benefiting digestive health. This earthy root vegetable is great as a side dish, in a salad or soup. Roasting fresh beets brings out their sweet flavor. L'Ancetre Organic Feta, 150 g – A Greek Feta made with 100% sheep's milk and packed in a vacuum-sealed package without brine, giving it a bold flavor that isn't too salty. Directly imported from Greece, this Feta PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) complies with the highest standards of manufacturing as per the Greek tradition. GMO free and organic, its flavor will transport you to the Mediterranean coast. It's a tasty addition to salads, pasta, and even hamburgers! Organic Lemons – Lots of love for lemons! Lemons with their distinct, pleasant taste and smell are used in many foods and drinks to enhance the flavor of that dish or drink. Besides being an important ingredient in many recipes, lemons also provide several health benefits, like most real foods. Organic Icing Sugar, 454 g –Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Powdered Confectioners' Sugar is an excellent one-for-one replacement for conventional powdered sugar. Perfect for frostings, fillings, dusting, and baking, this truly wholesome powdered sugar captures a tiny bit of natural molasses in the extra-fine powder, making for a confectioners' sugar that's deliciously sweet and flavorful. Made from organic sugarcane hand-harvested in South America, this Organic Fair Trade Powdered Confectioners' Sugar is sustainably grown and processed. | Please note, all ingredients in our recipes are organic. | Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup with Fluffy Dumplings 2 lb Harvest Haven meaty beef shanks
1 tbsp salt
4 cups thinly sliced cabbage
1 1/2 cups chopped Harvest Haven onion
6 Harvest Haven carrots, peeled and cut in 3-inch pieces
3/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green or red pepper (roasted is nice)
1 – 2 cloves Harvest Haven garlic, chopped
1 can (398 mL) Bioitalia peeled tomatoes, undrained
3/4 cup fresh or frozen Harvest Haven broad beans *
1 cup fresh or frozen cut green beans *
1 cup fresh or frozen corn *
1 – 2 Harvest Haven potatoes, cubed
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups Bioitalia strained tomatoes
Dash of ground cloves
1 tsp cane sugar
2 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper
*Other vegetables can be substituted for these For the dumplings
1 2/3 cup flour, plus extra for dusting
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cold butter, grated
2 tbsp finely chopped flatleaf parsley
3-5 tbsp water Day before serving: Place beef shanks, 1 Tbsp salt, and 3 quarts of water in very large kettle. Cover, and bring to boiling. Skim surface. Add cabbage, onions, carrots, celery, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes. Bring to boiling, then simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer, covered, 3 ˝ hours.
Remove meat and bones. Discard bones. Let meat cool. Cut into cubes and add to soup. Refrigerate overnight. Next day: Remove all fat from surface, and discard. Before serving, heat soup to boiling. For the dumplings, in a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, butter, chopped parsley and a pinch of salt, then gradually add 3-5 tablespoons water, mixing as you do so, until the mixture comes together as a slightly sticky dough (you might not need to use all of the water). Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and roll into small balls, each half the size of a golf ball. Top the stew with the dumplings, cover the casserole with the lid, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the dumplings have puffed up and are cooked through. Serve in bowls. | Beet, Honey, and Feta Salad 2 large cooked Harvest Haven beets, peeled
1 oz. L'Ancetre sheep feta
1 teaspoon orange zest
2 tablespoons chopped salted pistachios
1 tablespoon honey, plus more Slice beets into 1/2 inch slices. Lay on serving plate. Top with sheep feta, orange zest, pistachios, and honey. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. | Lemon Poppyseed Bars 1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 Harvest Haven eggs
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
zest from 1/2 lemon
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tbsp poppy seeds Glaze 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
zest from 1/2 lemon Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare an 8x8 square pan by buttering it. In a large bowl combine butter, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, salt, and zest. You can mix it by hand or with a hand mixer. Add flour and mix until just combined. Then add poppy seeds and stir in by hand. Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until the edges are brown and the middle is set. Do not overbake, you want the texture to be like that of a brownie. Let it cool. While the lemon poppy seed bars are cooling, combine the glaze ingredients and whisk them together. Pour it over the cooled bars and spread out into an even layer over the top. Cut into squares and serve. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. | Why Are Harvest Haven Meats the Best? Fabulous Flavor, Superb Taste. Just Try! Many of our customers tell us that they've tried other pasture-raised meats, but ours is the best – flavorful, tender, and juicy. Martin briefly discusses why. It's the animals' lifestyles and the farmer's care. | | |
