Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion. - Simon Sinek

Working with Passion

"Where's James? He was here a minute ago," was the question at lunch the other day.

"He quickly ate his lunch and is out on one of his machines digging the trench for the parking lot drainage system."

"I've never seen him so happy! He loves this work."

"Yes. After 40 years of doing water and sewer lines, he knows what to do and likes doing it."

"He always walks around like a man on a mission. Now, he's working like a man with a passion."

It's been amazing to see how quickly James and the guys have gotten the drainage system for the parking lot done. And none of us have seen James this happy. He loves using his big machines doing what he knows best.

This week James removed dirt from the parking lot in preparation for spreading fabric, and then a mixture of crushed concrete and gravel. We're all looking forward to a mud-free place to park and walk.

The weather has continued mild and dry, perfect for getting the job done. And after a few years of collecting various pieces of heavy equipment, which we weren't sure what we would use them for, we've had everything we needed to do the work.

Even though the weather has been warm for this time of year, the cattle and sheep wanted to come into the corrals. The beef cows are enjoying their new super shelter and the sheep have been enjoying their fresh hay and a cozy barn at night.

Daphne and Dot are settling in nicely and keeping Bob, the bull company. They are gentle, sweet cows that we hope to be milking next summer.

Maybe Jeannie will get her greenhouse next. Things come together at the right time as they should.

With an abundant supply of our meats, we are offering various boxes of cuts at a bit of a savings. This is a convenient way to have quality Harvest Haven meat in your freezer.

And these boxes make great gifts for family and friends!

BBQ Box:

1x T-Bone Steaks (2 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

A delicious Harvest Haven product that gives you convenience without compromise.

Fresh Harvest Haven russet potatoes are cut into fries, blanched in hot beef tallow, lightly salted, and flash frozen.

To prepare, simply spread frozen fries on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cook in a 425° F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until done the way you like them. Easy peasy!

Offer these deliciously fresh organic treats as they are or make your own special mixes. Serve guests or wrap for gifts.

Sweet treats:

Chocolate Covered Almonds
Yogurt Covered Almonds
Chocolate Covered Raisins
Yogurt Covered Raisins

Roasted nuts:

Roasted Salted Almonds
Roasted Salted Peanuts
Roasted Cashews

Seasonal chocolate bars:

Camino White Cocoa Crunch
Crispy Gingerbread Spice
Cranberry, Orange, & Ginger Zing

With the cost of everything going up these days, what's better than a gift certificate that helps with the basics of life?

With a Harvest Haven Gift Certificate, you're thinking in the box out of the box.

Harvest Haven Pastured Chicken Wings – At one time, wings were just thrown into the soup pot. But now there are dozens of tasty recipes to make with these succulent bits of chicken. Harvest Haven wings are split into drummettes and wingettes, ready for you to use.

Harvest Haven Raw Honey, 300g or 650 g – Harvest Haven Honey is not only RAW, but it has absolutely no chemicals, not even those approved by organic certification. Our bees forage on our chemical-free fields and are not exposed to formic acid and oxalic acid, which organic certification allows to treat varroa mites.

The honey from this summer's extraction is the best we've ever had! The bees like their super-insulated hives and rewarded us with a copious amount of their work.

Harvest Haven Oven Fries, 2 lb – A delicious Harvest Haven product that gives you convenience without compromise. Simply spread frozen fries on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cook in 425° F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until done the way you like them. Sprinkle with your favorite seasonings for a variation.

Bioitalia Organic Olive Oil, 750 mL – This delicate oil is made from the best selection of organic olive varieties in southern Italy. Their origin is guaranteed by a system that follows the product from the field to the table. An excellent product.

Harvest Haven Frozen Strawberries – Fill your kitchen with the wonderful aroma of summer. Picked at the peak of perfection, these wonderful berries are bursting with goodness and flavor. Blend into your favorite smoothie, make into a bright red sauce, bake in a tasty dessert, or thaw slightly for a refreshing snack.

Organic Cane Sugar, 800 g – Organic cane sugar is unrefined sugar minus the cancer-causing and environmentally damaging pesticides present in conventionally grown sugarcane.

Compared to white sugar, organic cane sugar has the full-bodied taste of sugarcane and is much less processed, retaining a lot of the nutrients present in cane juice.

It is the best substitute for conventional white sugar in any recipe.

Please note, all ingredients in our recipes are organic.

The Kids Are Growing!

While looking through past Harvest Haven videos for a story about strawberries, I saw this cute Strawberry Gummy Recipe with the much younger Van Popta children. They were so small and adorable!

Strawberry Gummy Recipe –

Now, look at them in this video of picking strawberries this past summer. They've grown in five years. Mathijs even took the video and produced it.

Kids Showing How It's Done –

However, their personalities are still the same. Konstantijn continues to coach her siblings to do their best. Marseilles loves to dream and create her own worlds displayed in her cartoons. Mathijs is still curious about how everything works and is just as precise about what he does.

They've come a long way and learned much, and we can't help but appreciate them a lot.