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 Step into my office. I have a confession to make. Sometimes I am a really bad farmer. No, not in the sense that I am joyriding recklessly in a combine at midnight or pouring giant vats of used motor oil into the nearby river. No, no, nothing like that. More in the sense that sometimes I fantasize about living in an apartment in a very busy city, working a 9-5, coming home at the end of the day to watch TV the whole evening through. Most often these fantasies creep up at the most inopportune times, like when the pigs’ waterer has froze up when its pitch black and -36 C. Or when a pen of uber-fragrant and amourous buck kids escapes from their Alkatraz-esque pen and all come hop into the van as you are loading the freshly bathed children and you’re running late for church. Sometimes it seems that a day off is a distant memory (was it 5 months ago? 6? When was that we took the afternoon off?). Often I have a hard time remembering what my feet feel like in real shoes, not clompy, manure-packed green rubber boots. And why is it so hard to feel very glamourous in coveralls covered in placenta and who-knows-what-else?  Not your typical "Sweet 16" glamour shots.
Don’t get me wrong. I love farming. I love feeling connected to what I eat and grow. I love the satisfaction of a day’s work done with everybody bedded down and well fed (human and animals alike). I love the opportunity to show my kids where milk comes from, the cycle of life, and how raising food is the most noble profession of all. I love sitting down for a breakfast of fresh eggs, our own smoked bacon, homemade bread and butter courtesy of Maude the Jersey. I love the look of wonder and excitement in my little fellas eyes as they peer into the laundry room and behold a wobbly bottle baby kid or piglet. I love spending the day in the sunshine with my family and claiming that its my “career”. :) But I’m sure you all know what I am talking about. Those moments that creep up from time to time when you really have to question your sanity that THIS is the life, the career path, the job you’ve chosen. The whole basis of a choice is that there are alternatives. When all the kid’s from highschool went on to become accountants and health care technicians and social workers, why did you choose to FARM?? Most people my age don’t understand why I’d go to university to study farming, much less choose to be a pig/goat/chicken/cow farmer…SERIOUSLY?? *insert wrinkled nose here* The truth is, though, that those people are missing out. They may never know the joys of seeing their first harvest through to the end. They will never know the anticipation of planning a breeding season years in advance, or the pride of handing over the frozen lamb that you brought into this world with care to a gourmet chef who raves about the quality of your products. They might miss out on planting a garden with a couple of soil-encrusted toddlers, or the heartache of saying goodbye to that trusty old milk goat that provided milk for your babies when they couldn’t tolerate anything else. A few weeks ago a friend asked my 4 year old son if he was going to be a hockey player when he grew up. Without a moment of hesitation he replied, “Nope! I’m gonna be a farmer and have a meat store”. I can tell you at that moment I couldn’t be more proud. :) Take care, keep warm and sending lots of “unthawed trough vibes” your way! Tam  The Ravenwood Gang (L to R): Mark (holding Nathan), Dayle, William, Tamara and Alice. From all of us here at Ravenwood we would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to all of our loyal customers and producers who have shown their support over the past year. Thank you all so much for your encouragement and friendship. We couldn’t have grown this little shop to what it is today without your kind words, help or patronage. We wish you and your family the very best holiday yet, and health and happiness in 2010! Looking for a dynamic group for lively discussion of current issues surrounding the production, distribution, security and policies surrounding FOOD? Look no further! Join the Food For Thought Book Club at www.foodbookclub.com.
Baker Creek Bistro Redstone Grill and Wine Bar CHEFS: Interested in featuring Ravenwood’s locally raised, natural meats on your menu? Contact us for a restaurant price list today :) We’d love to come meet with you to discuss what we can do for you.
We are pleased to be offering locally grown, natural purebred Dexter beef in store and to our Farmer’s Market customers. Dexters are a rare breed of small-sized cattle originating in Ireland where they are prized for their meat and milk. Their smaller size results in smaller serving sizes ideal for small households. Dexters also make a great option for freezer beef as a side (1/2) of Dexter beef is the equivalent of a 1/4 of regular beef, but you get both front and hind quarters so more variety of cuts. A great alternative for those without a large freezer. The Canadian Dexter Cattle Association states: Please stop in or place an order for some of our naturally raised Dexter today! JOIN US! We are always looking for dedicated producers with quality, naturally raised products. Transparency is a big part of our operation and we like to let our customers know what we do and how we do it. For this reason we ask that all producers send in a sign up sheet as well as a signed contract. Any additional information pertaining to your operation (ie. feed, management) is valuable. We like to provide consumers with details to help them make an informed decision about the foods they are purchasing and the farm families they are supporting.  Raw Powered! COMING SOON!Raw Pet Food made from our natural, locally raised meats. Check back soon for details! BEEF CHICKEN TURKEY BISON VENISON RABBIT GOAT LAMB WITH VEGGIES, OFFAL, EGGS, KELP, GARLIC…MMMMM! Following graduation from university I was planning to pursue my MSc in Canine Nutrition at the U of S. I am SO EXCITED that I will now have an “outlet” for my creative dog-food-making-energy :)
 PHOTO BY ALEXIS KIENLEN MARK AND TAMARA TAYLOR AND THEIR TWO SONS, NATHAN AND WILLIAM. THE TAYLORS OWN AND OPERATE RAVENWOOD FARM FRESH MEATS. — Alexis Kienlen of Alberta Farmer Express wrote a wonderful story about our crazy, er, enthusiastic family and meat shop. Click on the picture to read the whole story. Check out this interesting new website that promotes agriculture and eating local. Click below to be instantly teleported to the land of FarmOn!
Be sure to check out the forums and even open your own store to market your farm fresh products. And don’t forget to add me as a friend :) I’ll be lonesome otherwise. |
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