The past year was a long and stressful year, between droughts, animals, garden, and LIFE we made it to 2012! As with all new beginnings, we get to start over, improve on somethings, and enhance others! So here is the list of what is changing and what is happening on the FARM!
GARDEN
The garden is growing, we are expanding the garden so that we can offer more CSA shares and a lot more varieties! If you can name a veggie we are probably growing it this year! We have a very extensive list of items that should be coming in your baskets soon. We adding on 12 more CSA members, so if you or someone you know is interested please contact me cathy@coxfamilyfarm.com. The CSA this year will be $50 a month for a peck of vegetables, we call them a basket, but fresh, organically grown, local veggies once a week that will feed a family of 4-6 each week!
We are working hard on adding recipe's into the baskets so that you can learn different techniques for cooking all the wonderful things you will be receiving! We are hoping to get feedback from our customers so that we can build a large list of recipes to share with each other. Some of the comments we are hearing about our CSA is "My Husband was skeptical when I brought home the last basket because of the winter veggies, but after the week he said WOW you had the kids eating Kale, Swiss Chard, and turnips and everyone enjoyed it!" We are glad to help supply healthy foods to our customers and friends.
COWS
We are breeding cows right now! We bred 4 today and currently have 1 bred, so if you are looking for grass fed beef contact us and put a hold on your calf for next year! The FARM is currently working on obtaining our Raw for Retail Grade A Licence so that we can sell Raw Milk from the farm. We will keep you updated on the progress as this procedure takes time.
Have a GREAT Week and come see the farm,
from our family to yours, enjoy!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Back on Track!
Many of you have heard of the woes of the farm this summer, some of you have not. I kind of stopped blogging because everywhere I turned I was facing another devastation. It started with Cows who did not do well through the drought and miscarried to chickens who couldn't stand the intense heat of our 108 days all the way through a early freeze that wiped out the last of the summer veggies!
Well you can sit and look for the bad, or you can "Pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, and start all over again" (Got to love Sesame Street) So that is what the Cox Family Farm did!
We have re-breed half the cows and will be testing soon, to be sure that it took. We have 2 cows that were born on the farm that were breed for the first time! So if you are looking for some grass feed beef, get on the waiting list so that when they are born and ready you can put some in your freezer! I love having beef in the freezer, the hard part is deciding what is for dinner because there are so many choices! We are looking forward to having NEW BABIES on the ground and hopefully lots of rain SOON so we can have lots of grass for them!
The garden is on the next phase, winter veggies! So if you have been craving salads, turnips, greens, and more they are here, with Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, and others on the way! We are excited about the winter garden and getting ready for next year! We are adding more CSA shares so if you want a basket full of veggies each week for $12 a week, give me a call! We are hoping to add some of your favorites too! So if you have veggies that you look forward too, or just LOVE give me an jingle or shoot me an e-mail, you can even just post of FaceBook and we will get the seeds ordered and the planting schedule adjusted!
Planting is always a busy time of year and it takes everyone so if you feel like getting dirty or just hanging out with us and visiting while we work, give me a call and we can schedule sometime for everyone to be apart of the FARM! The greenhouse will be the hangout starting about the second week of January!
We are making improvements to the farm also, so if you want to come check them out, or swing a hammer for awhile, give me a shout and we can all pull things together!
I am excited about the growth on the farm this year and hoping to see wonderful thing popping up all over. Come and visit and enjoy some dehydrated squash chips while you are here! They are turning out to be a welcome addition out here! Healthier than potato chips, and tastier than you would think. My favorite feed back so far has been "I wouldn't mind eating squash like this, they are good!"Maddy "She likes them so I had to come try one, they're good!"Dad
Hope to see you all soon, and hope to update sooner so I can keep everyone informed of the going ons at COX FAMILY FARM!
Well you can sit and look for the bad, or you can "Pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, and start all over again" (Got to love Sesame Street) So that is what the Cox Family Farm did!
We have re-breed half the cows and will be testing soon, to be sure that it took. We have 2 cows that were born on the farm that were breed for the first time! So if you are looking for some grass feed beef, get on the waiting list so that when they are born and ready you can put some in your freezer! I love having beef in the freezer, the hard part is deciding what is for dinner because there are so many choices! We are looking forward to having NEW BABIES on the ground and hopefully lots of rain SOON so we can have lots of grass for them!
The garden is on the next phase, winter veggies! So if you have been craving salads, turnips, greens, and more they are here, with Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, and others on the way! We are excited about the winter garden and getting ready for next year! We are adding more CSA shares so if you want a basket full of veggies each week for $12 a week, give me a call! We are hoping to add some of your favorites too! So if you have veggies that you look forward too, or just LOVE give me an jingle or shoot me an e-mail, you can even just post of FaceBook and we will get the seeds ordered and the planting schedule adjusted!
Planting is always a busy time of year and it takes everyone so if you feel like getting dirty or just hanging out with us and visiting while we work, give me a call and we can schedule sometime for everyone to be apart of the FARM! The greenhouse will be the hangout starting about the second week of January!
We are making improvements to the farm also, so if you want to come check them out, or swing a hammer for awhile, give me a shout and we can all pull things together!
I am excited about the growth on the farm this year and hoping to see wonderful thing popping up all over. Come and visit and enjoy some dehydrated squash chips while you are here! They are turning out to be a welcome addition out here! Healthier than potato chips, and tastier than you would think. My favorite feed back so far has been "I wouldn't mind eating squash like this, they are good!"Maddy "She likes them so I had to come try one, they're good!"Dad
Hope to see you all soon, and hope to update sooner so I can keep everyone informed of the going ons at COX FAMILY FARM!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Ramping up for a new School Year and Fall Garden!
We have got our supplies, books, and are ready for the best school year so far! We homeschool so that we can be the biggest influence on Alice, it is fun and we all learn! We are starting 3rd Grade this year and very excited. Trying to establish our Homeschool support group at the farm again, so we can practice public speaking like book reports and hold cool classes like worm composting or pottery! This year I also want to add science projects once a month! Big plans, so we will all try to work it out!
We create a grade book/journal each year and this year's book is done and being filled in! I created grade sheets with all the assignments so that it would be easier to track! Always putting pics of Alice from last year on the cover. This time I put a picture of Alice and her new brother, well brother-in-law, close as she will get to a brother! We are excited to have him in the family!
The fall garden is coming along, we have started seeds and are working on more. We have got lots coming up right now, watermelon personal size, squash (yellow, patty pan, butternut, zucchini) along with Purple Hull peas and Black eyed peas, but don't forget the Okra! Lots being harvested and lots of excitement!!
We are starting to get a steady supply of eggs for those interested call the farm! We are still waiting on the Baby Calf to be born, does anyone what to guess if it is a boy or girl? Maybe I will start a poll on Facebook where you can vote! Who ever gets it right can get a pound of flour (fresh ground)!
The hides are dried and the next step is to start the tanning process to make the leather soft! Will keep you informed and post pictures as soon as we start the next step!
DH is working on improving water lines and building chicken tractors and PLOWING gardens space for me! He stays pretty busy with Honey dos. Maybe this weekend I will grill him a rib eye from the new calf we butchered! Have a good week everyone!
We create a grade book/journal each year and this year's book is done and being filled in! I created grade sheets with all the assignments so that it would be easier to track! Always putting pics of Alice from last year on the cover. This time I put a picture of Alice and her new brother, well brother-in-law, close as she will get to a brother! We are excited to have him in the family!
The fall garden is coming along, we have started seeds and are working on more. We have got lots coming up right now, watermelon personal size, squash (yellow, patty pan, butternut, zucchini) along with Purple Hull peas and Black eyed peas, but don't forget the Okra! Lots being harvested and lots of excitement!!
We are starting to get a steady supply of eggs for those interested call the farm! We are still waiting on the Baby Calf to be born, does anyone what to guess if it is a boy or girl? Maybe I will start a poll on Facebook where you can vote! Who ever gets it right can get a pound of flour (fresh ground)!
The hides are dried and the next step is to start the tanning process to make the leather soft! Will keep you informed and post pictures as soon as we start the next step!
DH is working on improving water lines and building chicken tractors and PLOWING gardens space for me! He stays pretty busy with Honey dos. Maybe this weekend I will grill him a rib eye from the new calf we butchered! Have a good week everyone!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Salting of the Hides...
OK sometimes common sense just has to kick in! We salted the hides and my darling Husband says the articles I have read says to stack them on top of each other. I say if you stack them on top of each other they won't dry. He says Cathy that is what it says can we follow instructions? ....
So the next day we are placing them on a piece of fence and putting that on top of the clothes line with him saying that is what it said to do, but it is not drying. I say You can't stack a bunch of wet towles and expect them to dry! LOL So now that we have that figured out, they are on the clothes line (litteral on top) and they are almost completely dry! YEA! then on to the next step. I will keep you informed.
On to other news, we planted a LOT of tomatoes for the fall garden today. We also planted some Bell Peppers. The fall garden is shapping up and so is the existing garden. Purple Hull peas are rippining up and looking great! The Egg Plant decided it like the irrigation being fixed and it is doing awesome too! So lots of good things happening at the farm.
Eggs, Eggs, Eggs..... soon we will have tons of eggs approx. 3 dozen a day! So if you want to get on our waiting list of receiving eggs each week give us a call! We already have approx. 8 dozen a week spoken for so hurry up and get your orders in!
I guess that is all for today. Check back with us and I'll see ya on the farm! Remember all this good food is for your family from ours with love!
So the next day we are placing them on a piece of fence and putting that on top of the clothes line with him saying that is what it said to do, but it is not drying. I say You can't stack a bunch of wet towles and expect them to dry! LOL So now that we have that figured out, they are on the clothes line (litteral on top) and they are almost completely dry! YEA! then on to the next step. I will keep you informed.
On to other news, we planted a LOT of tomatoes for the fall garden today. We also planted some Bell Peppers. The fall garden is shapping up and so is the existing garden. Purple Hull peas are rippining up and looking great! The Egg Plant decided it like the irrigation being fixed and it is doing awesome too! So lots of good things happening at the farm.
Eggs, Eggs, Eggs..... soon we will have tons of eggs approx. 3 dozen a day! So if you want to get on our waiting list of receiving eggs each week give us a call! We already have approx. 8 dozen a week spoken for so hurry up and get your orders in!
I guess that is all for today. Check back with us and I'll see ya on the farm! Remember all this good food is for your family from ours with love!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tanning Hides & Enjoying the fruits of our labors!
We raise grass feed beef on the farm and have had several steers processed. Although we have enjoyed the meat, we have also wanted to tan a hide from one of the cows. Not sure what we would get from this process. We are hoping that the process will be a fun learning experience. In the past we have had a lot of new things going on and one more thing just seemed too much, but we took the first step today!
When having the steers processed we requested the hides back and they said we would have to pick it up today before closing, so we did.
We have enjoyed raising the cows in a happy environment with their mothers milk and grass being the main diet. We did not have a problem with bring them to the processor and eating the beef. Everyone asks how can we pet and love an animal and then kill it for consumption and I give them the same answer that I give my (3 yo the first time we did this) 7 year old. If God wanted us to keep the animal he would have given us a girl so we could milk her and let her raise babies. God gave us a boy so that we could nurture our bodies. She is OK with this and understands the process, so it works well for us.
We have always been sad to seem them go, but understanding this is how a farm works. I did not expect to run through a sadden state when we started working with the hide. Seeing their colors and rubbing the salt on the hide was a little more difficult than I thought it would be. We started the process today and I decided that it should be a topic of the blog so that everyone can see the process and finished product! I don't know how much detail I will go into on the blog, but if you desire more detail please feel free to give us a call.
So how do you start? Well, my husband really wanted to do this project so he scan cyberspace until he found several articles about tanning. He compared them and studied the techniques and concepts. This is where we started, before we ever brought the cow in. Sometimes you try to be prepared, but sometimes things don't quite happen like you think they will. I will share the experiences and applications that we will use in this process with you as we go through it!
We are working on 2 at once, which maybe a good thing and may not we will see. The first step is to cure and dry the hide/skin. We had to find a location where the animals domestic (cats and dogs) as well as wild life would not get to the hides and tear them up. So we decided to use the old barn, that is basically storage for now. We cleared a spot and placed a sheet of plywood up off the ground on boxes. Then we laid the first hide flat on the plywood. After ensuring that the skin is flat and doesn't hang off anywhere or buckle around the corners, we placed salt all over the hide and rubbed it in. This will dry out the skin and create a firm/brittle skin with no moisture. We are unsure how long this will take, but the articles that we have read said anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, one even said 2 months. So we will watch the progress and apply more salt where needed.
The excitement has begun and then the thoughts flood through your mind, and Alice's, what do you do with it when you are done? Alice figured out that Cow hide = leather and leather=BOOTS! Don't know if boots will be the end result, but we will see. Maybe just a very lovingly made pair of moccasins. I would like to make a wall hanging or rug out of one, so maybe the fact that it is two will be a good thing. Wish us luck and keep posted for progress!
When having the steers processed we requested the hides back and they said we would have to pick it up today before closing, so we did.
We have enjoyed raising the cows in a happy environment with their mothers milk and grass being the main diet. We did not have a problem with bring them to the processor and eating the beef. Everyone asks how can we pet and love an animal and then kill it for consumption and I give them the same answer that I give my (3 yo the first time we did this) 7 year old. If God wanted us to keep the animal he would have given us a girl so we could milk her and let her raise babies. God gave us a boy so that we could nurture our bodies. She is OK with this and understands the process, so it works well for us.
We have always been sad to seem them go, but understanding this is how a farm works. I did not expect to run through a sadden state when we started working with the hide. Seeing their colors and rubbing the salt on the hide was a little more difficult than I thought it would be. We started the process today and I decided that it should be a topic of the blog so that everyone can see the process and finished product! I don't know how much detail I will go into on the blog, but if you desire more detail please feel free to give us a call.
So how do you start? Well, my husband really wanted to do this project so he scan cyberspace until he found several articles about tanning. He compared them and studied the techniques and concepts. This is where we started, before we ever brought the cow in. Sometimes you try to be prepared, but sometimes things don't quite happen like you think they will. I will share the experiences and applications that we will use in this process with you as we go through it!
We are working on 2 at once, which maybe a good thing and may not we will see. The first step is to cure and dry the hide/skin. We had to find a location where the animals domestic (cats and dogs) as well as wild life would not get to the hides and tear them up. So we decided to use the old barn, that is basically storage for now. We cleared a spot and placed a sheet of plywood up off the ground on boxes. Then we laid the first hide flat on the plywood. After ensuring that the skin is flat and doesn't hang off anywhere or buckle around the corners, we placed salt all over the hide and rubbed it in. This will dry out the skin and create a firm/brittle skin with no moisture. We are unsure how long this will take, but the articles that we have read said anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, one even said 2 months. So we will watch the progress and apply more salt where needed.
The excitement has begun and then the thoughts flood through your mind, and Alice's, what do you do with it when you are done? Alice figured out that Cow hide = leather and leather=BOOTS! Don't know if boots will be the end result, but we will see. Maybe just a very lovingly made pair of moccasins. I would like to make a wall hanging or rug out of one, so maybe the fact that it is two will be a good thing. Wish us luck and keep posted for progress!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Moving through the Hot Summer Months
July is starting with a BANG! In Brazos Valley we are in a burn ban so there were no fireworks, but Texas A & M and George Bush Library had a great Laser Show so that the celebration can go on! God Bless America.
Thank God for a wonderful country in which we can live the lives we are lead to live. We choose to live on the farm and produce good wholesome food! We are glad that our friends can be a part of the farm as well as enjoy the wonderful Nutritional food.
Well enough about my gratitude, now on to the information you have all been waiting for:
Garden:
The garden is growing and growing, we have black-eyed peas, purple hull peas, okra, and squash growing along with egg plant, tomatoes, and banana peppers that are producing. We have been offering baskets (1/2 bushel) for $10. Currently we are sold out for the baskets, but as new items are coming on-line we will add more shares to become available. All of our vegetables are $2.00 a pound, unless you belong to the CSA receiving a basket each week then it is $1.50 a pound. If you want to get on the waiting list to be the next to receive a basket give us a call or e-mail me!
Cows:
The cows are about to have calves! We have one due is July, this month, and another due in September. So if you want to come and see the new babies, keep posted for the birth announcements! Once born you can place a deposit for any bull calves that were born for future grass feed beef. The two steers that are currently spoken for are going to the butcher on July 19th.
We have a new cow that will be breed in August, so she can join the ranks of the other milkers. We are excited as this is the first cow that was actually born on the farm!
Chickens:
We have new laying hens that should start laying, YEA! This will allow us to keep up with the demand for eggs. We are excited about getting the new girls on-line.
We have also been raising chickens for our friends and ourselves. We are excited about how big the chickens are getting. The are looking so good. We are getting ramped up for processing day. We will have a day, September 17th, with all our friends to process our chickens that will allow everyone to have chickens in the freezer for the next 4 months. We will be looking at raising the next group starting in September, so if you would like farm fresh chickens please contact us by e-mail or phone.
WOW we have been busy and enjoying every minute. If you get an itch to stick your hands in dirt or plants some seeds, give us a call and we would be happy for you to come out and help on the farm! There is lots to do and it is always more fun with friends! We like to teach, guide, and work along side our friends. This is a community/family farm and we would like everyone to feel apart!
I am sorry it took me so long to update the blog, I will try to do better in the future, but as you can tell we stay pretty busy on the farm.
Thank God for a wonderful country in which we can live the lives we are lead to live. We choose to live on the farm and produce good wholesome food! We are glad that our friends can be a part of the farm as well as enjoy the wonderful Nutritional food.
Well enough about my gratitude, now on to the information you have all been waiting for:
Garden:
The garden is growing and growing, we have black-eyed peas, purple hull peas, okra, and squash growing along with egg plant, tomatoes, and banana peppers that are producing. We have been offering baskets (1/2 bushel) for $10. Currently we are sold out for the baskets, but as new items are coming on-line we will add more shares to become available. All of our vegetables are $2.00 a pound, unless you belong to the CSA receiving a basket each week then it is $1.50 a pound. If you want to get on the waiting list to be the next to receive a basket give us a call or e-mail me!
Cows:
The cows are about to have calves! We have one due is July, this month, and another due in September. So if you want to come and see the new babies, keep posted for the birth announcements! Once born you can place a deposit for any bull calves that were born for future grass feed beef. The two steers that are currently spoken for are going to the butcher on July 19th.
We have a new cow that will be breed in August, so she can join the ranks of the other milkers. We are excited as this is the first cow that was actually born on the farm!
Chickens:
We have new laying hens that should start laying, YEA! This will allow us to keep up with the demand for eggs. We are excited about getting the new girls on-line.
We have also been raising chickens for our friends and ourselves. We are excited about how big the chickens are getting. The are looking so good. We are getting ramped up for processing day. We will have a day, September 17th, with all our friends to process our chickens that will allow everyone to have chickens in the freezer for the next 4 months. We will be looking at raising the next group starting in September, so if you would like farm fresh chickens please contact us by e-mail or phone.
WOW we have been busy and enjoying every minute. If you get an itch to stick your hands in dirt or plants some seeds, give us a call and we would be happy for you to come out and help on the farm! There is lots to do and it is always more fun with friends! We like to teach, guide, and work along side our friends. This is a community/family farm and we would like everyone to feel apart!
I am sorry it took me so long to update the blog, I will try to do better in the future, but as you can tell we stay pretty busy on the farm.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Summer is ramping up and school activities are calming down!
We have been very busy on the farm, new chickens arrived so we have adults, teenagers, and tots! They are a lot of work, but it is fun to see them grow and play. Sometimes I go sit in the chicken coop and watch them scratch, eat, and play they are very relaxing and humours to watch! We are building chicken tractors because these babies are growing fast! Everyone ready for processing day? I am kind of excited and we have Andrew who is going to help us quarter and cut up our chickens (we might get lucky and he'll give us all a demonstration!)
We are planning for the processing day event which should be fun! Lots of help and lots of learning!
The garden is doing great! We have 3 varieties of squash available and one more is about to be ready! Zucchini is looking good and going fast! We have some cabbage and spinach and Swiss chard still available and the Roma tomatoes should be ready any day now! Banana Peppers are ready too, boy don't they look good! We have pulled up all the lettuce and replanted more crops to follow! OH and the egg plant has the most beautiful purple flowers on it when you come by the farm stop and take a look!
We have been picking lately and got peaches, strawberries, and blueberries so I've been making jam and jam and did i mention jam? It is good and fresh! When you come to the farm remind me and I'll let you know what is still available!
We have been drying up Dixie so she can have her new calf soon, and she is not happy about it, but she will be a good momma, she always is! Let's all cross our fingers for a boy, can you say "Beef: it's whats for dinner"
Alice is having her dance recital this weekend so we will be busy fixing hair, dressing up, and running to rehearsal and performances! We are excited and can't wait to see her shine.
We are planning for the processing day event which should be fun! Lots of help and lots of learning!
The garden is doing great! We have 3 varieties of squash available and one more is about to be ready! Zucchini is looking good and going fast! We have some cabbage and spinach and Swiss chard still available and the Roma tomatoes should be ready any day now! Banana Peppers are ready too, boy don't they look good! We have pulled up all the lettuce and replanted more crops to follow! OH and the egg plant has the most beautiful purple flowers on it when you come by the farm stop and take a look!
We have been picking lately and got peaches, strawberries, and blueberries so I've been making jam and jam and did i mention jam? It is good and fresh! When you come to the farm remind me and I'll let you know what is still available!
We have been drying up Dixie so she can have her new calf soon, and she is not happy about it, but she will be a good momma, she always is! Let's all cross our fingers for a boy, can you say "Beef: it's whats for dinner"
Alice is having her dance recital this weekend so we will be busy fixing hair, dressing up, and running to rehearsal and performances! We are excited and can't wait to see her shine.
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