Wyebrook Farm

One of the beautiful buildings at Wyebrook Farm

In light of the fact my kitchen is still a total mess of boxes making a recipe/food post virtually impossible, I thought it might be a good time to introduce everyone to one of my favorite finds of the summer.  While Dan and I were in Chester County, Pennsylvania in May, we paid a visit to Wyebrook Farm.  For anyone who believes in and supports sustainable agricultural practices and happens to be in the greater Philadelphia area, this is an absolute must see.

Dean Carlson tending the lamb

Dean Carlson is the force behind Wyebrook having arrived at sustainable farming after a fifteen year career on Wall Street.  Wall Street's loss is the world of healthy eating's gain.  On a personal level, I was thrilled to meet Dean and visit the farm after my three year journey of healthy eating which began after reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  While visiting the farm, Dean was tending a leg of lamb over a open fire, and we got to chatting about the books and activists who inspired us....Michael Pollan, Nina Planck, and Eliot Coleman to name a few.   He mentioned that he created Wyebrook as not only a working farm, but a learning opportunity for children and adults alike.

In addition to the farm, there is a market located in the upper portion of the beautifully restored barn and a cafe' on the lower level.  The market is open Friday through Sunday and offers a selection of the farm's meat, cheese, eggs, produce, and plants.  When we were there, we purchased some of their hamburger and a carton of eggs.  I had frequently read about being able to judge the freshness of eggs based on how high the yolk sat.  When I cracked these eggs in the pan, not only did the yolk sit high, but the white did as well.

Finished on grass

As a lacto ovo pescatarian, I didn't try the hamburger, but both Dan and my Mom said the flavor was exceptional.  The two things I did notice when I was cooking the burgers was that there was virtually no grease that cooked out of the meat and the burgers did not shrink at all.  Frequently, we non-meat eaters get a bad rap as people who don't think anyone should eat meat.  The bottom line is I don't mind if my husband eats meat.  He can eat all the meat he wants.  My one stipulation is that it must be humanely raised, finished on grass, and void of hormones and antibiotics. 

When we visited, the farm had just posted their summer concert series.  Wyebrook can also provide a magical backdrop for your private party or wedding complete with ingredients fresh from the farm.  Also in the works is a series of chefs dinners hosted in the renovated barn.

The market in the renovated barn

 But rather than waiting for a special occasion, give yourself the gift of visiting a farm that stands firm on the philosophy that our food should be safe and healthy.  Sadly, many people have no idea that a great deal of their food supply is from CAFOs or farms that choose grossly unhealthy practices for the animals, workers, and consumer.  Go see how it should be done.  Take your children for a fun day on the farm and celebrate and support Dean and his staff at Wyebrook Farm. 

Let me leave you with a quote from Wendell Berry's What Are People For? that is posted on the farm's website, "I dislike the thought that some animal has been made miserable to feed me.  If I am going to eat meat, I want it to be from an animal that has lived a pleasant, uncrowded life outdoors, on bountiful pasture, with good water nearby and trees for shade."

Wyebrook Farm: 150 Wyebrook Road, Honey Brook, PA  19344  (610) 942-7481.  wyebrookfarm.com

 

Here a Chick, There a Chick, Everywhere a Chick Chick

Silver Laced Wyandotte

I might not have all my ducks in a row, but I do have my chickens lined up....so to speak.  While there aren't any boxes of peeps arriving from a hatchery this Easter, I do have my eye on a few breeds for our future hobby farm in Maine. Through my research, I've also come across some amazing chicken coops that range from the stunningly beautiful to the uniquely whimsical, but I'll save those for a future post.

Buff Orphington

First off, you don't need a rooster to produce eggs.  Second, backyard chickens aren't going to smell like the dreadful CAFOs everyone has become well aware of in recent years.  Third, you don't need a huge farm to keep a nice group of layers.  That being said, there are chickens who are used primarily for meat....not in our house....there are chickens who excel at egg laying and there are chickens who do both and are referred to as dual purpose breeds.  There are also ornamental breeds who can produce eggs and meat, but are better known for their fancy appearance.

Barred Plymouth Rock

Why do I want chickens?  The answer you would probably get from my husband and mother is because I'm a nut.  On the contrary, backyard chickens are gaining quite a following in cities, towns, and suburbs around the country.  Everyone can't be nutty.  Right?  A highly productive chicken can lay an egg every other day.  They are excellent for fertilizing the land, especially when housed in a mobile coop.  But most important for us, we are concerned about the antibiotics, hormones, and inhumane conditions that run rampant in the poultry industry in our country.

Dominique flock

How did I come to my selected list of potential breeds?  Knowing we want to live in Maine, the birds would have to be cold tolerant.  I am very proud that Dan now knows chickens in colder climates have smaller combs to alleviate the possibility of frostbite.  As we were solely interested in egg production, I eliminated meat breeds and ornamentals.  I sought out calm, highly productive breeds that were friendly, docile, easily handled, and kept well in confinement.  Based on all those factors, I ended up with a list of six first-string potentials with a few back-up candidates.  My list....in no particular order....Silver Laced Wyandottes, Buff Orphingtons, Plymouth Rocks, New Hampshire Reds, Marans, and Dominiques.

New Hampshire Red

More than breed type, the question I am most frequently asked is what do I intend to name them.  In light of the fact we are also considering having ducks, geese, and turkeys (no names for turkeys as they would be for meat), I would like to follow a theme in naming each poultry flocks.....perhaps writers, artists, actresses, or famous chefs.  It might be great fun to name the chickens after actresses; Betty Davis, Lauren Bacall, Greta Garbo, Lucille Ball, and Grace Kelly.  The big question?  If you named one Meryl Streep would she cluck with a different accent everyday?

Just in time for Easter.....the famous chocolate-colored Marans' eggs