November News on the Farm

By Ron Eichner

Hi folks, November is the last full month of fall. Most of my vegetable fields look dormant, and the last field of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale are still being harvested. The archery season for deer is entering the rut season, and bucks are chasing does to mate. Camo clad archers are lurking in the woods to harvest some deer.

November begins with All Saints’ Day, a Christian solemnity celebrated in honor of all the saints in the church. It is followed by All Souls’ Day on November 2, which commemorates the faithful departed. November 3 is the end of daylight savings, and it stops at 2:00 a.m., so set your clocks back one hour. November 5 is Election Day. Don’t forget to vote! Every vote counts; like any sport, it may be won by one vote.

Veterans Day is November 11, a federal holiday in the United States for honoring military veterans in the armed forces. World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. An armistice was signed between the Allied Powers and Germany in Compiegne, France. Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. The November full moon, traditionally called the Beaver Moon, will emerge on Friday, November 15.

On our family farm, November is a hectic month. For decades, we were the only farm to raise day-old turkeys for 19 weeks, and we processed them on our farm for 500 plus farm customers each year. The demand is great, and I could sell two or three thousand turkeys; however, we are blessed to have the help of 20 friends and family members to process our 500-plus turkeys, which takes two days. Even if I would increase our turkey count to 1,000, I would have no family or friends left to help process turkeys.

A frequently asked question is, “What is the life of a turkey like?” The day-old poults get a vitamin, an electrolyte mix added to their water for two weeks, and vegetable-based turkey starter feed supplemented with probiotics, essential oils, and herbs to support their health. Then, they’re fed vegetable-based grower for nine weeks and, finally, a turkey finisher for the last four weeks. They only require feed, water and rousting to keep them happy. I express countless times to both flocks of turkeys “the joy they will bring to our customer’s tables.”

November is the penultimate month of the year. Our family members born in November include Emily (16th), Michelle (20th), and the farm twins Don and Ron (21st). It’s no secret that those born in November are known for being cool and enthusiastic.

  If you fear how big a farm grows crops, produces livestock, and poultry, and then processes them for the retail needs of an area store, you can visit our family farm throughout the year. Witness how our four farming seasons are “from our farm to your tables.” The educational experience can benefit not only you but also your kids and grandkids.

Finally, Thanksgiving is November 28, the fourth Thursday of the month. It’s a national holiday when family and friends gather to give thanks, and thank God and enjoy a traditional meal often including a turkey.

Feel free to make our family farm a year-long destination and experience farm goodness that is homemade instead of mass, over-produced, packed with preservatives. Start your day with high-energy eggs, a side of homemade bacon, and six different types of lean pork sausages. Our meat case is packed with homemade beef, pork, and lamb products made at our farm or at our farm partner’s Thoma Meat Market, a family-owned business in Saxonburg. Seasonal fruits and vegetables that are homegrown, as well as dairy products, milk, and cheese from Pasture Maid Creamery of New Castle are also featured. Our homemade pie crusts are filled with apple and fruit fillings topped with a crumb crust. Diane’s homemade biscotti, Carole’s candies and fudge, and Michelle’s homemade cookies by the dozen will satisfy your needs each and every day. Local light and dark honey and Yatzor’s maple syrup are available in many sizes. McCutcheon’s homemade jellies, preserves, and fruit spreads are also available.

Our family farm is nestled in the valley and sometimes expressed as “Wexford’s Best Kep Secret.” Our farm market is open seven days a week, year-round. Dare to break away from the grocery stores. Our farm can be a true destination, and you can experience farm freshness. We want to wish you all, family and friends, a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. Visit us at 285 Richard Road, Wexford, and make Eichner’s Whole Farm and Greenhouses a destination and discover “the rest of the story.”