Production:
–Are you organic? We are not certified organic by the USDA. We prefer to be ‘customer inspected’ and the methods we use in trying to mimic nature could be considered organic, or ‘beyond’ organic. In our gardens and fields we use no chemical fertilizers, insecticides, or herbicides. For fertility we utilize compost, manures, rock minerals, and green cover crops. None of our crops are genetically modified. Our animals are not fed antibiotics or growth hormones and are housed in a way that imitates their natural environments.
–Do you use GMO’s? In our gardens none of the crops we grow are genetically modified. We focus on open-pollinated and heirloom varieties. To supplement what our chickens forage, we feed them a locally ground feed that is GMO-free. We are blessed to have finally been able to source all the GMO-free grains needed for the feed. Since practically all corn and soybeans are GMO, it is very hard to find affordable GMO-free grains.
–Do you use any chemicals on your crops? We do not use any chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides on our crops. The only chemical fertilizer on our farm I know of might be a trace amount in the potting soil we have been using to start seedlings in. For improving the fertility in our fields we use compost, mulch, manure, and rock fertilizers.
–Are your chickens free-range? Our chickens are not kept in barns away from sunlight and fresh air. Our laying hens are housed in a portable coop and can range out from it within a quarter acre enclosure of solar powered, electrified netting that is designed to keep predators out. This enclosure and the coop are moved on a weekly basis to fresh forage. We do not let our chickens simply ‘range free’ without protection around the farm anymore, after losing hundreds over the past several years to coyotes, raccoons, opossums, and hawks. However, they have plenty of room to forage, scratch, run, take dust baths, chase bugs, and do the other things chickens love to do! Click to see a video of our chicken setup. Our meat chickens are housed in floorless shelters commonly called ‘chicken tractors’ that are moved daily across our pasture to fresh grass. Occasionally we will let them range out of their shelters and will close them back up if they begin to be predated by hawks.
–What do your feed your chickens? In addition to what they forage, we feed our chickens a locally ground, GMO-free grain ration from Coosa Valley Milling. Coosa Valley Milling is owned and run by Mr. Frank McEwen, producer of the famous organic McEwen Grits. Our feed contains locally grown, GMO-free corn, GMO-free oats and wheat, GMO-free roasted soybeans, calcium (for the laying ration to strengthen egg shells), molasses, fish meal (chickens are not vegetarians and need more than plant protein), and an organic mineral and pro-biotic supplement.
Buying from our Farm:
–Why do I have to be a member to buy from you? The reason we are selling most of our products to people who are members of our farm is so that we can build relationships with our customers and better serve them. It also allows us to spend less time on marketing and more time growing good food! Our customers are able to feel they are part of the farm.
–What is CSA? CSA stands for community supported agriculture. CSA typically involves a farmer and farm members joining together with members helping fund production in return for a share of the harvest instead of buying individual products.
–What if I don’t live near any of the pickup locations? Because we are a small farm with limited labor and have to guard our time on the farm we try to keep our delivery schedule simple. Right now our pickup regions are local/Sylacauga/Alexander City and Birmingham. If you happen to live in a different area (say Auburn or Montgomery) then we will probably not start delivering there until we have enough members to make it worth it. However, you can set up a buying club with people in your area and come pickup from the farm. If you have any questions about pickup locations please communicate with us on our contact page.
For Members:
–How do I pay for my membership fee or products? At checkout you are given the option of paying with check or Paypal. For purchases over $100 dollars you will have the option of paying $100 down and making the rest in small payments. If you choose check you will be sent an invoice and will be expected to pay before or at delivery.
–How do I know when products are available for purchase in the store? When you sign up for a buying club membership you will be added to an email list where you will receive updates notifying you of when our buying club stores will be open. Typically we will open up our stores for orders during a set window of time for a particular drop-off.
–How do I purchase products as a buying club member? When we have products begin to come in you will receive an email notifying you that the online store will be open for orders during a particular window of time. You can then log in and fill up your cart with the items you want.
–I placed an order. When will I get my product? As a buying club member you will select a pickup day and location for orders during checkout. You will be notified via email of the exact date. As a CSA share member you will be notified of pickup times via email after you sign up.
