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The Newest News on the Farm
Welcome to March, where many of you may be familiar with the saying, "In like a lion, out like a lamb". When March starts, it's still winter, and by the end of the month spring ideally has begun. Remember the first day of spring is officially March 19, 2024!
We were able to complete our combining early, at the tail end of February. Optimal weather conditions are needed, with no snow on the corn and temperatures cold enough for the ground to be hard. Minus the ice that we had to deal with in late January.
March is also the month we will start our repairs on our spring cropping equipment, the plows, harrows and seed planter. Our manure pit is nearing its capacity and needs to be emptied. Nothing is ever as big as you'd like it, so now it is full and needs to be emptied. We will use a liquid manure pump to suck the waste matter into a liquid manure truck equipped with a large holding tank. We then drive the truck onto the field that we want to spread upon. We endearingly call the manure "liquid gold" since it is the least expensive and best fertilizer to use. This nutrient dense waste material really helps our crops to grow!
Adding to our crew of farmyard friends meet "Chip" the Australian Shephard we recently rescued. He was in need of a home but no longer. He has one now and he gets along great with the cows, pigs and our other canines Sammy, Luna and Sky. Chip is friendly and always has a ball at all times, ready for someone to throw it to him.
Refer A Friend Program
We are excited to announce the launching of our "Refer a Friend" program at Ortman Farms. Existing customers who provide a new customer referral (name and contact info) that is currently not in our database will receive a $5 Ortman Farms Gift Card that doesn't expire.
Cooler Box Protection
Want peace of mind that your Ortman Farms purchase isn't going to get damaged or spoiled between the time when we deliver and your arrival home? We can arrange for you to get your own cooler box where we can place your perishable meat products to protect from the elements, especially in the upcoming warmer summer months. Interested? Contact us for pricing options and to get set up.
Community Involvement
Ortman Farms is partnered with Parishville-Hopkinton and Massena Central School Districts. Our pasture raised beef and pork is being prepared by the cafeteria staff into various nutritious lunchtime dishes for the students and faculty.
Farm Fresh Facts
Just a couple of fun animal facts!
1. Cows are colorblind, they cannot see the color red.
2. Pigs have poor vision and can only see along the side of their heads.
3. Geese thrive in groups and have a definite pecking order.
4. A hen (female chicken) that is especially fussy is known as a "Biddy".
5. Cats have 30 muscles that control their ears.
6. The Australian Shephard is actually an American dog breed.
Culinary Creations
The month of March also brings the religious and cultural holiday of St. Patrick's Day which is celebrated on the 17th of March each year. Corned beef and cabbage is a well known signature dish to enjoy with friends and family as you celebrate. We at Ortman Farms recommend using beef brisket in your corned beef and cabbage dish.
Or maybe try Irish Coddle, a stew consisting of bacon, sausage, onions, potatoes, parsley and black pepper. Serve either dish with slices of Irish soda bread and maybe a "Guiness", the iconic Irish stout beer, to wash it all down with.