Ahavah Farm - Local. Sustainable. Pure

I have been prompted, more than once, to give a summary of what it REALLY takes to grow (regenerative and pure) food in the winter here in Colorado, at 7,000ft, in one of the roughest and most terrible locations in the country - all while doing so with no supplemental heating, tractors or chemicals. IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?  It sure is!  Here is what our greenhouses (unheated) look like in the winter:  Not only is it possible to grow food in the winter in these conditions, but here are some of the results from 2018: Beautiful, right?  Yes.  Piece of cake, right?  Not so much. In the winter, it takes a lot more than you would think to do this and there are MANY obstacles to growing in the winter.  Things like:  Row cover maintenance (and cost), varieties, regeneration time, diseases, frozen pipes, irrigation, processing, greenhouse temperatures, ventilation and more. ROW COVER - What is it and how is it managed? Row cover ...

I remember one time being at the Farmer's Market and a woman asked me if we were "Organic." I told her about how we went well beyond "Organic" and she laughed. Really. Out loud. She didn't believe that Organic wasn't pure. Little do people know how sad the Organic certification has become and how little it resembles pure food. Better than GMO? Yes! But, really, it's almost like comparing Cyanide to Sugar. Sure, sugar is much better than Cyanide, but it by no means is going to cure you from cancer! Sugar is still not good for you...and dare I say, perhaps "Organic" isn't either. Check out this eye-opening article that I came across from don'twastethecrumbs.com where it lists the top 14 things that the Organic Industry is hiding from you, the consumer.  Then, after you are thoroughly disgusted, you can leave your thoughts below. http://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2015/03/14-facts-the-organic-industry-doesnt-want-you-to-know/

Beyond-Organic. Beyond-Sustainable. Beyond-Labels. Tag-lines. Catch-Phrases. Labels… Greenwashing.  We HATE labels.  Really, what are they but marketing tools anyway?  We have them and use them like everyone else, but really,   how do you know if your farmer truly is what he/she says they are?   They say they are “Regenerative,” “Beyond-Organic,” “Pure,” “Sustainable” and that their animals are “Grass-fed,” “Pasture Raised,” “Humanely Raised,” “Free-Ranged,” but are they REALLY?  There’s only one way to know for sure.  That’s why  we open our farm to the public for tours, to come and volunteer, to visit our farm store (open Spring 2018) and see the property , to visit with our animals, to walk our fields and ultimately to build a relationship with YOU!  Want to see what we use for fertilizer? Ask! Want to see the condition the chicken’s live in?...

What makes orange yolks that are the trade-mark of free-range hens? The dark color of the yolk is due to the chickens' diet of bugs and greens - specifically carotenoids. In the summer our egg yolks turn dark orange and are beautiful. However, because it is winter, the chickens have very few bugs and virtually no greens (except what we give them in addition to their feed). Thus, our egg yolks are paler than usual. This doesn't mean they are lacking any nutritional content. In fact, companies like Egglands Best (yuck!) supplement their chicken feed with artificial ingredients to promote the darker color and thus fool their customers. Let us be very clear: Our chickens roam our land all day long. They scratch and peck and have a fully 100% organic diet. We supplement with only 100% certified organic grain and they are as healthy as any birds you will ever see. Our chickens are beyond organic, well-loved, well-cared for and completely free-range with...

Why CSA?  Community Supported Agriculture is a way to support local, build community and eat healthier.  Community Supported Agriculture is a program that is both beneficial for the farmer, and for those who are enjoying the fresh produce and eggs.  Many people want the fresh, organic produce that comes from local farms.   They get excited about the idea of reducing their carbon footprint, supporting local agriculture and feeling healthier.  However, in order for this food to be available, in order for the farmer to return year after year to the market, the farmers need YOU!  Like any business, without loyal support, the business will fail.  CSA programs help the small farmer in many ways including guaranteeing that they will be around from year to year and it allows the farmer to gain some front-loaded funds in order to purchase seed, tools and other supplies for the upcoming season.  During good seasons, the members receive a huge bo...

When you don't get government handouts, don't force-molt your hens, don't keep your hens in battery cages, don't mess with the hen's natural laying cycle by not using lights in the winter etc., but feed the  hens pure, organic feed while allowing them to roam the land free as a bird (pun intended), the real cost for eggs is much higher than you would expect.  According to David Robinson Simon, author of "Meatonomics" (2013), the real cost of organic eggs should be $13.00!   Our eggs? They are $7.00 per dozen, here's why... Here's our own personal math for the cost of our eggs: Cost of feed per week per hen...........$0.86 (2.1 lb per week X $0.41) Eggs laid per week per hen..................2.96 (% productivity X 52 Weeks) Number of hens to make a dozen...... 4.054 Cost of feed per dozen eggs...............$3.48  Cost of egg carton..............................$0.33 Cost of Labels (2)...............................$0.30 Cost of utiliti...