Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Organic, Pasture-Raised Turkey 2016 Orders are Now Accepted



Christmas is closer than you think! Pre-order your organic, pasture-raised turkey from Elmwood Stock Farm today. Our heritage-breed and standard-breed turkeys are available to reserve online (view sizes and prices here) to be shipped to you or picked up locally. (More on that below.)

All of Elmwood Stock Farm's turkeys are processed under USDA organic inspection and are freshly frozen for food safety.



ABOUT ORGANIC, PASTURE-RAISED TURKEY

As one of only a few farms in the US to raise organic, heritage-breed turkeys, we are proud to have these, as well as organic broad-breasted turkeys to offer. We appreciate your interest in serving a locally produced, organic turkey—you can taste the difference, and you will know you are serving the best!




Everything we raise at Elmwood Stock Farm, in Scott County, Ky., just outside Georgetown, is USDA certified organic. Our turkeys are also free ranging, kept outdoors on grass pasture and fed wholesome, organic grains, resulting in moist, flavorful turkey without the use of synthetic inputs, flavor additives or stimulants.

Pasture-based grass farming has recognizable health benefits, resulting in a product with good saturated fats and high in omega-3 fatty acids. The use of certified-organic grain means our turkeys are more expensive to produce, but you can take comfort knowing no genetically modified grain and no synthetic chemicals are used in your food. Organic certification ensures third-party verification of our production practices and ultimately results in better health for you and your family this Thanksgiving season.

The Louisville Courier-Journal visited Elmwood Stock Farm in October 2015 to learn about local turkey production. Check out the video and article with Elmwood’s Mac Stone.







ABOUT HERITAGE TURKEYS

Elmwood Stock Farm's heritage-breed turkeys are “Recommended” in a Cook's Illustrated taste test. Ours is the only organic turkey to receive such a distinction from the magazine.
From Cook's Illustrated: "This turkey was 'super tender and juicy,' with white meat 'so rich in flavor that it tastes like dark meat.' The dark meat was even more tender and flavorful, prompting one taster to ask, 'Is this dark turkey or pulled pork? So fall-apart tender that it’s almost shredding itself.' 'Rich without gamy notes,' the meat had a 'texture like velvet.'"
A heritage turkey is not one particular breed, but made up of a group of breeds. At Elmwood, we care year-round for our own breeding flock in order to raise Narragansett (the oldest-known American turkey breed), Slate turkeys (found on Slow Food’s Ark of Taste, which promotes the survival of near-extinct foods), and a few Bourbon Red turkeys (named after neighboring Bourbon County, Ky.).

Some characteristics that distinguish these very rare heritage turkeys from the standard, broad-breasted variety are slower growth, more proportionate breasts to legs and the ability to naturally breed. They are naturally smaller birds with a slimmer, longer shape (not round, like grocery-store varieties that are bred only for fast growth). There is a better balance between the dark meat and white meat, which means roasting a bird to perfection is easier, and the meat has a richer flavor. The skin may also be a different color than the near-transparent white, as skin color is related to feather color, and these heritage breeds are not all white. Review prices and sizes before you make your order.

As more is known about vanishing breeds of heritage livestock, efforts are underway to promote awareness and prevent the extinction of animals like Bourbon Red, Slate and Narragansett turkeys. The addition of heritage turkeys to Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste promoted the idea that developing a culinary market for these traditional turkeys is necessary to protecting the species’ biodiversity. If farmers are supported in maintaining breeding birds, the population of these breeds will be promoted to lesser degrees of endangerment. Learn more about heritage turkeys and the efforts being taken to raise public awareness about through The Livestock Conservancy.







ABOUT STANDARD TURKEYS 

Broad-Breasted Bronze turkeys are similar in size and shape to a supermarket-purchased turkey, but the similarities end right there! Our turkeys are raised outdoors in our pastured system that provides a diet enriched by grasses, fresh air, adequate exercise, and sunlight. Our bronze feathered turkeys free-range on fresh green grass or clover pastures supplemented with wholesome organic grains, resulting in moist, flavorful turkey. Review sizes and prices before placing your order.


2016 SHIPPING AND PICKUP



Preorder your turkey from us for local pickup or for shipping. Be sure to review available sizes and prices before you contact us. We need to know what type of bird you want (heritage or standard), what size, and where you'd like to pick it up or have it shipped.


In Lexington
Turkeys can be picked up on Saturdays in December at the downtown Lexington Farmers Market.

In Georgetown
You can make arrangements with us to pick up your turkey at the farm (just east of Georgetown) the week before Christmas.

In Louisville
We offer pickup in Louisville on the morning of Thursday, December 15th.

In Cincinnati
You may pick up your turkey in Cincinnati on the afternoon of Thursday, December 22nd, at the Madeira Farmers Market or on Sunday, December 18th, at the Hyde Park Winter Farmers Market.  

2016 Shipping
Shipping is available within the Continental US for an additional fee for insulated packaging and UPS 2- Day Air. Shipping charges vary depending on your location and the size/weight of your turkey. Click here to visit Local Harvest for shipping quotes and to place an order for our turkey to be shipped to you. Be sure to let us know what type (heritage or standard) and size you would like, as well as your full shipping address.




ABOUT ELMWOOD STOCK FARM


Elmwood Stock Farm is a 6th-generation family farm that began as a producer of Black Angus breeding-stock cattle. The cattle are still an important part of the farm ecosystem and farm business, though over the past decade, the farm has branched out to produce a variety of organic vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs and cornmeal. Elmwood is committed to healthy and wholesome production of superior, high-quality, fresh farm products. Organic certification and close family involvement ensure that safe and sustainable farming practices are followed, livestock are well cared for, and land and water conservation remain a priority.

Visit our website for more information, follow the farm on Facebook, enjoy farm-life photos on Instagram, and keep up with our favorite recipes on Pinterest. Or call us at 859-621-0755 with any questions.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

USDA Certified Organic Turkeys 2016 Season



At Elmwood Stock Farm, we are now taking pre-orders for our organic specialty breed turkeys. We take orders by phone or email prior to the holidays, and payment is made at pickup or prior to shipping. All of our turkeys are processed under USDA organic inspection and will be freshly frozen for food safety.

LOCAL PICKUP for 2016:
Turkeys can be picked up
(1) in Lexington the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving (Nov. 19th this year) at the downtown Lexington farmers market;
(2) at the farm outside of Georgetown on Friday or Monday (Nov. 18th or 21st);
(3) in Cincinnati on Thursday Nov. 17th at the Madeira Farmers Market or Sunday November 20th at the Hyde Park Winter Farmers Market; OR
(4) in Louisville on Thursday morning Nov. 17th. 


SHIPPING for 2016:
Shipping is also available within the Continental US for an additional fee for insulated packaging and UPS 2 Day. The amount will vary depending on your location and size/weight of your turkey. Click here to visit Local Harvest for shipping quotes and to place an order for our turkey to be SHIPPED to you.

As one of only a few farms in the US to raise organic certified heritage breed turkeys, we are proud to have these special turkeys to offer. We appreciate your interest in serving a locally produced, organic turkey – you can taste the difference and you will know you are serving the best! 


Elmwood's Heritage Breed Turkeys are Recommended by Cook's Illustrated, the only Organic Turkey to receive such distinction. "This turkey was “supertender and juicy,” with white meat “so rich in flavor that it tastes like dark meat.” The dark meat was even more tender and flavorful, prompting one taster to ask, “Is this dark turkey or pulled pork? So fall-apart tender that it’s almost shredding itself.” “Rich without gamy notes,” the meat had a “texture like velvet.” Click Here to read the review.




ALL TURKEYS at Elmwood Stock Farm in Scott County outside of Georgetown are Organic Certified free ranging turkeys that are raised outdoors on grass pasture. They are raised the old-fashioned way, on fresh green grass and clover pastures with wholesome grains, resulting in moist, flavorful turkey. Not only are Elmwood turkeys raised naturally, free from any synthetic inputs, flavor additives, or stimulants, but everything that every turkey eats is organically raised grain or grass pasture.

Pasture-based grass farming has recognizable health benefits resulting in a product with good saturated fats and high omega-3 fatty acids. The use of certified organic grain means our turkeys are more expensive to produce, but you can take comfort knowing no GMO grain and no synthetic chemicals are used in your food. Organic Certification ensures third party verification of our production practices and ultimately results in better health for you and your family this Thanksgiving season.




HERITAGE Breed -- A heritage turkey is not one particular breed, but made up of a group of breeds. At Elmwood, we care year-round for our own breeding flock in order to raise Narragansett (the oldest known American turkey breed), Slate turkeys (found on Slow Food’s Ark of Taste that promotes the survival of near-extinct foods), and a few Bourbon Red turkeys (named after neighboring Bourbon County KY).


Some characteristics that distinguish these very rare Heritage turkeys from the standard broad breasted variety are slower growth, more proportionate breasts to legs, and the ability to naturally breed. There is a better balance between the dark meat and white meat, which means roasting a bird to perfection is much easier, and the meat has a richer flavor.


Heritage turkeys will never be as large as broad breasted turkeys, though they eat certified organic grain and graze our grass and legume pastures, resulting in the healthiest, most flavorful, best turkey you will ever taste. 


Heritage Breed Organic Turkey 2016 Season, price for local pickup: 




Expected dressed weight: under 7 pounds - $ 69.00

Expected dressed weight: 7 – 8.9 pounds - $ 109.00

Expected dressed weight: 9 – 10.9 pounds - $ 129.00
Expected dressed weight: 11-13.9 pounds - $ 149.00

Expected dressed weight: 14 - 16.9 pounds - $169.00

Contact Elmwood Stock Farm


STANDARD Broad Breasted Breed – These broad breasted bronze turkeys are similar in size and shape to a supermarket purchased turkey, but the similarities end right there! Our turkeys are raised outdoors in our pastured system that provides a diet enriched by grasses, fresh air, adequate exercise, and sunlight. Our bronze feathered turkeys free-range on fresh green grass or clover pastures supplemented with wholesome organic grains, resulting in moist, flavorful turkey.


Standard Broad Breasted Bronze Organic Turkey 2016 Season, price for local pickup:


Expected dressed weight: 17 - 18.9 pounds - $ 129.00
Expected dressed weight: 14 – 16.9 pounds - $ 119.00
Expected dressed weight: 12 – 13.9 pounds - $ 109.00
Expected dressed weight: 22 - 24 pounds - $ 139.00
Expected dressed weight: 25 - 29 pounds - $149.00

Contact Elmwood Stock Farm 

The costs of cheap food are hidden in healthcare, environmental cleanup, and dependence on pharmaceuticals. You might have heard the phrase “Visit the farm, not the (f)pharmacy,” to establish a personal path between good nutrition and good health. The many months to care for heritage turkeys and the use of certified organic grains for better animal health results in high production costs. The resulting high purchase price for specialty turkeys reflects the true costs of safe and wholesome food.


When Slow Food USA added American heritage turkeys to its Ark of Taste, it tremendously helped to spread the knowledge that eating these turkeys is necessary in order to support the maintaining of breeding birds and moving the breeds to lesser degrees of endangerment.

To learn more about Heritage Turkeys visit the website for the American Livestock Breeds Conservatory. As more is known about vanishing breeds of heritage livestock, efforts are underway to promote awareness and prevent the extinction of animals like Bourbon Red, Slate and Narragansett turkeys.


The Louisville Courier-Journal visited the farm last fall and here is a video they made of Elmwood's farmer and turkeys.


Contact Us to let us know what size turkey to reserve for you and when you want to pick it up! 
Elmwood Stock Farm is located outside of Georgetown, Kentucky. The family farmers manage 550 acres and produce USDA Certified Organic grass-fed Beef, Poultry, Lamb, Eggs and Vegetables. Elmwood offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm Share program and attends the Lexington Farmers Market each week, open year round on Saturdays downtown. To purchase items outside of CSA and farmers market, contact the farm.

Visit the website for more information, follow the farm on Facebook, and enjoy farm life photos on Instagram and Pinterest. Or phone 859-621-0755.