SEXTON RANCHES - THE RANCH ROUND UP!

A Peak at the Beginnings of Summer 2011 at Sexton Ranches

2011-06-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

Ernest - Our 16 year old Retired McNab - Watches the crew setting up the free range chicken pasture

Sami Helping to setup the Free Range Hen pasture - can you find Lefty, our dog? The grass is TALL! And, as you can see by Sami's attire... it was still cold!

Whole Lotta Grass in the yard (my nemesis) and Sheep in the background

A closer look at the sheep (the same field where the kids go explore Warm Springs Creek)

Free Range Hens 2011 - In their grassy digs!

Closer View of the Hens (surrounded by hot wire - with open access to grass and fresh air 24/7)

The Back yard and our Blooming Apple Tree - Signs of Spring!!!

Me.. Wondering why the grass is always taller in the yard!


Rotational Grazing - showing our grass-fed and grass-finished market cattle, that get moved 2x a day

Grass Line Comparison - New grass on the left - Old on the right (one strand of hot wire separates them) (See the pasture poultry pens on the left? They are currently vacant - the first and second batch of pasture poultry are 'growing' under heat lamps!)

Good Morning happy cattle! Nothing beats good grass and sunshine

You lookin' at me????

Last week I was in South Dakota for the Western Organization of Resource Council's Board and Staff meeting. While I was gone, two very significant things happened: #1: SPRING finally arrived, and #2: The kids celebrated their last week of school (this is the first year I missed their last day of school!!!). I also came home to trees blooming, leaves bursting, kids and their dad staying up late (9:30pm or 10:00 pm seems to be their new schedule) and about a foot of grass in the yard.

May and June are big 'grass chasing months'. I chase the yard grass on a John Deere Riding Mower, between rain storms, and Dick and the kids chase grass either by irrigating or moving animals.

And that is what our summers are all about. Growing Grass. Harvesting Grass. Selling Grass fed and grass finished meats (eggs from free range hens, pasture poultry, grass-fed lamb, grass-fed beef).

And, here is a typical summer day:
The crew gets woken up at 6:30 am, fed, and off to work they go. Mej? Up about 5am.

7:30 am Sami feeds the free-range hens, and then goes on 'guard duty' (watching for the egg eaters)
Jake goes with his dad to irrigate and move the market beef
Noon: Lunch and nap time.
1:30pm Egg gathering, washing and boxing time
4:30pm Move the market beef- again
5:00 pm Feed the free range hens (again)
7:00 pm Feed the crew- if the world spun just right that day then all will be fed and snuggled in for the evening.

On Fridays? It's get ready for the Portland Market - After loading up, checking any pre-orders, and packing for the weekend, Dick will take one of the kids, and they return Saturday night. Whom ever is left behind does all the chores...

And, let me tell you. Every single time Dick leaves the ranch, something goes wrong! This weekend Sami and I were the 'home crew'. Four of the market steers had escaped their grassy digs during Friday night and we had to round them up and find the source of the escape. Turned out one of the border fences was NOT hot! We are lucky the gate to the field was closed. There is nothing worse than having livestock on a highway, let alone trying to round them up!

Needless to say, we had a busy 'unplanned' morning!

In about two or three weeks things will get real hectic. We then start hauling chickens/lambs/beef to the processors, and alternate with going to the storage to either get meat or store it, and of course, bring product back. The processor is about 150 miles away. Whomever gets to drive, has to hit the road at 6am - which means, being out about 5am to load the critters!

Yes, Spring and Summer have arrived. It truly is the BEST time of the year, especially when the kids are out of school. Today's adventure? The kids packed up their own lunch, and left about 11am to go explore at the creek where they try to catch baby trout and take siestas in the sun. They said they would be back about 1:30 pm. They did have an adventure! Their mud boots were full of water, clothes were soaking wet, and Sami shared a story about one boot almost getting away! Both had nice long naps when they got home!

How lucky are they to explore - so freely? Just like their father did on the ranch he grew up on, and his father and so on - six generations worth!

And that.. is summer... here at Sexton Ranches!

p.s. Don't forget Father's Day is next weekend! And, June Deliveries are this Friday in Eastern Oregon, and Friday the 24th in Boise. Please email Andi by Wednesday if you have an order!

Revisiting Sunshine's Duckings - March 2011 Potland Market starts This Saturday!

2011-03-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Remember these little ducklings? Back in September?


Sami put duck eggs under this Chicken Mama - Sunshine,	who in turn, hatched them, and became their mama!

She's a Good mama! Looking out for predators! Look at her little apprentice!

Here is one of those Ducklings!


Fast Forward to February! The ducklings love to get on the deck and 'surf' down the stairs! Just kidding.. but they do love the deck!

More recent... As in this last weekend. Another Chicken with the ducklings eating popcorn!


And Sunshine is actually over on the left side - not far from the ducklings who are now bigger than her!

***********************

Today is March 17th - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The sun is out showing all it's glory today - between the forecasted snow and rain storms (for the next 10 days) - with the promise of Spring! And speaking of Spring, tomorrow starts 'our' Spring Break! Yes! The kids and I are taking a road trip to California to be with 'my people'! I grew up with a great group of friends and we are getting together to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of our own!!!! Watch Out Chico, California!!!!! Yes.. 50's. Mine isn't until next year... oh boy...

And, at the same time, Dick starts the Portland PSU Market this Saturday! The Markets are starting back up! Crazy...

He will be there every single Saturday he will be in Portland (the plan, as of today).

Our next winter deliveries and EASTER deliveries are scheduled for April 11th (Eastern Oregon) and April 15th (Boise Area).

Be sure to reserve your Easter lamb!

And Happy 'kiss of the Irish and Spring' to all of you!

March 2011: In Like a Lion ... Super Windy or a Tornado???

2011-03-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

Our missing Chicken House - see the green one in the distance? That is how far it traveled!

Not sure how it managed to land straight up! Did it roll? Fly?

See that other one out there? This is in 'the back 40' East of the back yard. The missing chicken house was found north of the yard!

Can you see it? Peek behind the brown building!

Another View of the landing spot!

Holy guacamole. This morning about 6:15 am Jake announced to all of us that 'hey, one of the chicken houses is missing'!

Sure enough... Out in back 40 (as I call it), one of the portable chicken houses that we use during the grass season for the free range hens, was missing!

The wind had been blowing super duper hard during the night. Super duper hard.

And, here is the evidence!

No chickens were hurt. They are all wintering in the big 'yellow shed' (aka previous owners RV garage) - that you see in the first photo!

I wonder... did that chicken house just tumble and tumble or did a tornado hit and carry it?

A mystery... but at least nothing was hurt in the process!

New Lambs in the Barn! Um.. Not Planned.. No Sir. Nodda.

2011-02-13T16:35:00.000-08:00

Mama on the left making sure that's her baby! Same with the one on the right

Nope! You can't get out little cuteness! Too darn cold out there!

Sami on the Right. Trying to say 'hi' to the new babies!

Are you my mommy?

Hello Itty Bitty Babe!

Normally, we do not lamb until May. Mid May. Right about Mother's Day and my birthday. That's when the sunshine is nice and warm (kinda), and the grass is green, and the days are nice and long and above freezing (for the most part).

Something is so wrong with this picture! Well, these pictures, you might say.

We are experiencing the 'oops' factor. The buck lambs (young boys) decided to visit some young girls (and Sami's lambs from 2 years ago) and uh, we are having some unexpected babies. Not sure on the total head count right now! (I sure hope this means we are having an early Spring!).

But, because we are still having freezing temperatures, and storms on the horizon (and coyotes watching at arms length) - the mamas and babies are being brought into a nice, cozy warm barn until the weather turns.

Sami is excited. She keeps wanting to go down to the barn at the headquarters to see the babies. I took her on Friday.

That is one girl that loves her baby lambs! She now is the proud 'mama' or, 'grandma' of 2!!

Happy Spring!

Welcome 2011! Winter Delivery Schedule

2011-01-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

The Feed Line - Winter at the Ranch

Stuck on I84 - After Making Deliveries to Boise

One of the Rare Sunny Days During Winter!

Sami's Snowman

Hello everyone!
Happy New Year! We are up to our eyes in Winter. We have had lots of below zero temps and low digit temps. Today, our high was 25, one of the highest over the last two weeks, and now it is now snowing!

And, with Winter, are our Winter Deliveries (road conditions permitting).

Below is the winter delivery schedule through April. I also put in suggested themes for each month.
If you need any price lists, please email me at andisexton at cascadeaccess dot com!

January: Get Ready for the Super Bowl!! Chili, nachos, or stew!

Fighting a cold? Whole Chicken in a soup does the trick!

Eastern Oregon: Jan. 14th. Friday. Orders due: Jan. 12th

10am. Baker. Behind Barley Brown's.

Noon in LG empty lot my Mamacitas;

1:30 pm in Pendleton, parking lot across the street from Chamber.

Boise: Jan. 28th, Friday. 1pm. Downtown - Recycling Center at State & 16th (Albertsons) Orders Due: Jan. 26th

Portland: Jan. 15th

February: Valentine's Day! Racks of Lamb, Ribeyes, Tenderloins

Eastern Oregon: Feb. 11th, Friday. Orders Due Feb. 9th

10 am. Baker. Behind Barley Browns;

Noon in LG - empty lot by Mamacitas,

1:30 pm in Pendleton, parking lot across from Chamber

Boise: Feb. 25h Friday: 1pm. Downtown - Recycling Center at State & 16th (Albertsons) Orders due: Feb. 23rd

Portland: Feb. 12th

March: St. Patricks Day! YES! We have brisquet! (cure your own).

Eastern Oregon: March 11th, Friday (same times locations as above) Orders Due: March 9th

Boise: March 25th, Friday. Same times locations as above! Orders Due: March March 23rd

Portland: Market starts March 19th

April: Easter is April 24th ! Leg of Lamb, Lamb Kabobs, and, we have whole lambs cut and wrapped, in storage - processed in November.

Eastern Oregon: Friday, April 8th Orders Due April 6th

Boise: First Market!!!! April 16th Market Preorders Due April 14th

Portland Market - every Saturday!

Hope you are all staying warm and cozy!

"You Must Be Here for the Livestock!"...a Thanksgiving Eve Story

2010-11-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

Chick Route On Monday

On Monday, of Thanksgiving week, 100 freshly hatched Rhode Island Red chicks were born in Mt. Healthy, Ohio, and shipped, to us, live. That would be 2,069.99 miles away - according to Map Quest (click on link above).

Question, you ask? Why in the throws of winter would we want baby chicks?
Answer: Because it takes 4-6 months to get to 'egg laying' production and we need more eggs for our markets that start in late March! And, Rhode Island Red chickens are one of our favorites!!! They make nice hens. They are friendly. They are fun to talk to and watch. The roosters however, are mean nasty things (The King Rooster that terrorized Jake shall live in infamy!).

Back to the story: The baby chicks were to arrive on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Our mail does not get delivered to our mailbox, at the end of our lane until sometime after 2:30 pm (we are the last on the route), so when 'live chicks' get delivered to our Post Office, on the 7am morning truck (the only delivery truck of the day) the Post Office calls us, and we get to go pick them up, in Haines, 7 miles away.

Quick! Who remembers what happened the last time I went to pick up chicks? Anyone? Why, yes, I did lock them in my car, with my keys, and keyless entry code! Oh yes. That was a memorable event:).

Again.. back to the story: It usually takes 2 days for chicks to get to us if all things go 'smoothly' and as planned.

On Monday, however, the phone did not ring at 7:30 am. The roads were icy, and we were still recovering from 'the frigid temps' that braced our region earlier in the week. I called the Post Office and the line was continuously busy. So, I warmed up the car, put on my Eskimo gear, and went to 'pick up chicks'...as they say.

Result? No chicks in Haines. Next step? Tracking them down.

Dick called the hatchery in Ohio.

The hatchery said the first truck broke down, and they moved them to an 'Express Truck' and they were to arrive that afternoon. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, we don't get shipments at our Post Office in the afternoon. Instead, they wait in Pendleton (the nearest hub) and are held until the next morning's truck ships. And, since the 'next day' was going to be Thanksgiving, the truck would not be coming until Friday.

Our 2day shipment was becoming 5 days. .

Long story short? The chicks were still en-route 'somewhere' in Oregon and would not arrive in Haines until Friday. And, by that time, they would probably be itty bitty popsicles.

Chick Route on Wednesday

I have to say, our Haines Post Office lady stepped it into high gear. She called Pendleton and they said 'nope, no chicks here'. So, I got the Pendleton number from her to find out all the truck schedules to see if we could intercept the chicks. My first call was not very successful. I was informed by a grumpy person (it was about 8:30 am) that there would be three 'express' deliveries, one at 10:30 am, one at 8 pm and one at 10pm... She took my number and was to call me to let me know if our chicks made the 0:30 am delivery.

She never called. At 11:00 am I called again, and a very nice helpful and concerned man said the chicks did not make the 10:30am delivery. He was more sympathetic to my story that we live 90 miles away, and that the chicks had not arrived, and we were somewhat under a 'life and dealth' situation with 100 baby chicks. HE took my number and called back within 10 minutes. He tracked down the chicks! He found them in Portland.. and found out they would be arriving that evening in Pendleton at 10:30 pm. He said they were still alive! Yeah! So... this very nice USPS civil servant took it upon himself to alert the night crew that we would be driving, from 90 miles away, over two mountain passes, to come get our chicks (he might not have said all of that..but that is what it took!).

With this kind man's help, we arranged to meet the truck at the loading dock at 10:30 pm. Dick and Sami were the rescue team.

At 9:15 pm, and after a short nap, the crew hit the road - with extreme weather gear just in case they got stuck, and with leftover Halloween Candy to keep them awake!

Rescue Team's Midnight Run Route

Now.. the rumor is the driving assistant ate a ton of candy, and 30 miles into the trip, she fell asleep - after asking her daddy if he could make the drive without her 'trying to keep him awake' - and he did. (He also said he was surprised she could fall asleep after that much sugar!). Sami did wake once they arrived in Pendleton.

And, they got to the back door, saw two trucks and got the loading crew's attention.. to which one said ...

"You must be here for the livestock!"

The drivers from Portland were dialed into the situation and kept the baby chicks up front with them to keep them warm (so sweet!!!! ).

After thank yous and stories were exchanged, my crew called me at 11pm to let me know they were on their way home. They arrived at 12:30 am.. Thanksgiving morning...

Sami went directly to bed and Dick got the chicks setup in their new cozy home - under a heat lamp, with a blanket blocking airflow, in the brown shed, and with Ernest, our 15 year old dog, as their official night sitter (Ernest had been sleeping outside, shivering on the front step area, during our 'below zero' temps, and he now has his own special bed 'inside' the brown shed as well)...

Note: Our brown shed is actually a three car garage - converted to 'a shed'. And it is brown. Hence. Brown Shed.
Update: Every single one of the baby chicks are alive and well. Sami takes care of them daily, with Ernest making sure no intruders enter the brown shed (because last year, one of our kitties developed an appetite for baby chicks and she slaughtered quite a few..that kitty was moved to the hay barn 2 miles down the road - where she now has a thriving career keeping the mouse population at bay).

And, so.. on our Thanksgiving Day we were thankful for safe roads with a waning moon to guide the way, left over Halloween Candy, sweet and sympathetic Postal Employees who go the extra mile, and 100 new baby chicks!

And, naps.

Winter Photos and Thanksgiving Thoughts

2010-11-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

Jake - Doing chores Monday morning - hauling food. I haul the water

Can you see the sheep in the back? Snow covered - or frost.

And here he comes out to the field - I love the moon!

Jake wondering what I am up to so early with my camera at 6:45 am!

Last Friday - I caught a glimpse of the waxing moon and the Eagle Caps


I love the full moon! Of course, right here it still has 2 more nights to go!

Back to Monday's Chores - Ernest our 15 year old dog in front, Lefty further back.

Apples!


My drive to Boise Monday morning. I left at 8am with frozen windshield wipers!

The Opera Singer Tree - On our place, 2 miles down from home

It's beginning to feel and look a lot like Winter!! (sung to your favorite Christmas tune!)....

It's been snowing off and on since Sunday. Then when it's not snowing, it's bitter cold!
Yesterday we woke to 10 degrees. This morning? Ten below!

We are hauling water out to the free-range chickens - they have not been moved yet to their winter 'cozy' housing, so, alas, they are at our mercy and frequent water checks! The water is freezing up every 3 hours or so. I had Jake gather eggs at 10am - I'm afraid they will freeze if we leave them out too long!

And speaking of chickens, our next batch of future egg layers, 100 of them, were supposed to arrive this morning at the Haines Post Office, but they were MIA when I drove to town. The shipper forgot to call and inform us that they are coming express mail. After some research we found out they are in Portland, and don't get to their next stop - a later shipment - until 10:30 pm tonight, in Pendleton. What were they thinking doing this during Thanksgiving week? So, Dick and the kids are driving tonight, 1.5 hours away, to get them and come back. They are meeting the truck. The Post Office will not be open. And, there are no deliveries tomorrow, after-all. They would be dead if they had to wait until Friday. So much for Express.

Ernest, our 15 year old dog got to sleep in the house night before last. I was afraid for him. He was sleeping out in the cold on the front step, refusing to be in his spot. So, I brought him in and covered him with blankies on the hall carpet. Did I mention he is 15 years old? Oh my gosh... I am starting to cry as I write this! I love this dog.. He was given to us as a puppy as a wedding gift. He was a fat, rolly polly little guy and Dick named him Ernest Tubbs (after the CW singer, of course!). And that little puppy was at the mercy of a very green ranch wife! I was given the job to go do something with an electric fence one day, and he came with me. This was at our ranch in CA - in the foothills west of Artois/Willows. Way out at the end of a 7 mile dirt road. Anyway, Ernest and I were on a quad, on a good sloped hill, and poof! He tumbled off!

I have photos of this dog kissing our first born when she came home from the hospital.

He grew up being 'the mean dog'. Very protective of all things around the house. I worried that he would snap at the kids. He snapped at everyone else! They were and are his babies... He walks them to the school bus when his bones aren't bothering him.

He's retired. He sits out and watches Dick and the younger dogs as they drive around on the ranch - his 'flying nun' ears perked out at the sides of his head.

Wow.. I didn't mean for this to be about Ernest! But he has been on my mind a lot.

Where am I going with all of 'this' on this Thanksgiving Eve?

1. I'm Thankful. I'm thankful for a warm house on a bitter cold day - and that the wood that heats our entire house comes off our ranch.
2. I'm Thankful that 100 chicks are still alive, and that three of us see tonight's trip as a Grand Adventure..with the moon to guide them across two mountain passes, and it will be the only clear night this week. (Thank you God for holding the storms at bay).
3. Sami is thankful that she did not move her 'babies' (bummer lambs from May) into the far field with the other sheep - where two other lambs got killed - one each, these last two nights during the full moon.
4. I'm thankful that all those sheep are now safe here, by the house, where we can keep an eye on them:)
5. I'm thankful to you, our customers who buy our products and tell us you love what we are doing, and that you are amazingly.. thankful for the lifestyle we have chosen. My heart goes out to all of you.

Thank you, for helping us put good healthy and local foods on our own table. Because of our customers, we are in places we would never venture - Dick goes to Portland every Saturday! This is a man who would rather stay on the ranch than ever go to town. And look! Each week he drives to the city, and meets people! My gosh how he has changed!

And you, our customers, have given us the opportunity to meet other amazingly wonderful vendors that are also raising beautiful healthy products.

Tomorrow our Thanksgiving Table will have: Leg of lamb - ours; Brussels sprouts (still on the stalk right now) from a Portland vendor; purple artichokes from another Portland Vendor, potatoes in our garlic mashed potatoes from North Powder and garlic from a La Grande vendor - Arrowleaf Farms, eggs in the desserts from our chickens, and apples from our trees in our apple pie, and a beautiful bottle of red wine, from Cove.

Thank you all, for this bounty. And thank you for your friendships.
We are truly Grateful!

When The Big Wind Came Through - November 16, 2010

2010-11-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Roosting House

The Nesting House - See those wooden nesting boxes? They are Heavy! I know!

Another Angle of the Nesting House

Night before last a huge wind storm came blowing through... I woke about 2:00 am, listening to the howling and banging. Then, at 3:15 am our power went out.. for three hours. We are used to power outages - so much that after the first outage of the season we keep our camping gear 'at the ready' for cooking, lights and water. Breakfast and coffee were made with no problem - well, except for the quality of coffee (note to self: have fresh ground coffee on hand, and get 2 more propane camping lights!).

It wasn't until we could see 'light' outside that the damage could be seen from the East facing windows.

The free range chicken roosting house and nesting house obviously had been 'hit'.

Most of you know, that our free-range 'houses' are portable for moving from one pasture pen to another. The pen is also setup with hot netting - to keep predators out (which, as we found out last week, really needs to be hot to keep out skunks that unfortunately behead chickens and - of all things - drink their blood - NOT a fun thing to find!).

The 'free-range' aspect of this setup really came into play night before last. Amazingly, not one chicken was hurt in the storm. Why? They have free access to enter and exit their houses 24/7. They must have sensed it and moved outside. Sami's ducks, too!

So, yesterday Dick and Ramon spent the entire morning fixing everything.

And, egg production was at an all time low!

November Deliveries - 2010 and Fall Photos

2010-11-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

Free Range Chickens - Their Roosting & Nesting Houses


The Sheep


Zoe and His Sheep - See the 'green trees'? Not so anymore!


Mama Cow! Love this photo!


Lefty and some of the market beef


The same trees that were green in one of the previous photos - and my favorite tree, sans leaves


The Last Pumpkin Standing!

Apples from the Yard

November 7th.

My markets have come to a close, and Dick is still traveling to Portland. His market doesn't end until mid-December, however, he will be out of town November 13th for a HUGE Grassfed Beef conference. I'm not sure what his plan will be when the storms hit - we usually get a 'big one' the first week of December!

We have one more group of cattle to be harvested at the end of this month, and that will 'close' our grass fed and grass finished crop for this season. If you are wanting any custom beef orders, please let us know!

All the lambs have gone, and all the pasture poultry have gone. However, we are 'stocked up' in boxed inventory for winter deliveries, Easter, and the first markets for next season until the 2011 grass get's underway.

The free range chickens are still laying eggs.. although in a pitiful quantity. I only boxed 2 dozen last night! Not a big crop compared to the 100 per day we were getting at our peak in midsummer. And speaking of eggs, we will be getting more chicks during the week of Thanksgiving.. it takes about 6 months before they lay, so we have to plan now for next year's markets!

My Winter Deliveries are scheduled around the third weekend of each month. The next two months I actually have meetings on Saturday, so I have to do 'weekday' deliveries. Please note these are the days to get any holiday roasts such as: Prime Rib, Leg of Lamb, or, Rack of Lamb.

Here are the days:

November: Eastern Oregon (Baker - 10am, La Grande - noon, Pendleton - 1:30pm) will be on Friday, November 19th. Boise, Idaho will be Monday, November 22nd - at noon.

December: Eastern Oregon: Friday, December 17th. Boise, Idaho: Monday, December 20th.

Please email your pre-orders! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Enjoy the rest of your Fall!

Oh Christmas Lights.. Oh Christmas Lights!!!

2010-10-22T08:31:00.000-07:00


Ranch Log: 6:45am - Ernest Join's me on my Free Range Chicken's 'Bright Idea' Project!

Close Up of the Electric Netting with the background lights

I need to get out earlier! Only a handful of the girls were still Hangin' Out!

This morning I woke up ~~bright~~ dark and early (3am) and 'piddled around' doing some basic 'free time' things... catching up on the local papers, returning customer emails, and making my 'to do' list for the day and weekend.

Then, it wasn't until about 6:30 am, while I was standing in the kitchen eating my oatmeal, that I had my 'light bulb' moment! Literally. I was staring out the dark kitchen window admiring the Christmas Lights...

Yes, Christmas Lights. The Free Range Chickens' Roosting House Christmas lights (our attempt at extending the laying season with shortened days and colder weather in a pasture setting).

I decided I should take photos! So.. off I went, with Ernest as my companion.

Most of the chickens were already out and about - in the wee hours of the breaking day!

So.. there you have it!

Morning Light - Chicken Run Tuesday (well, actually it was a Thursday!)

2010-10-08T08:25:00.001-07:00

Catching the Sunrise

Our chicken runs have come to an end for this year. Our last group left this last Tuesday, October 5th. And, with perfect timing. October 3rd was the last day we got to run the wheel lines. The irrigation season is now officially over.

The pastures still look amazing. Nice and green.

Lot's of things are coming to an end.

Our last Pendleton Market is this Friday, October 8th (tomorrow!), Boise will be October 16th, and La Grande's will be October 23rd.

So, alas, another market season has come and gone - with the exception of Portland - that goes to December 15th!

I'll be starting my monthly deliveries and will keep all of you posted.

Until then,
Happy Fall!

Food Politics - High Fructose Corn Syrup

2010-09-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

So... since 'high fructose corn syrup' is getting such a bad rap (well deserved) the companies that make this crud want to change the name so it is more appealing to the consumer.

Hello! It's NOT the name that's the problem, it's the product! Should this actually be allowed????

Cheese wiz (like my use of junk food swear words)!

If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, and well, quacks, it is still a duck....

Food Politics. It's enough to make you want to scream..

You can read all about it, right here: High Fructose

Introducing Sunshine...and 'Are You My Mother?'

2010-09-19T20:42:00.000-07:00


Notice Anything Unusual Here? Different beaks, perhaps?

One of these things is not like the other! Well, you can't see the webbed feet on those babies!


Look! Baby Ducklings with a Mama Chicken!

Sunshine is a Very Good and Protective Happy Mama

On the lookout! Mama is checking for intruders, little ducking? Learning fast!

So, sometime ago, Sami slipped some duck eggs under one of the broody hens. A hen that decided she wanted to sit on eggs all day - so, she was given a job. This is the second time Sami has done this experiment.

Last summer, the ducklings hatched, but were not enclosed or guarded very well - so, they disappeared quite fast. I suspect a cat got them. Pumpkin kitty was busted this past December eating chicks, so she got moved to the hay barn, which is 2 miles down the road at the other end of the ranch!

This year, after the hatching, (which did include one unsuccessful assist) Sami moved the mama and the babies to their own indoor pen, with supervised access to the outdoors.

So far, so good! It's been one week and we have four baby ducklings.

Now, for Sunshine? She is a chicken. I'm not sure if she realizes these babies are 'different'. They tuck under wings, and hide under her, and she makes a fuss if anyone comes around - just like baby chicks, but they eat things differently with their bills (back and forth funny motion - not a pecking motion) and they sure make a mess of the water feeder.

All in all. It's sweet to see this little bunch moving around..

And, it reminds me of the first board book I had for Sami - it's about a little lost duckling looking for it's mommy! I'll have to find it and share the title!

Thanks for visiting!

The Not So Glorious Days of Ranch Life..... When Coyotes Come Calling

2010-09-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was one that 'tested' the laws of nature:

A 12 year old ventured out by herself in to a field, and found a calf - barely alive - chewed on both ends by coyotes - badly, in the early hours of morning.
A clutch of duckling eggs got overheated under a heat lamp - and so close to hatching
A 12 year old, assisted a baby duckling (different clutch) with opening it's shell, and attempted the same with another egg - only to find that the duckling not fully developed.

I can't imagine the visions of #1 and #3 above that filled my brave daughter's mind, and how she could 'keep it all together'. She found the calf, it's ears eaten off, it's tail gone, and the back-end chewed into. As in, through the rectum area and moving up through the cavity. And still, not killed. Living and having to endure that torture. No other animals were in the field. The calf had to have been chased through a fence elsewhere, and chased/tortured to where it ended up, near our home. That poor poor baby.

I am telling you the gory details because you, are customers, are concerned with animal welfare, and how animals are treated by man, the ranchers. But, what about how they are treated by predators?

As you can see, I am not holding anything back. If a 12 year old could not be sheltered from this, than I am not sheltering you either. This is what happens on a ranch. Granted, not daily, but it is very disturbing to me. Most times when coyotes kill they attack the neck, and break it, and kill, then eat.

Not this time. And, the calf was shot.

What goes through a mother's mind?

Wanting to protect your children from such atrocities in life. From such visions. To not have to see something struggling for life, while dying a horrible death. And, I did not want her out there doing chores alone, knowing that those damn coyotes were close in a pack to our home.

Our policy has always been to shoot coyotes only when caught in the act. I get the feeling that most our neighbors and the 'greater ranching community' does not like our policy. I've had a few remarks made to me about what we do and don't do. For instance, we don't let the helicopter shooters over our ranch to hunt coyotes. Mainly, because we don't want them scaring any of our animals, and also, my husband does not like anyone on the ranch regardless of their intentions. Most would rather we shot on sight, regardless of if the coyote is just walking through and minding it's own business.

I'm sure there is some talk out in our neighborhood about this calf, and what needs to be done to all the coyotes.

And, yes, if we see them we will shoot them. This is not normal behavior.

As a mom? I want them all killed.

Period.

First Frost of 2010 - Ice Photos - and Duckling Incubation

2010-09-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

Ice Covered Grass in the Pasture

Base of the Wheel line


Waiting for the Sun to come over the hill

Catching First Light

Here Comes the Sun!

Sun Meets Ice

This morning we had our first frost. When I got up and checked the temp. at about 5am, it was 28 degrees.

It was dark out, but as daybreak approached, we could see frost out in the pasture where the water pattern hit from the wheel-line.

I wanted to capture the first sun hitting the ice, so I found all my winter gear: snowpacks, capeline layer, insulated carhart jacket, toasty gloves and my ever so warm and toasty Jester's Ski Hat! My husband detests my hat. It was a Christmas gift to him from a previous employee - who had a great sense of humor - but Dick failed to see the delight in working and looking, well, like a goofball! I on the other hand? Love the hat.

It's 30 degrees now at 8:15am. The kids have already done their chores: the hose (make that about 5 connected hoses) is frozen out to the chicken pasture, so Jake 'got to' haul water!

Duck Egg Rescue Mission:

In terms of anticipating this mornings freeze Sami was the smart one in the group. It just so happened that a duck hen that has been sitting on a batch of eggs, 'got off' her nest and left them when we moved the pasture chickens and ducks to a new cell yesterday. She obviously was not happy with all the commotion we were causing with moving fence, moving the roosting and nesting houses, and then driving all the chickens and ducks to their new digs. It's quite a commotion - and it all happened near her hidden area. Herding Chickens is not pleasant work. The dogs love it. Stinkers. We tried to keep the nest intact, and not move her, and we actually designed part of the fence to jog around her and include her in the new pasture. But she was having nothing with it.

So, about 7pm, and dinner time, Sami decided the eggs needed to be checked. I'm not sure if my complaints about BBQ'ing out the cold perked her instincts, or if it was seeing Ernest (our oldest dog) trying to make a cozy bed on top of the kid's camping tent that moved her into action. Regardless, we were all filling up our plates when she decided she had an emergency. Out she went. Then, she came back with all the eggs tucked inside her jacket, like a little kangaroo - and she declared the eggs were too cold.

She then took them out to the brown shed, and put them under a heat lamp. So, during dinner, and through-out movie watching night (3:10 to Yuma) that girl got up ever 5 minutes to check the temp and make sure her incubating ducklings weren't cooking or too cold.

That girl is one good mama.

A Few Shares of Summer of 2010, Egg Soapbox, and This Weekend Markets

2010-09-02T11:26:00.000-07:00


We ended with our Vacation last week in Missouri! Lake of the Ozarks - Tan Tar-A Resort

Compared to my 'usual' Chicken Run Tuesdays - And the 'stuff' on my jeans


Mr. Grey - who terrorizes the kids when they collect eggs - Our 'mistake' Rooster who will be leaving us shortly - for 'greener' pastures on the next Chicken Run Tuesday

Jake Snoozin' On Our Morning Drive to the Boise Market - I wake him at 4am, we leave at 4:15am

The Empty Lemonade Cups - Boise Market - One HOT and beautiful Summer Day!

Crawdad That Came Home with my fishermen/woman three weeks ago and is now in a Livestock Trough

So... School started this week, and the new routine is back in action. So long to our wonderful summer.

It really was a great summer. Despite the cool temps, we got to enjoy some sun in various parts of the US! Some here, some in CA and a whole lot in Missouri!

Yep. The kids and I got to travel to Missouri last week and spend 7 wonderful days (5, if you subtract travel days!) with my 'baby' sister! And, four of those glorious warm sultry summer days were spent at the Lake of the Ozarks. It's been six years since we have seen each other, and six years since we did the exact same vacation. Heaven. heaven. heaven.

When we came home it was in shock. Sixty Degrees at the Boise airport last Sunday. And the degrees dropped along the drive home. It had been in the mid-thirty's up to the high 50's that weekend. A cold snap.

Depressing...if you ask me. It has taken me four days to get back and adjust to life here at 3,500 feet. And the reality that summer is over and fall is around the corner. Oh.. and both my boys have colds... A true indication that the season's are changing!

*************

My Egg Soapbox:
While we were gone the whole egg scare peaked. Another stinkin' recall - due to unsanitary conditions in a confined, super-sized industrialized facility. And the government's preventive cure? Cook your eggs - thoroughly. I'm sure you've heard the commercials 'hardly cooked eggs are hardly safe - says Joe, the down home chicken farmer'. And the rumor is that two senators are proposing legislation to vaccinate all chickens (against what?) - that's what I heard from one source. Let's see. The contaminated feed source was eaten by chickens (not to mention the filth they lived in) - and passed on through to the egg, and then the consumers who got sick.

Can't we cure the real problem instead of band-aid everything?

Eat clean foods, produced at clean facilities, and from healthy animals. Period.

End of soapbox.

**************************

So.. This weekend Sami and Dick will be at the Portland Market, and Jake and I will be at Boise.

And, as a reminder, now that Fall is here, it is also time to get your reservations in for bulk lamb and beef.
The prices are on the rack cards (price sheets) that you get at your market from us. If you need me to email one to you, just let us know!

See you at the markets!

Sexton Ranches - Celebrating One of Our Partners - Foley Station

2010-08-09T11:56:00.000-07:00


Merlyn Baker of Foley Station

Our family with Merlyn at last October's Harvest Dinner

A beautiful 'beet' salad!

Our Chicken

Our lamb, at the July 2009 dinner

We got some sad news about three weeks ago. One of our partners, Foley Station, will be closing it's doors - and we are not sure what the future holds for Merlyn and his staff. He has mentioned trying to stay local, if the right building becomes available, and he is also being tempted by friends in Portland to 'come back'.

Our entire family is saddened by this news. We all LOVE the special dinner's we have had at Foley's! It's a major outing for us to dine out... our chores don't normally get done until 7pm, so a lot of pre-planning has to get done for us to get chores done, everyone cleaned up, and out the door to travel 30 or so miles to one of our favorite restaurants. It doesn't happen as often as we would like.

Foley Station is the restaurant that hosts the harvest dinners that generate dollars for the La Grande Farmers Market, and Merlyn also purchases our products on a regular basis.

Merlyn is also a very regular shopper at the La Grande Farmers Market. He does a LOT for the vendors, and he has been so patient with how we rookies do business!

Restaurants, for the most part, enjoy buying from one distributor, having reasonable pricing, and having reliable year 'round supply.

Not so when they purchase locally.

Nope. They get to 'deal' with the frustrations of a not so reliable supply, costs that reflect what it costs to actually raise our animals, with the true costs of trying to make a living, and they funky inconsistency of 'processed' cuts!

Merlyn has trained us. He has trained us to be more knowledgeable about the menu needs of a restaurant, when it's a good time to deliver product, and how hard it is, to try and make a living working with high-end fresh products in a rural community.

Merlyn, we are going to miss you, your restaurant, your meals, and your wonderful friendship and support of local agricultural families like ours.

Thank you so much for all you have done for our community!

North Powder Summer School Comes to Visit the Ranch

2010-07-25T09:07:00.000-07:00


Happy Little Egg Collectors!


Everyone Wanted to Touch the Baby Chicks!

Checking out the Pasture Chickens


Kids lining up to help collect eggs from the pasture hens

We hosted another tour this past Thursday. This time the North Powder School's Summer School kids came to visit.

They got to see the pasture poultry (had a hard time understanding these guys do not lay eggs for us),
The pasture hens - and learned how to not touch electric web fencing! (they collected eggs - but when it came time to part with the eggs some wanted to put them in their pockets and take them home!)
New baby chicks(the ones I accidentally locked in the car Wed. morning!)
Sami's Goat
Sami's Bummer Lambs
The market beef and lambs (more electric fence lessons)
The Llama
And, a bunch of Sami's goats that came to walk with us when we went out to the pasture hen pen!

It was interesting that this time, Sami and Jake did not want to talk as much!

Peer pressure????

Who knows!

Morning Light

2010-07-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

Morning Light - Mid Summer

Guard Dog (on the left) and Sami's Goats

Morning Beauties

Last Wednesday I grabbed my camera and started out for a nice walk. Of course, I didn't get very far once I saw the morning sun hitting the animals. Do any of you do this? Stop in your tracks? Soak it in? Just enjoy that moment?

Have a great day.

Ranch Tour - Summer Ag Institute Comes to Visit!

2010-07-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

Sami's Goat Rosie Was a Big Hit -
She Just Recently Discovered This Box and Turned It Into Her House!

Jake and Sami Share Different Breeds of Chickens
In answer to 'why are the eggs different colors'?
The debate continues.. color of the ear?
Just because?
And are brown eggs better for you?
(Health benefits are related to feed, and environment, not color of eggs)
Jake is holding an America (blue eggs)
Sami, is holding a Rhode Island Red (brown eggs)

Here is the Goat Crowd
Some folks gravitated toward the kid's projects
Others toward the 'real' ranch projects
And some just stayed put in the shade

On Tour
My kids are starting to give me 'the look' when
I am taking photos

On Tour - Pasture Poultry Area
We had the discussion of 'free range' definitions
Dick call's our Pasture Poultry 'beyond free range' because they are on pasture, moved daily, and have access to fresh air and sunshine at all times (as well as rain, wind, etc.). Yes, they are in apen, but because the breed we currently are raising can not run from predators, we do it this way. Here is why we feel we are 'beyond free range':

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) requires that chickens raised for their meat have access to the outside in order to receive the free-range certification. There is no requirement for access to pasture, and there may be access to only dirt or gravel . Free-range chicken eggs, however, have no legal definition in the United States. Likewise, free-range egg producers have no common standard on what the term means. "

On Tour - Pasture Hens
(Our pasture hens do not get penned up at night. They have access to pasture 24/7. Lots of fresh air, sunlight, and grass! The electric netting fence is the only thing that contains them. )
Jake was our speaker!
Go Jake!

Shelby the Llama wanted to get in on the action

On Tour - Market lambs & Beef
Dick moved about 10 of the market beef and this years market
lambs (125 left) to Sami's bummer lamb pasture near the house so folks could see them
Shelby is with the market lambs so he was here, too.
Sami's bummer lambs are walking with her.

I like this photo - even though it looks like the one above!

Back in June we were asked by Eastern Oregon State University (the La Grande campus) if we would host a tour of our 'non traditional' ranching operation with teachers across Oregon.

The purpose of the Summer Ag Institute is to take teachers to various Ag operations to give them an understanding of the importance of Oregon Agriculture - meaning, to introduce them to the people who produce their food and how they do it, so they in turn, can pass that knowledge on to the kids they teach.

This is probably the fourth year they have asked, and the first time we have accepted.

Normally, the summers are too darn hectic, and the timing wrong (doing a market somewhere!) - but, this year the date fell on a Friday when we were all on the ranch - and still working!

So, this past Friday, we had three vans full of Oregon teachers, Farm Bureau Staff, and Oregon State University Extension Service Staff show up to tour our Grass Fed Beef and Lamb operation.

Dick shared the grass fed and grass finished beef and lamb and pasture poultry business.

Jake shared the pastured hen business.

Sami shared her goats and bummer lambs projects.

My job was to give the introductions, overall big picture presentation and share the marketing side of our business - complete with props.

The tour went very well! They arrived twenty minutes late (which gave us some well deserved down time after a hectic morning of moving chicken houses, yard work, and regular chores), and we kept them for about 1.5 hours.

What I enjoyed most about this visit, was that the group was very engaged with Sami and Jake. The roles were reversed, and the teachers asked questions and our kids got to teach about how they do their jobs. The teachers loved Sami's milk goat, the bummer lambs and the Llama the most! They also had a great time asking Jake about the chickens - why eggs are different colors, and why we only have one rooster for 175 hens! (Answer: The rooster was an accident - you don't need a rooster to get eggs!).

Unfortunately, we did not get to take them to other parts of the ranch and see the guard dog with the new lambs and ewes, or the bulls, or the yearlings, etc. We ran out of time.

It was awesome! Personally, with our interest in what our kids eat and my work with Farm to School, it was a perfect match to have the teachers here.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-01T04:56:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!

Our Local Parade - Haines, Oregon

A Somber Yet Beautiful Tribute to A Local Rancher

4th of July Spirit - Boise, Idaho - Capital City Farmers' Market

In our world there are only 'three' holidays my Husband takes off from work: Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July. And, to be honest, he still work's on those days and we wait around until he get's whatever need doin' done (feeding on Christmas Day, Feeding on Easter, and Irrigating and moving animals on the 4th of July).

Our 4th usually consists of catching the parade in Haines (population 300 - which grows exponentially on the 4th), going to the local Rodeo that afternoon, and watching the fireworks that evening. All within 7 miles of the ranch! Way cool! We make trips back and forth to the ranch between events.

Last year the 4th fell on a Saturday, a Boise Farmers' Market Day. I did the market - solo, and on the way home 'attempted' to purchase fireworks at that big stand in Caldwell. Boy, was that a mistake! Lines everywhere and it was HOT HOT HOT! We settled for a box of goods from a tent out in our hometown Albertson's parking lot instead.

The 4th falls on Sunday this year, and Saturday I will once again be at the Boise Market! I'm teaming up with 'Brenda' and we are featuring a hamburger recipe! YUM! Burgers, potato salad, and a berry dessert (strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are at all the markets right now!) are my favorite July staples! How about you????

A salute to our Independence and all the families that help make it possible.

Thank you to our service men and women for the many sacrifices they have made on our behalf!

Have a great 4th of July everyone!

Life On the Ranch - Photos From Last Week

2010-06-21T19:21:00.000-07:00

Ernest - Keeping A Watchful Eye
On my way to the mailbox last Thursday, I saw this - Ernest, watching Dick moving
livestock (the wheel line is blocking them - click on photo to enlarge!).
I love capturing Ernest photos.
He is our oldest dog - a wedding present - and he is just over 15 years!
Ernest was in this last year's Family Christmas Card.
We almost lost him over the Winter.
A new diet of raw eggs, kelp, and any 'meat' scraps we have, in addition to his normal dog food, has increased his health tremendously.
Ernest is retired, so he pretty much stays near the house -
he helps with the morning and afternoon chores - chicken work, mostly.
And he does laps around the house - there is a 'track' in the grass from him doing his rounds.
We have fields on three sides, which often have Dick or the Kids working in, and the front of the house is our lane to the highway - he chases any cars entering the drive with serious intent.

Ernest - Very Intent on Keeping An Eye on Whose Doing What
I often wonder what he thinks.
He is a loner.
We have lots of dogs, yet, Ernest keeps to himself.
He is also the father of most of our male dogs.
With the exception of 'his gal' Maggie, he ignores the others, and gives them a
growl if they get too close.

A Sign of Rotation Grazing
Snacking on new grass on the right, and after grazing on the left.
I'm taking photos from the highway.
These are the critters that Ernest was watching being moved.

Sami - Checking to See if the fence is hot
And here is one of the workers!

How to cross a hot fence
You need rubber boots!
And, for putting up and taking down fence - rubber gloves!
This is a daily job - moving animals from paddock to paddock.
Jake and Sami are in charge of the market lamb fences
they put up fence and take it down all by themselves
without supervision.

Driving Over a Hot Fence
Sami is Dick's assistant
Dick hurt his back about three weeks ago,
so, Sami is his 'backup'
She's a great ranch hand!
Get it? Back Up???

******************

One of my favorite things to do is go for a walk and take photos. I took these last Thursday, after I returned from a Chicken Run.

Last week was a doozy!

Tuesday I took sheep and beef to the Nampa processor - up at 4:30 am, and out the door by 5:15am. I missed a huge accident on my way by 10 minutes! The Interstate was closed for hours... I came through at 6:50 am - the accident happened at 7:00am...I came back about 1pm, and the traffic on the opposite side was still closed. It was ugly. A moving van had rolled - in a construction zone where traffic was already single lanes. Household 'junk' was everywhere! No one was hurt. God is Good - I am certain of it!
It would not have been fun, sitting on the highway with 20 sheep and 2 beef in a trailer. The processor would have been upset, the critters stressed, and me? Right there with the critters. The trucks were backed up all the way to La Grande.

Then, I got to make a similar trip on Thursday. Chicken Run Thursday! 70 of those fat boys went! It was a gorgeous cloudy/rainy morning. A storm had just come through, and I love thunderstorms and any cloud formations that resemble one. Sigh.

My favorite part of taking critters to the processor(s) is the early morning sights. Just breathtaking gorgeousness!

Then, Saturday was the Capital City Farmers Market in Boise. The day I wake at 3am, and return about 4pm. Long days, but a super fun market!!! Boise was beautiful. On the way home, near the accident site, near Durkee, a huge storm hit - boatloads of hail, then buckets of rain.

Crazy weather!

And today? gorgeous! It's 53 degrees, I already went for a morning walk, and our high is going to be 73. Sunshine! Summer!!!!!

Yeah for Summer!!!

Sharing Fun Stuff At the Boise Capital City Farmers Market

2010-06-14T08:37:00.001-07:00

One of the Crepe Vendor's was Right Next to Us Last Time!
Yummmm!!!
Those guys never had a slow time. OH my..
Hard workers.
Tasty crepes!
Jake and I both had one!

These guys are fun!
A super cute husband & wife team
I love visiting with them at Boise
And yes, you might consider them competitors (eggs, chickens)
but as with most other vendors in the natural meat business,
we appreciate their hard work, and that they are also
in the same business we are.
The more of us there are, the better our environment and livelihood.
Sustainability - it's an us thing!
Besides. We run out of chickens and eggs at every Boise Market.
The more, the better for the customers.
I bought pork spare ribs from them and we had a GREAT dinner!
I'm not a pork person. I can only handle ribs, bacon and tenderloin.
White meat does nothing for me!!
Anyway, I loved their spare ribs!!!

Speaking of Pork... (sorry!)
During a quick break I spotted this little cutie!
OK.. Thy are both cute!!!
The market has a 'no dog' policy.
Piglets, obnoxious birds on shoulders, and iguanas. I've seen them
all at the Boise market!!!

Now These Guys????? Hilarious! And super genuine!
First. A word about Brenda.
She makes great marinades and sauces.
And, she partners with other vendors to make recipes featuring
our products, and we have the recipes at our booths!
Thanks Brenda! Now that is marketing!!!
Her rockstar husband????
Such a GREAT guy! I mean, look at him!
He lost a bet, and came through, wearing a pink tutu.
My husband would never be caught dead in a tutu.
Gotta love a guy with a sense of humor.
These guys add such a fun element to our work day:)

*************

Yeah!

That beautiful time between Spring & Summer is finally here! What I mean is, we have sunshine, some warmth, and still great temperatures to work in. Lovely lovely days. I am 'sure' the snow is behind us:)

And what better way to play in the sun than to go to a Farmer's Market, find all sorts of great in season goodies, and visit with friends and pals?

As you know, we do this for a living. Meaning, we sell our meat products at the markets from April through December. It's work.. but you know what? Of all our 'work' (like, today, we are marking lambs, and tomorrow I have my Chicken Run Tuesday), I LOVE the markets!! We find great music, great people, great tasty goodies.. All in one place.

So. This coming Saturday, the day before Father's Day, we will be at the Boise Farmers Market. Our schedule is to go to Boise on the first and third Saturday (because we are at other markets on other days).

I 'heart' the Boise Market! It's downtown, takes up about 4 or so blocks, and has the BEST vendors!

Catch you there!!!

Early Morning Wreck - Proof That I am Still A City Girl!

2010-06-09T09:53:00.002-07:00

Looks So Serene, Doesn't It?
This is a shot of our home in the distance,
The field the pasture poultry are in,
and the entrance to that field is just this side
of the line of willow trees.

My Ride on Tuesdays
Truck and Trailer
(I usually drop the trailer off in New Plymouth and pick it up on the way home)

The Field Where I was Attempting to get into with the Truck and Trailer
The tracks are what I was aiming for. The ones on the left.
What you don't see is where the stupid BackHoe was parked!
Just to the right of the tracks and in my way!
It 'threw me off' - so I 'hugged' the left side of the open area.

The Fencepost that I Hit
See the tire tracks???
The ones in back are where the trailer was stuck
The board at the base of the post are where the front tire was sitting
And alas, the tracks in the grass made
by 'just driving through and hitting the post'

No Longer a Straight Fence
My early am work!
What you don't see is where Dick had the backhoe setup to try and move the trailer.
It was not pretty.
Just on the left of the fence, in the borrow pit.
There's a good slope that you don't appreciate in this photo!
And it's wet.. seepage from the irrigation ditch.

Well.

Yesterday I got up at 4am, made a pot of french press (my lifeline), showered, dressed, and was out the door by 5:00 am to drive the truck and trailer into the pasture where the pasture poultry were to be loaded up (60 of them) for their trip to New Plymouth, Idaho. The 'plan' is to get everything loaded in the field and for me to hit the road at 5:45 am so that I arrive at the processor's backdoor at 9am Idaho time. Sharp. Super Duper Sharp.

It takes some organizing the night before. Things like loading 12 boxes for boxing last week's load of chickens, tape, pens, checkbook, my scale so that I could weigh a custom order for delivery to Eagle, Idaho, and my cold storage inventory binder so when I go to get meat (and drop off the chickens) out of storage in Nampa, I know what is where and on what pallet.

I also had a list. Bring back 200 lbs. of ground beef for the Pendleton brewpub. And, to bring back more lamb sausages (Garlic Rosemary, Andoulle and Apple) plus 5 boxes of chickens. And, to find 4 special birds that Dick had pre-orders for in Portland - as in, when I was boxing up the chickens find two that were 4 lbs, and two that were 4.5 lbs. Oy.

So, come Tuesday morning. I thought I was rockin' and rollin'.

In addition to all of this Dick, hurt his back (it's an ongoing thing), and he was waking the kids and getting them 'work ready' to help with lifting things out in the field as I dashed out the door.

Alas. Things don't always go as planned.

I had a wreck.

I hit the brace fencepost with the trailer when I was trying to get into the field. And over a series of backups and forths, I also hit the backhoe (which was strategically parked just to the right of where I was to drive in) with the trucks' right mirror (see! That's how darn close it was!). No damage to the truck or backhoe... But, then, I got the trailer stuck.

Uh Huh. Stuck. In the darn borrow pit 'ditch' that is between the road and the gate area.

So.. Mr. Sexton came to my rescue.

He tried to get the trailer unstuck with the backhoe (the one blocking my way). But almost flipped the backhoe (down in the ditch)...and then got the backhoe stuck as well.

And then, in the end, he decided to just run over the fencepost with the trailer.

By this time, the kids had walked over to where we were.. Wondering what the heck was going on!

I loaded them up in the truck, pulling the trailer, while Dick was trying to get the backhoe unstuck! Yep...

The kids and I loaded the chickens..I was a little frazzled.

But, alas. I was on the road at 6am!! On time!

It took about 3 hours to shake the morning frazzles.

I left the trailer in New Plymouth (my routine) while I did all my other work in Nampa and Eagle. And picked it up on the way home.

I Got home at 3:30 pm.

And unloaded all the meat (13 boxes total) and put it away in one of four freezers.

Then, called it a day.

I'm still not sure what type of day to call it. Not sure it was a 'good day'. However, I did get everything done - in terms of the Chicken Run Tuesday.

But, boy. It was one of those days....

Craving A Local, Fresh Tomato

2010-05-24T15:13:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to stick to my guns and only purchased food items raised/grown in the United States. The closer to home, the better. I outlawed Mexican tomatoes around January 1st. And, I was doing real good.. Until Cinco de Mayo. My favorite occasion for a Mexican food celebration.

We had fresh tamales (school fundraiser), what was I to do? And Corona's with lime (both imports).

So... I caved. I bought three romas. but that has been 'it' since January 1st.

Friends... I don't know how much longer I can take it!

The test of all tests are upon us.

Fresh basil is in the house. Everyone knows you need tomatoes and fresh Mozzarella if you have fresh basil!

Temptation...

Intern Day at Sexton Ranches

2010-05-09T11:47:00.001-07:00

Goat Milking
Sami giving milking lessons
Good job Chloe!

'Fetching' Rose (and her kids) from the Warm Springs Creek Field
First, they had to catch the goat!

Job #2: Moving the Portable Chicken Houses
Go Jenny! That's one of the interns

(I love that the chickens were sitting on their eggs as they got moved!)

The crew setup the next move for the pastured egg layers.
First, they setup the next hot wired pen,
Then they moved the laying house and the roosting house
and then, they closed up the new pen - after herding chickens

Moving the Portable Roosting House
See the ducks in the background?

The Big View
See those clouds? It was a cold, and rainy on and off kinda day

Pictures you don't see:
(I need to get these from Sami's camera)

Setting up the Pasture Poultry pens
Jake slicing his finger with his pocket knife and taking it 'like a man' in front of the girls
(until he got to the house and started to hyperventilate)
Moving the pasture poultry chicks into the pasture poultry pens
Moving the ewes and lambs and guard dog from one pasture to another
Bottle feeding bummer lambs (we are up to four now.. wait.. five this morning!)
Lunch: Featuring Sexton Ranches Grass Fed Lamb (stew) and Eggs (in a spinach salad)
Dinner: Featuring Sexton Ranches Grass Fed Beef (stirfry)
Mexican Hot Cocoa
The woodstove cranking

*************

Yesterday, May 9th was our Intern Day at Sexton Ranches.

The idea sprouted last October at the ORA Annual Meeting. A few of the attendees were RARE students/volunteers working throughout Oregon in different Community Service related jobs, and a few expressed an interest to come out to the ranch for a work day.

So, come March, we scheduled a date - one of the few Saturdays we have 'down' from the Farmers Markets .. and so, yesterday was our Intern Day. We had two super talented ladies show up to work! They were awesome! They showed up at 9am and stayed until about 6:30 pm.

It was just perfect. Dick had saved several projects for the day and they managed to get the list done!

Thanks Chloe and Jenny! You girls are the best!!!

The only thing we missed was shearing. This week (while Sami and I are gone on a four day school related trip) the shearing crew is going to show up - if it doesn't rain. Which means Jake will get pulled from school to help (they both get pulled out - just the way life is here on the ranch).

Anyone want to help?

First Lambs of 2010

2010-05-02T16:17:00.001-07:00

Sami and Lali

Lali - The first Bummer Lamb - Born May 2, 2010

It's starting my friends!

At last count there were 2 sets of twins (lambs) and 9 calves. Above is Lali... Our first bummer lamb of the year. She's a happy sassy little thing. Which is good! Too many times we have found babies with 'cold tongues' and on their death bed. It breaks our hearts. Tubing a baby is no fun. Or trying to get them warm, and hope they make it through the night. If they don't, that's when we cry. As you can imagine, the Sexton kids are fully aware of life's circle over here. Babies born. Babies that don't make it. And even how babies are made in the critter world (days for bunnies, days for calves, days for puppies and days for lambs).

Thank goodness our #1 bummer is healthy and strong! I hope this is an omen... Oh.. What's a bummer lamb, you ask? It's a baby that for some reason is not latching on to it's mama - or it's mama has rejected it. Or, the mama did not make it...

Last year we had up to 12 bummers at one time. We have close to 300 ewes, so this happens. And, even though this is the kid's job, as 'we' know, when school is still in session, it is my job to feed those babies at 4 or so hour intervals...

Only 1 month till school is out. Which means.. I have 1 month of bottle feeding coming up:)

Yet, I should mention that Sami is the Main Mom in this year's enterprise. she's busy right now mixing lamb replacer, finding bottles, making a warm bed, and remembering how many cups are in a pint (2).

Have I ever mentioned that May is our crazy month at the ranch????

We lamb.

We calve.

We start irrigating (flood & sprinkler).

We add on more Farmers Markets (by the end of the month there will be four cities).

The kids school squeezes in a year's worth of field trips and events into one month.

We celebrate 2 birthdays (mine and Jake's).

We celebrate one wedding anniversary (ours is May 6th and this will be year 15!)

We celebrate Mother's Day...

Oh.. and we celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Love that day!!!

Happy May everyone!

Chicken Wrangler Diaries.. Week of April 19th

2010-04-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

New HOT Digs for the Laying Hens

Bright Idea #1 - Herding Chickens
The idea was to have the chickens follow Jake
from their old house, to the back pasture
and to their new spot.
The rest of us are 'behind' - herding the wanderers,
the ducks (oh that was fun!)
and the girls who have hidden egg laying spots in
bushes around the house.

The View From The Gate
See way over there behind the 'green' chicken house?
Along that hard wired fence in the way back?
That would be were the energizer is -
As in 'on' and 'off' for the electric juice.
Let's just say.. I think we have a design flaw.
Just my humble opinion.
One of many, for chicken wrangling week!
And I got shocked about 5 or so times trying to help Jake
close the new HOT digs fence/gate
Ouchie Mama

The Laying House - During Setup

Ranch Log. - April 19 thru 24th.. 2010.

It seemed like a sound plan.

During morning chores on Monday, before school and the bus was to arrive, to have all the chickens follow Jake out to their new 'HOT' digs.

The hot digs are a huge fenced off area (portable electric poultry fence), and within are their feeders, water dishes, and two new chicken houses - one for roosting, one for laying.

The chickens did not, and I mean DID NOT, like the idea.

All four of us, plus a few dogs, were Chicken Wranglers.

Ever wrangled a chicken?

Pandemonium.

It's gotta be worse than herding cats - remember the Super Bowl 'herding cats' commercial? Hilarious!

Well. Our experience was not hilarious. It was downright stressful for all parties involved.

The kids almost missed the bus.

About 40 or so Chickens got bagged and carried over (by Dick) during the day (they were hiding in their old house)
A whole lot of eggs got laid out in the grass - it was like Easter!
And, the egg crop was dismal. Stress!
About 20 more chickens were still to be bagged!
And we had two kills that night

And, that was just Monday!

Gradually, things have mellowed out. The gate is now 'MacGyver'd' so Jake and Sami can get in and out on their own (and yes, it is still hot). The 'gaps' under the fence are plugged to keep chickens in and predators out, and egg production is up!

We are even finding new itty bitty eggs from the 'new girls'!

Each day a few escapees can be seen running around outside of the pen. They are mostly the older girls who want back to their old digs.

I don't blame them.

Change is hard for old chicks!

*******************

Food Inc., and It's Impact on Our Lives

2010-04-21T08:17:00.001-07:00

Have you seen Food, Inc? No?

Another question... Did you watch the Oscars? I love watching the Oscars, for a variety of reasons..the glamor, the winners, the trailers, the hosts (please bring back Hugh Jackman!!!) the speeches (the drama of someone not getting mentioned taking the stage) and the 'party girl' snacks my daughter and I gnosh on during the entire 3-day event (we tape it and watch it 'when we have time' )..

This year, Food Inc. was nominated for Best Documentary (I think that was the category!). But it did not win... Yet, the fact that it was nominated made me hopeful. That others out there heard the same thing, and had watched the movie as well.

Dick, Sami, Jake and I all saw this movie back late January when Oregon Rural Action hosted a viewing in La Grande, Oregon. Following the showing, we were introduced as one of several growers in the area that are raising meats naturally, humanely, on grass, and on pasture.

Several things happened to us that night...things of a 'big picture/aha moment/'Thanks be to God' level.

First, Jake, our soon to be 11 year old, decided that fast food restaurants were never again going to get his 'take me there' business. A young boy died from eating an e-coli tainted burger while his family was on vacation.. Hello... isn't that when most of us 'stray' from our normal healthy food routines? While on the road and traveling? Wake.up.Call. My heart broke for that child's family, and I sat there crying. I'm not saying all fast food restaurants are 'evil' - but, unfortunately, not all fast food joints are clean, or practice safe food handling practices, or, purchase food from safe food sources... they just don't know where the food really comes from our it's 'point source'.

And, the sad part? Most fast food places serve food that is of a higher purchasing standard than school food. Yikes. When it comes to beef, our kids are lucky. Our little rural school is one of the recipients of free, local, USDA inspected, safe beef - courtesy of our local Cattlemen.

More on school food another day... Lots going on in 'my backyard' regarding getting local foods into the schools. Very lucky.

Back to the movie...
I also cried when I saw chickens getting kicked, and lifted and thrown into what appeared to be a bread rack style cart. And piles of dead chickens on a day to day basis because of the 'industry' standard of how to raise them. Yuck.

And, I was mad when I heard how farmers are being targeted for lawsuits by big ol seed companies (starts with an M) who say 'they own the seed' that is purchased by a farmer.. What the _____???? Lawsuits. Lawsuits even to the small seed man, who Monsanto says is getting cross pollination from fields (miles away) that are their seed sources. Farmers are losing their farms because of this.

Anyway. This movie made us more aware of just how lucky we are - to live where we do - to provide the food we do - and to be part of a system that is far more safer, healthier and sustainable for our family, and yours.

So, the next time I am complaining about a 3am wake-up call to start my ranch work, or having a pitty party about all the things I am missing (family vacations, fun toys, to sleep in until 7am)
I will remind myself, of how lucky we really have it.

And, that was my 'Aha' and Thanks Be to God moment.

Want to see the movie?

One of our wonderful customers sent out a link to on online showing of Food Inc.

Click Here to Go to Info!

To Market, To Market!!!!!! And Egg News

2010-04-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

A few of the Laying Hens
The white one is an Americana. Part of the 'new group' that came in December.
In the lower left is a barred rock. Also, part of the 'new group'.
These girls still have not started laying.
We are having a serious egg shortage!!!

Breakfast Time
180 chickens
But only about 4 dozen eggs daily
What up with that????
Old girls not laying (stewing hens in the future)
New girls (December) not laying - yet
And two markets this Saturday
Houston: We have a problem...

This little piggy just could not wait!

Hello Everyone!

Well, in just four short days two of us will be at the Boise Capital City Public Market (Jake & me) and the other two (Dick & Sami) will be at the Portland State University Farmers Market!

As you can guess, things are going to get hectic over here at the Ranch...

I thought I would share with you our current 'laying hen' feeding situation. The egg mobile still has not graced the back 40, so, these girls are STILL in my yard! I am going to jump up and down with glee once they get moved to their pasture...

And some bad news.. We do not have enough eggs to support all of our customers. We are going to have to raise the prices substantially (I am so sorry!) and just do preorders for market delivery.

And, an update on all markets:

Boise: The first and third Saturdays, starting this Saturday
Pendleton: 2nd and 4th Fridays, Starting May 7th
La Grande: 2nd and 4th Saturdays, Starting May 22nd
Portland: Every other Saturday (April 17, May 1, May 15, May 29th, etc.)
Baker: Wednesdays... TBD

Hope to see you all soon!

April News! Lots Going on at Sexton Ranches!

2010-04-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

Our New Logo
What do you think????
This is the view from our front windows!!!
Can you spot our llama and sheep and beef?
The pasture poultry pens are in the image too,
but I think the banner is 'blocking' them
(click on image to enlarge)

April 2nd Snowstorm - Dick and Sami heading to the PSU Market!
The interstate was closed at some point. I don't know if it was after these guys
hit the road or before. But someone 'spun out' right in front of them going over
Ladd Canyon
Nasty business those winter storms...

While they were gone I shoveled the snow drifts out of the
bunny' temporary housing (aka pasture poultry pens)
The bunnies made it. Phew.

Jake Showing Our New Egg Labels

Getting Eggs Ready for Market

It's getting busy over here at Sexton Ranches! Even though it is 'officially' spring - winter hit us pretty hard this last week, but 'the shows must go on'!

This last Saturday, April 3rd was our first market of the season! It takes our entire family to pull off a new market: making and printing new publications, purchasing new market stand supplies, loading all the goodies, doing inventory, figuring out who is in charge of what, and those of us left at home do the chores!

1. So, Sami and Dick went to Portland, via a storm! They will be selling our products 'every other Saturday'. For our customers in Portland, I will put together a cheat-sheet with the exact dates... They will be back in Portland, at the Portland State University Market, on Apirl 17th! They are in stall #7, and you can go to the PSU website to see a map.

2. Our next delivery to La Grande and Pendleton is this Saturday, April 10th!

3. Our first Boise Market is April 17th!

4. Our first batch of 2010 pasture poultry chicks are arriving this Wednesday

5. Our egg mobile is getting built this week...

And that, is how things are rolling over here!

Critter Antics - Courtesy of Sami's Mini Farm!

2010-03-10T15:55:00.001-08:00

BBQ Chicken
Oh, the things that go through my mind!
There I was, sipping my morning coffee and I saw this girl out the window.
I don't like critters on the BBQ.. See those kitty prints?
Grosses me out!

This is the problem with chickens who don't have their egg mobile yet!
That's right.
An egg mobile.
Not that we expect the girls to drive their own rig.
Think 'portable chicken house' out in one of the fields.
It's my dream... ever since the chickens started taking over my yard and deck.
And BBQ.
Soon, the yard will be all mine!
Well, except for the goats.. ducks... bunnies, etc.

Sweet Cheeks
He's cute!
He's alive!
Lucky little bugger...
The amazing thing is?
We have 2 loose dogs who have left him alone.
The kennel dogs are another story.
They are waiting for their great escape

See the Bunny - and a Chicken!
Click to enlarge.
The chicken (Americana) is somewhat hard to spot!
The dog kennels are just to the right of that panel.

Sami, a Bunny and a Kitty in the 'Garden' Area
The bunny is at the end of the tube.
That's my enterprising girl!

She and her assistant (Jake) decided to drag that PVC pipe from another spot over
to the garden for a bunny hideout - when Dick and I were at a meeting!
At least they are 'good busy' and not 'bad busy' when the parents are gone!

Then, they let 3 bunnies free to roam the great outdoors.
It's Sami's 'get to know the neighborhood' plan.
This was last Friday.
Only one stuck around.

**************

Well, I had some other great photos to share as well but 'blogger' is being mean! The others are of the goats in the yard, snacking on my favorite tree, and up on the pump house, in my flower bed area. Joy.

And the ducks.... they crack me up. I like to watch the ducks... The waddle in a straight line. If they go to fast.. they trip over their webbed feet!

What can I say... cheap entertainment!

In other news, we are getting geared up for our upcoming deliveries and the Farmers Markets.

This year we will be in:
Farmers Markets: Portland, Boise, Baker, Pendleton, and La Grande!
Restaurants: Foley Station, Ten Depot: In La Grande
Stores: Bella Main Street Market, Baker City

AND, our two newest partners are the Good Shepard Hospital in Hermiston (Lamb Sausages), and the Prodigal Son Brewpub in Pendleton (Burgers and Brats)!!!

Be sure to ask for us by name!!!

Yeah!

Winter Schminter Shots

2010-02-09T09:47:00.001-08:00

Real Back Seat Drivers

Gathering Wood
Our SuperBowl Sunday PreGame Show

Pasture Poultry Pens and Wheel-line
Winter Dormant

The Morning Commuters

Chicken Walking Daintily

The Extra Hired Hands

Long Shot

For some reason we are having snow flurries right now on this 'supposed to be partially sunny' day. I miss the sun. It came out and graced us for about 30 minutes on Super Bowl Sunday. Cruel friend. My decision process was to prep for the Superbowl or dance in the sun? The sun won. What can I say? A girl needs her vitamin D, and the warmth of the sun on her face.

Anyway, just wanted to share our winter with all of you that are outside of the Burmuda Triangle Winter Zone of Baker County! (Drive in either direction, and it's sunny and the temps are 20 degrees warmer!)

2010 Winter/Spring Delivery Schedule - and Markets

2010-01-31T10:02:00.001-08:00

New Baby Goats
Sami's three female goats all have kids.
So far.. 4 kids total!
Never a dull moment:)

***************

Hello folks! Today we woke to a beautiful blanket of snow.. a good seven or so inches. Most years I am sick of winter by this time, and I 'dream' of warmer temperatures, blue skies, warm sunny days, and any opportunity to wear flip flops.

Heck, we really haven't had a winter yet! To say this has been the 'weirdest' winter would be an understatement. Most days that is snows, the temperature rises and we end up with slush zones during the day and ice slabs during the night. I have seem more lawn/grass than snow this year, and the chickens and ducks (well, all the grass eaters) have been very happy campers! Right now it is 30 degrees, on a Sunday at 10:14 am. Our high is supposed to get to 37, which, frankly, is a bummer.

I am actually enjoying today's snowy day - which is rare for the end of January!

To put in in perspective, I haven't had the 'joy' of making my 'gun the engine and drive down the lane without getting stuck. The kids haven't had one canceled school day, Dick hasn't had to plow us out, and, the mail lady has not complained once about not being able to find the mailbox!

Back To Business:

So, with the mild winter, we have had a steady production of eggs, and lately, production has been climbing! We have modified our delivery schedule to help keep the rotation and supply of eggs constant and to start working in with the upcoming Farmers Markets.

Please make a note of the new schedules below!

February: ***EDITED***
Boise: Saturdays: Feb 6 & 27 1pm - Albertson's Parking Lot - Recycling Area, State & 17th
Baker 11 am /LG 1pm /Pendleton 2:30 pm: Saturdays: Feb. 13th

March:
Baker/LG/Pendleton: Saturday March 13th
Boise: Saturday: March 20th

April: (Boise Market Starts up!)
Baker/LG/Pendleton: Saturday April 10th
Boise: See you at the Boise Market on April 17th!

May: (Pendleton & La Grande Market Starts up!)
Boise: 1st & 3rd Saturdays - Farmers Market
Baker/LG/Pendleton: Saturday, May 8th
La Grande: Saturday Market - May 22nd
Pendleton: Friday Market - May 21st!

Farmers Market Schedules:
Boise: 1st & 3rd Saturdays
Pendleton: 2nd & 4th Fridays
La Grande: 2nd & 4th Saturdays (YES! Back to twice a month!)
Baker: Wednesdays - Starting June 23rd - We will try every Wed. and see how it goes:)

Hope you all are having a great winter as well!

Happy 2010! - January Deliveries, Recap of Holidays

2010-01-10T10:50:00.001-08:00

Last Months' Drive - Pendleton Deliveries
Over the River, through the woods...

Last Month's Drive - Boise Deliveries
Over a different river, through different woods!

December 30th Sledding Team
Our first evening sledding/bonfire party
Blue Moon Celebration
(um, it was cloudy)

Sour Dough Pancakes - New Years Eve - Morning
Yep! Those are our eggs!

New Years Eve Fruit for Breakfast
The apples are from our backyard trees.
We picked them in October
and are still eating apples!
**************

Hello Friends and Customers!

Happy Twenty-Ten!

Above are just a few photos sharing part of our life here at the ranch - and my commute! It often amazes people that we are 'deep in winter' where we live. We can drive 30 miles in each direction and have totally different weather...

Things are going quite well here at Sexton Ranches... It's 34 degrees, and we have managed to survive the New year with no great catastrophes (January is usually when things break down) - wait.. I take that back... The one ton pickup broke down yesterday, so the feeding crew (Dick, and Ramon) have to take turns feeding... meaning, one man at a time. Before, they would both feed different groups of animals at the same time... Such is life! Oh.. and I guess we still have 2 weeks to go!

This coming weekend are our scheduled deliveries - for pre-orders only!

As a reminder, this is the schedule:

Boise: On Saturday, January 16th: 1pm - Recycling Center, by 17th and State

Baker: Sunday, January 17th. 11am. Behind Barley Brown's
La Grande: Sunday, January 17th, 1pm. Empty Parking Lot adjacent to MamaCitas
Pendleton: Sunday, January 17th, 2:30 pm.. Parking Lot, adjacent to Ice House, on Main.

Upcoming Events: Valentine's Day!

Are you planning a special meal? Rack of Lamb? Kabobs? Roasts, tenderloins? This coming delivery weekend would be the time to get your pre-orders for a special Valentine's Day.

Things we have:
Yes, we have lots and lots of eggs!
Whole Chickens
Beef - various cuts in storage...
Lamb: Racks, kabobs, chops, shanks, stew
Sausages: All flavors
Beef sausages: brats, Kielbasa

Take Care everyone!

December 2009 - At The Ranch! And Deliveries

2009-12-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Tree
Let me 'splain! While I was at a training session this past Friday and Saturday, I asked Dick to take the kids to get our Christmas Tree (part of the 'help me' list). I got an interesting call from Sami on Saturday, 'Mom, where are the glue guns?'. I told her, then, I asked Dick what Sami was doing, and he said 'She's making a tree'.
Oh the ideas that went through my head!

Isn't it adorable???? It's sitting on our Piano.
The scary thing?
I took the kids to get a tree yesterday, and all our favorite haunts were sold out!
One new place had a tree, but it was $60.
I know the USFS permits are $5.00!

I have a neighbor coming to our rescue.
They have timber.

Away In A Manger!
OK.. Maybe not the 'PC' thing to sing...
Yesterday, Sami and Dick brought Betty back to Casa de Sexton.
She is out back in the yellow shed (aka previous owners RV barn!)

She's looking 'rather wide'.
Sami has been trying to breed her goats ever since she got 'billy' who was a bit young at the time.
Betty is nice and cozy and getting spoiled rotten.
The other goats are out in a field.. Braving the elements like all the rest of the critters.
Lucky Betty.

One Cold Morning
Last week we had frigid temperatures.
The lowest was about minus 10. Some say minus 18.
Cold is Cold.
Anything below 10?
Cold.
Anything above 20?
Heaven!
Well, at least this time of year!

Ice from the Buckets
Unfortunately, at our house there is no running water near any of the outbuildings.
So we haul water.
And break ice.
Haul. Break. Haul. Break.

This baby makes it all worth while!
Love wood heat.
Love a Blaze King.
This baby heats our entire house!
Yep.
Lucky lucky lucky.

Hi Everyone!
As the holidays approach we are preparing for winter, Christmas, School Christmas Programs, Christmas Parties, House Guests, and Winter Deliveries! Oh my... Is it any wonder we are exhausted after the 25th????

Dont' tell anyone, but my Christmas Cards are still in their orginal box.. Waiting to be addressed and sent.. Sigh...

And I haven't even sent out one package yet! YIKES!

Anyway, this coming weekend are the days to get your pre-orders. Please contact Andi by Wednesday Night (December 16th).

Happy Holidays!!!!

To Solve Our Egg Shortage Issues - More Chickens!

2009-11-30T16:37:00.000-08:00

Barred Rock Chicks (100 New Ones)

Americana Chicks
(The Blue Egg producers! 25 new ones)

OK folks.

We have 125 more chicks at Casa de Sexton.. They arrived the day before Thanksgiving, via the US Postal System... not to the ranch, but directly to the post office...Which does deliver mail to us, but it doesn't get out here until about 4pm.

The Post Office is used to us now.. They call about 7:15am and say 'come get your chicks'! OK.. maybe not like that, but close... however, one of the gals is real nice and says 'We have a box here chirping'...

I shared with you before about our postal staff... they can't figure out why we order chicks in the winter... They think we are nuts! Most everyone associates chicks with the arrival of spring in March, and around Easter.. yet, chicks don't lay eggs.. Chickens lay eggs.. Hence, the arrival of winter chicks!

So! For those of you that have been getting 'shorted' on eggs - there is hope! Yeah!

I'm looking forward to the barred Rock hens... gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!

By the way, we do not use any feed with antibiotics... These guys are 'babied' with natural feed.

Have a great day!

My List - Ranch Style!

2009-11-30T16:25:00.000-08:00

Some of you may be making your Christmas lists right now, eh?

Not in this household... well, at least not my husband!

Here is the list he left me for Today - November 30th 2009:

Finish Inventory
Project DM Sales
Carcass Data for 2009
Sign up at Localharvest.com
Check out and report back on WordPress
Poster to University
Bring Back HotDogs
Payroll
Setup kill date: 5 beef
Call Piano Man

So, with the exception of item #10, it's all business around here folks, all business...

That man needs some serious fun...and to let his hair down! doesn't he know it's Christmas coming up???

Here's my list (the one I would rather be working on!) that is waiting for the wee hours of the night or morning:

Finish Christmas Card Order
Finish uploading all photos for 2010 calendar
Finish the Christmas Box (what I send to my family members.. it's a special crafty thing I do)
Wrap presents (yes, that's right! I'm ready to start wrapping!)
Finish buying a few special things!!!!
Get Tree
Decorate
Bake
Sing
Enjoy!

That's my list!

Winter Deliveries - Starting This weekend!

2009-11-16T13:01:00.000-08:00

The Sexton Family - November 2009

Hello everyone!

First, thank you to all that helped contribute to another great market season! October 31st was our last Farmers Market for 2009 and it was fun fun fun... Our entire family made it, and it's always a great experience for not only the kids (who are learning to count change correctly and help you with your orders - thanks so much for your patience...) but for my husband Dick, who is great at seeing things with a new perspective and giving suggestions on how we can 'be better'!

Now that the markets are over and we have had a two week 'market break' - it's time for our Winter deliveries...

Here is the Schedule: Third Weekend of the Month - Boise is Sat., Eastern Oregon is Sunday

November:
Saturday November 21st - Boise - 1pm - Location: State & 17th by Albertson's recycling area

Sunday November 22nd - Baker - 10 am - Behind Barley Browns
La Grande 11:30 am - Parking Lot next to Mamacita's off Jefferson
Pendleton - 1pm - Parking Lot across from Chamber.

December:
Saturday, December 19th, Boise
Sunday, December 20th, Eastern Oregon

January:
Saturday, January 16th, Boise
Sunday: January 17th, Eastern Oregon

February:
Saturday, February 20th - Boise
Sunday, February 21st, Eastern Oregon

March and April to be posted at a later date:)

Note: I will be bringing pre-orders so please get your orders to me if you would like a delivery. If there is room I will also bring ice-chests full of extras, but, only if there is room!

Thanks for everything and hope to see you.. again!

First Snow and Last Market!!!

2009-10-30T09:00:00.001-07:00

First Snow
Apple Tree

First Snow
Birch Tree still with fall leaves!

************

Well friends. It snowed here yesterday! It snowed all day, but only about an inch remains. This morning is icy and it should all melt off later today. Fingers crossed!

Tomorrow is our very last market of the season. The entire Sexton Family will be going to the Boise market, and it should be a great day. I don't think the kids have really figured out that we will be working on Halloween and will get back just in time to unload, dress and go trick or treat! It will be hectic.

The weather in Boise is predicted to have a low of 40 and high of 60! Yeah!

Sunday's plans are to cut firewood. We have already gone through our first 'load'!

Hope to see all of our Boise friends this weekend!

And Thank You for a great season!!!

Sami's Bunnies - Another Use for Pasture Poultry Pens!

2009-10-16T10:17:00.001-07:00

Oops! I snuck some Ducks In!
These are Sami's Ducks - Puddle Ducks!
They are now laying Duck Eggs (the 5 females, that is)

We had one of the Arracana Chickens sitting on Duck Eggs and 3 hatched
earlier this week.
Sami was charting the progress.
Unfortunately, none of them lived.
It's kind of weird to see a little critter with webbed feet follow
a mommy that doesn't have webbed feet!

Bunnies Born in a Cage

Here are some Bunnies!
They are so so darn cute!
And yes, they do grow very fast!
Oh my gosh. They all line up with their little ears in the air
and it is adorable to see them!

This is one of the females that is now in a Pasture Poultry Pen

And here is her nest!
There are actually baby bunnies under that fir!
About 5.
According to Sami, who checks on them.

The Pasture 'Bunny' Nursery!

Last Christmas Sami asked for 'rabbits' for her gift. Well, that lucky girl got two female Bunnies and one Male - along with all the equipment to house them, feed them and care for them.

Sami is our 'young' entrepreneur. She has visions of selling goats, rabbits, ducks and puppies. And, yes, she has all these things.

She's actually been selling puppies for three straight years now. Which means, she started her enterprises at the age of 8!

We all knew the day would come when it was 'time to make bunnies'. As with the dogs and goats, she pairs them up, and puts the dates on the calendar - and projects when babies are due, based on the species gestation.

It's a learning process.

Guess What?

We now have two batches of bunnies.

Moving Electric Fence - The Ranch Wife's Way!

2009-10-07T08:59:00.001-07:00

Hmm... A Frosty Seat Greeting Me For my Morning Commute!

My Ride - In it's full glory
I'm thinking those tires are a little bald
(which, had they had more tread, maybe I could have gotten
out of my predicament easier - the one you will see later)

A Stretch Gate
Any of you have experience with this evil invention?
You need the strength of 10 men.
I can get it undone well enough.
It's putting it back up that's a pain.
As a matter of fact, last year, on 'Talk Like a Pirate Day'
I blogged about "Curse Like a Sailor Day' - because of one
of these fences.
It's on my personal blog. If you desire to read the episode,
email me or leave a comment.
AARRRRR

Here's a Pleasant Site!
Cow Manure. On various parts of the Quad.
See that clump right up there near the doomahickey?
It manages to sneak up on you in the darnedest of places!

oSee The quad there on the left of this nice peaceful looking ditch?
Well, the quad and I became one with the ditch before this photo was taken.
As in SLAM!!!
I was just riding along, minding my own biz, as in peacefully enjoying my morning adventure, when WHAM!
We stopped. Dead stop.
And I could not get unstuck.
Until I saw that 4WD option in the previous photo.

Another View of the 'Damn' Ditch
I still hurt! Ouch!
Anyway, there are about a bazillion of these ditches in the pasture.
But I thought if I followed Dick's map arrows, that he was
taking me around the ditches.
Dolt.
I came up on 5 more, but I was 'smarter' those times:)

The Supposed Low Spot in the Fence
I really should scan the map that Dick gave me.
Perhaps all of you would understand my adventures -
as in, are they actually sabotaged?
Anyway, the pasture is sectioned off with all sorts of funky hotwire fence lines.
Dick had an arrow for this spot called 'low spot in fence'
The hot wire is 1' off the ground and this is the 'crossing'.
You know, drive over hot wire.
Exciting!

OK.. Here are the critters wondering what the heck
is taking me so long to take down the fence!

They get moved daily.
And they are trained to come over, and run to the new grass.
You can see the quad way over at the other end.
And the snowy mountain tops!
A beauty of a day!
(This is why it takes me so darn long - I'm enjoying the sights!!)
Plus I have to document these things so people believe me!

The Wire Spool
So, the object is to take this sucker off the hot fence (I already took the leads off)
and start winding it up, holding it tight (so the cattle don't run into the fence and take it with them all the way to Mexico, or the next County, or wherever they go when they get spooked)
and keep reeling all the way to the end, and pick up all the fence posts along the way.
I only have 2 hands, so, I left the fenceposts for a return trip.
Besides, the spool gave me troubles, and both hands were busy.
As in, the wire kept getting wound around the handle, and I had to
keep unwinding it!

The Fruits of My Labor!
Our Apple Trees are Bustin'!
While I did the morning chores (feed chickens, kittens, rabbits, ducks, and break ice)
I collected a 5 gallon bucket of apples.
And, that was the bright spot of my day:)

*****************

Yesterday, was a Tuesday... A cold, chilly October Tuesday morning and Dick and I got up at 3:30 am.

Why you ask? After all, I get up at 3:00 am on Boise Market Days and paid my dues for the week, right? Guess not! I could have stayed in bed, but I'm one of those people that wakes when an alarm goes off..

Well, Tuesdays are our Meat Run Days (the day for taking animals to the processor and/or picking up processed meat). And, this was the day that 3 beef and 17 lambs were to take their journey to Nampa Idaho, where they had to be (2 hours away - with a time zone change) by 8:00 am!! Holy Toledo!

So, we both got up. After breakfast (or a midnight snack, whatever you want to call it) Dick went in the dark to load the critters... I could see him from my cozy house... Well, I could see the trailer lights!

Since I wasn't the one driving the trailer, I got to 'move electric fence' instead.

And, as most of you know, any time Dick leaves me with his chores, I always have an adventure, and always take my camera for proof!

Today.. A day later, my 'insides' still hurt from slamming the quad into a ditch... A ditch he forgot to tell me about while I was blissfully driving out in the pasture, and taking in the glorious fall snappy morning...

And that my friends, is my adventure as a ranch wife.

The rest of the day included dealing with cut and wrap orders, preparing taxes for our meeting with the CPA tomorrow, and also dealing with two kids who have been home from school for 2 days with a cold (they were bouncing off the walls) ... NOT A FUN DAY!!!

Can I have a do-over???

Some Summer Shares - And Sausage Is In The House!

2009-08-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

Thunderstorms
My commute back and forth to the ranch
Yeah, life is just rough when your commute looks like this!

Jake And Sami - Playing or Working
I love their summer duds!
Especially the sundress with mud boots.
Always a fashion statement

One of our summer faves
Balsamic Vinegar, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella and of course, fresh tomatoes!

Sami with her first fish of 2009!
Sami kicked some fishin' 'you know what' last week!
She and her Dad went fishing while Jake and I did the Chicken Run.
Their secret place is Van Patten Lake
(the same lake where I managed to hook my finger in 2007)...

Anyway, she got a 10 inch Rainbow!!!!
She scored the biggest fish.
All the others were brook strout.
Rainbow trout rocks.
And dinner was awesome!!!
Thanks Sami!
(Her red eyes are courtesy of a very very long day!)

Another One of My Commutes
(click on photo to enlarge)

I came home to see sheep evidence on the highway, down by the headquarters (our ranch is 1,170 acres, and our headquarters is 3 miles down the highway from our home - this photo is just north of our home, and we are looking south.)
Anyway, as I kept driving toward home, I saw the kids walking far back, away from the herd.
One lamb was having trouble, so they were 'behind' trying to get the lamb to move.
Dick was coming back on the quad.
All the sheep were trailing by themselves ahead,
just walking north!
Dick loaded the lamb, and I loaded the kids.
I gave the kids a ride farther up so they could 'push the sheep' farther.
I got ahead of everyone, and the gate were the sheep were to turn
and took this photo.

*******************

Hello everyone!

Some days it feels like our summer is ending (like, when we got 1.5 inches of rain, or when we woke to 38 degrees!) and others like it is just beginning - today is to be close to 100 degrees...

Now that things are slowing down a bit, we are trying to squeeze in some summer playtime before school starts (August 31st)... There is so much to do, and so little time!
The story of our lives, here on the ranch...

Summer never lasts long enough... Today, the kids and Dick 'ditched me' to run off and go fishing... which they so deserve!

Our big adventure will be a ski weekend (water ski) at McCall, Idaho. If any of you have tips, hints, suggestions, please let us know! We have never been there, and the kids have never water skied!

OK.. Ranch News:

I am happy to announce that our Lamb Sausage is back! Yep.. All your faves:

Garlic & Rosemary
Sweet Italian
Sun Dried Tomato and Sweet Italian
Apple
Merguez

We also have lots of whole fryers, and eggs!

Yippee!

AND, I took 20 lambs to the processor just this Tuesday...

Looking forward to having full ice-chests again!!

Hope to See you soon!

Chicken Run Tuesdays! A Share!

2009-07-30T07:48:00.001-07:00

One of the Egg Hens - Via Sami's Lense!
Tuesday Mornings we get up extra early to do
'Chicken Run' Tuesdays
Sami got up early and was our photographer
(and she went on the road with me!)
By the way, there is an A&W Root beer on our Route
and after our delivery, we had Root Beer Floats!!!!!!!
A mom has to do, what a mom has to do...
YUM!

Early Morning Scene
I love this photo.
All the species in one shot!
Each group is separated with electric fence
They all have their own portion of the field
So..
Chickens
Sheep and Llama
Cattle

The Chickens at 8 Weeks
Eight Weeks is the age of our Harvest
They get moved into the crates you see on the back
of the Quad.
From there to the back of the Truck
Which I drive to New Plymouth
And, I bring back last weeks birds - frozen

Dick taking the top off One of the Pasture Poultry Pens
Don't you love those boots?
Makes me think of the Three Musketeers
Everytime he wears his Irrigation Boots Like this!

Morning Scene

Just thought I would share with all of you our Tuesday morning routine.

My favorite part of the day is catching the sunrise and seeing it on the Blue Mountains, and the peaceful drive through the valley...with my first cup of Joe.. Need that!

The mornings are so gorgeous when you get to experience the first light!!!

Happy Day to all of you!

Jack's Simon's Whole Grilled Chicken

2009-07-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

Jack's Bird and Bird Dog!

Whole Chicken On The Grill
(I do believe we have the same Weber!)

Below is an email I got from one of our friends/customers! Jack said I could share this with all of you..

Thanks Jack!

Howdy!

Well, we finally ‘bit the bullet’ — JUST JOKING — and tried one of your “wild” chickens on the barbecue. DELICIOUS!!! I’ve been barbecuing whole fryer chickens for three years now and have yet to burn down the house so consider myself an “expert”. I was really curious if there would be any difference in flavor between your free range birds and the birds I’ve been buying from Safeway and Albertson’s. Guess what? Your birds win hands-down, Andi! In fact, the best complement regarding flavor came from my wife when I asked her, “How is the flavor?” and she said, “I keep looking for buckshot!” No kidding.

Now before you throw a bottle of ketchup at me, let me explain. Sharon has eaten many a pheasant over the years from my little escapades into the brush so she knows what “wild birds” taste like. And your free range chickens have a flavor that approaches wild meat, obviously from their diet in the pasture. It’s not quite to the level of rooster pheasant, more like the mildness of quail. And tender? Don’t you guys ever exercise these birds? These chickens must be watching TV after their morning meal because there isn’t a tough muscle on them. Send Sami and Jake out to the pasture every day to run those birds around a little.

Without a doubt, this was the best whole chicken fryer I’ve eaten to date, Andi. We’ll be buying more the next time you are in town. This is the bird to serve to guests…a little white wine, veggies cooked on the grill. Well, you get the picture.

Speaking of pictures, I’ve attached a few pics of the festive occasion. Note the “cook’s assistant” checking out the meat on the platter…

A real no-brainer to cook one of these babies on the grill. NOTE: My bird weighed exactly 4 pounds so a heavier bird would take a tad longer cooking time. Here’s what I do:

I use a Weber three-burner propane gas grill. Cook the meat at 325 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes or until the juice runs clear when the skin is cut between the leg and the body. Don’t use all three burners or you will catch something on fire (notably the chicken, possibly your house!). Turn the middle burner OFF and use what is called “indirect medium heat” to cook the bird.

Prior to putting the bird on the grill,

1) wash the bird and apply a light coat of olive oil;

2) salt and pepper to taste;

3) quarter a medium onion or apple and put half the onion or apple in the bird’s body cavity;

4) add to the body cavity a sprig of fresh sage from the garden (about 6 leaves) or you can use Thyme;

Adjust the grill temperature to 325 degrees and put the bird on the grill. Pour a glass of wine and enjoy the smell of free range chicken wafting through the air — yummy! Serve with rice or baked beans and fresh veggies. (Be sure to leave a little something for the cook’s assistant...).

Thanks to you, Dick and the kids for a great meal and see you the next time you are in town.

Happy Trails,

Jack & Sharon

Grilling Chicken (Or, Andi's 'Do Over'!)

2009-07-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

The End Product - Super Tasty Grilled Chicken
(The other half was cut up and waiting to be eaten!)

I split my Chicken in Half
Just Olive Oil and salt.
Middle Burner is Off
Other Burners are set at medium temp.
(Thanks Jack! Jack is one of our customers who sent me
an awesome 'how to' cooking guide and photos of his full bird
on the grill!!!)
Jack's Testimonial will be shared soon!
He recommends a beautiful glass of white wine to accompany your cooking experience!

This is the average temp. my chicken and potatoes cooked at

As most of you know, Tuesdays are my Chicken Run days...

The perks of a weekly chicken run, are that we sample a chicken from each week's 'batch'. And Sunday's are usually our Chicken Dinner nights...

Well, something horrible happened this last Sunday.

Last Sunday's Chicken ended up being BLACKENED CHICKEN! I cut up our bird into individual cuts, rubbed it with a rub we are sampling (Thanks Denise!) and I left it alone on the grill. Turns out, leaving your chicken on a grill unattended, while it flares up and scorches your dinner, results in super crispy chicken.. Not the good kind! What was I thinking!!!!

So.. after listening to Blackened Chicken Jokes from the wise guys in my family, for two long days, I decided it was time to redeem myself. Of course, the email I just happened to get from Jack, one of our favorite customers/friends - was very timely and a good prod to get going!

By the way, Jack sent me some awesome photos and a step by step guide, which I will share in a another post... (Thanks Jack and Sharon!)...

Now - Jack is the one who gave me the 'turn off the middle burner' tip. Jack also cooked his bird whole, and he stuffed it... which would be wonderful for our Sunday 'go slow' days... Yet, since it was mid week, when it's a crazy world here, I 'shortened' my cooking time by splitting the bird in 1/2 (a tip I got from the Noble Pig).. and I checked on it every 10 minutes..

Total Cooking Time? About 40 - 50 minutes. The potatoes were done just right a well! I actually went by the potatoes... Once they were ready, I called the whole thing 'done'. And, to be honest, I lost count during my intervals! (I'll work on that...)

Taste Test Results? A winner! Juicy, Tasty, Succulent Chicken Dinner!!

And NO Blackened Chicken!!!!

Thanks Jack!!!!!

Chickens Are In the House!! (OK, Freezer..)

2009-07-03T07:10:00.001-07:00

Sexton Ranches Natural Pasture Poultry!

Hello everyone!

Now isn't that a beautiful sight to see? I have to tell, you.. it is to me! I can't believe we are really now into the chicken production business!

Our first two 'batches' of chickens have been processed and they are now here at the ranch in my freezers! These babies are gorgeous! They are tasty (a girl has to do what a girl has to do) and let me tell you... they average 4 1/2 lbs. They are perfect!!!

Our whole fryer/roaster managed to feed a family of four for 1 dinner, and then three people for 2 lunches. I count my kids as adult eaters now. It's amazing how much food they can put away!!

Every Tuesday I travel to New Plymouth to drop off chickens, and pick up fryers.

Be sure to get on our 'list' to reserve yours!

Retail price is currently $4.00 lb.

AND.... We will soon have more lamb and sausage available!!!

Yippee!!!

Everything You Needed To Know, But Are Afraid To Ask, About Chickens

2009-06-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

As we are getting ready to process our pasture poultry chickens (at approx. 8 weeks of age) a great question came up from one of our Boise customers...

What is the difference between a fryer and a broiler?

You see, on our sign, I have 'Pasture Poultry Fryers Coming Soon'.

Yet, out in the 'world' we often see Fryer and Broiler used together. Well, apparently, they are the same darn thing. And, for all intents and purposes, you might as well throw 'roaster' in there as well.

But - wait! Getting a definition can be a bit tricky! I did some research today and got conflicting answers regarding the size and age of bird. The results are anywhere from a 3lb. to 5 lb. bird, and 3 months to 5 months of age...

Here is one excerpt (with my snarky comments added in):

Broiler-fryers = fryers = broilers are between 2 1/2 and 5 pounds, and can be broiled, roasted, or fried. They're not good for stewing. (Note: I am assuming this is the dressed out weight that they are using!).

Stewing chickens are tougher and best used, as their name suggests, in stews and soups. (Note: At our place, 'retired' laying hens become stewing hens.. when they are about 2 or 3 years old!). And, that would be a 'slow' stewing hen..because they are tough tough tough!

Capons are castrated male chickens that are large (between 5 and 10 pounds) and tender, and have relatively more white meat. They're great for roasting. (Note: We do not castrate any of the roosters! That is one job that I do not want to add to the list of hats 'I' wear! Seems like some very tricky work, with a very large magnifying glass - I have very poor vision as it is - 47 year old eyes, ya know? Besides, how do you rope a chicken? Just kiddin'!).

Hmm.. So, my 'guess' is that the term fryer or broiler or roaster most likely applies to the method that you use to cook a 'young' chicken.

I should also mention we harvested about 20 chickens one year, when they were 8 months old.. THOSE were also stewing chickens. And after we 'et' one, they stayed hidden way back in the freezer for a very very long time.

Trust me.

Pasture Poultry and More Creatures Great and Small

2009-06-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

Two Kids Walking Toward the Highway
Way in the background is a dead Honda (4 wheeler or quad, as we call them)
These are NOT happy campers!
They gave up when we got to the highway

Two Kids Ever So Happy to be Moving Hot Wire and Yearlings
I don't blame them. We had already cleaned out 4 boxes of chick crud!
Along with other assorted chores...

The Yearlings - Wanting Their New Grass!
Hold on everyone..
Jake? Jake? Watcha doing down there?

Heifers
This shot was actually taken in May, on one of my 'fun' photo days.
I'm sharing this, because this is the same field the Pasture Poultry are in!
The Poultry are following the Beef!

Helloooo Girls!
They love it when you get down low... Then they come over to check you out!

Mr. Sexton, Moving Wheel Line This Morning
I had a great idea, to go take photos this morning, while still in my jammies.
I snuck out to the field south of the house..
Unfortunately, Dick was 'in my way' and then he put me to work!

The wheel line was too close to the pasture poultry pens
and I got to help move one of the pens out of the way.
Did I mention I was in my PJs and a pair of clogs?
Out in the field?
Stepping in yuck?

The Irrigating Crew
Poncho, Bugsy and Lefty
(Sounds like a bunch of outlaws to me!)

Dick (ajka Mr. Sexton) Getting Ready to Move the Pasture Poultry

View of the Pens

Inside View - With Today's Fresh Grass

Ta Da - Pasture Poultry!

These are the pens that Dick made for our latest enterprise. Pasture Poultry.
The pens are getting moved toward the west -
so yesterday's used grass is what you see in front of the pens.
Right now, the chickens are about 5 lbs.
Our goal is a 4.5 lb. fryer 'dressed out' in your freezer!
(We are guessing a 75 percent yield)

So... In Two weeks 25 of these guys are getting processed!
Note: I am taking pre-orders!!!

The bummer Lambs (enclosed in a hot wire pen) and The Ducks!
See those ducks in the background?
Those are Sami's ducks.
They crack me up!!!
One of them (must the the sentry) makes this 'laughing' quack...
'Quack, Quack, Quack'.
Reminds me of the Joker or Riddler on Batman.

The Bummer Lambs Enjoying Their New Milk 'Bucket'
The bummer lambs have been weaned off bottles!
No more warm milk
No more being attacked by lambs 'head butting' you!

The Ducks - Caught in the Act
This morning these buggers were caught picking on chickens!
First off, the chickens are hiding eggs.
This is one of their locations.
I caught the head duck chasing a chicken right before this shot,
with all the followers behind him.
They chased the chicken out of the bush.
Something to be investigated....

Jake, chasing Ducks Sometime Ago
I don't think any of us have caught one yet!

**************

Yesterday, the 'boss' left us some instructions while he drove off to Nampa to pick up 100 more chicks (pasture poultry).

First, we had to clean out all the 'chick boxes'. Four of them. This involves hauling wheel barrow after wheel barrow of 'shavings and crud' out to the compost pile. About three loads per box. That was my job.

Then, we had to clean all the chick feeders and waterers. The kids did this job. Along with a few water fights tossed in.

Then, to make room for the new babies, we transferred the older chicks from the garage (the older ones arrived May 28th - I remember the day DISTINCTLY because I had to drive to the post office at 7am to pick them up! Which, was also the last day of school, which I helped at, along with two bottle feedings of the lambs - 6 am and 11 am..( to the brown shed.

Get all that?

THEN, in between all of this, we had a 9am 'DATE' to move yearlings - aka, hot wire... So, the kids and I took one of the quads, and drove down the highway, through the fields, and moved the animals... Nice and easy.

But the quad did not start up again.

And we had to walk back.

So, when we got to the highway the kids were hot and bothered.

So, I walked home. IN my mud boots (hot mama on the highway) and got the car and went back and got the kids.

The quad was left in the field for Mr. Sexton.

Who said 'why didn't you pull start it?' Along with, 'The Honda has a bad starter'.

Um... no one told us! And WHAT pull starter?

Oh.. but the excitement did not stop there!

Apparently, after I had left with Jake to 'go do' the Baker Market, Dick and Sami left here on another Honda (the little one), to go get the Big Honda out of the field..

Hmm... that means two Hondas, that came home on the highway. Each with a driver.

Hello!

Anyway, Pasture Poultry is here! We are taking preorders for the 25 birds that will be ready in two weeks!!!!!!!

All Creatures Great and Small!

2009-06-05T11:28:00.001-07:00

Baby Calves
Nope! That's not a mirror image!

Eggs, Lamb Milk, and A Birthday Cake
This is our back up fridge... Not much room for extras!
Later in the summer this is where I usually stash
all my market fruit!
Gonna need another fridge!!

The Bummer Lambs
Some are in their new fenced yard, and the younger ones
are chasing Jake (outside of fence)

.The Bummer Lamb Pen
This is a hot fence. Before, the lambs were running loose and wild!
Since they are bottle lambs, they would run up to anyone and smack into
them, trying to find milk...
So glad the fence is up!
Now we need the chickens penned up.
They are hiding eggs in very difficult places!!

And the Smallest Of Creatures
My daughters baby gophers.
She found them while out irrigating with her daddy...
They only lasted 3 days.
If you see her, don't say anything.
She was feeding them milk w/ a dropper.
And, either the heat lamb was too hot (my guess), or her missed feeding
caused their unfortunate demise...
****************

Oh my...

It's June and it is crazy crazy busy here at the ranch!

The kids are out of school (YEAH!)... so now they get to sleep in until 6am... I know.. It seems mean, doesn't it? Only 6am??? Yet, during the school year they get woken up at 5:45 am... so really, they are getting to sleep in!

We have to wake early because of the bummer lambs - that get fed at 6am, then noon, then 6pm.

Believe me, this schedule is so much nicer than it was 2 weeks ago, when we were feeding lambs in two separate groups at all different hours!

So, errands to town get run in between feedings... And on market days, one poor child has to stay home and do all the chores... that are normally split between them.

Our days consist of:

Bottle Feeding the bummer lambs (we have 10).

Feeding Chicks and Chickens

Gathering Eggs

Watering the Lawn or Mowing the Lawn

Helping Dad with any projects: Fencing, Marking Lambs (coming Monday), etc.

So, there you have it!
I'll share more later!!!!

Pendleton Market Starts Tomorrow Night!

2009-05-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

A few Chickens Love the Kitty Crate
(the problem with 'free range' chickens!)
Even though they have their own houses, a few renegades look for their own
hiding places.
Just a few. These are the eggs we get to eat!
I'll be happy when the egg mobile is built!

The cows got moved into the back 40.

The cows apparently like the chicken house fence, a little too much!

They just got moved today!

Our first bummer lambs of 2009!
Anna and Briana
(Sami named them)
Jake is feeding them!

Back When the calves were weaned
Cows on onside of the double electric fence
Calves on the other!
We have grass growing now!
Lots and Lots of grass

Do You See the Egg?
One of our chickens decided she wanted to lay eggs under this little bench.
Then one of the dogs decided he would steal all the eggs he found loose!
The egg is covered in a concoction of hot sauce stuff.

Back when the ducks were itty bitty - and cute and manageable!

Hello Everyone!

Today is May 7th and the Pendleton Market starts tomorrow!!!!

It's hard to believe the markets are up and running again!

Last Saturday Sami and I stood in the rain for four hours at the Boise Market... and drove in the rain both ways (total of 5 hours drive time)... Here's how it went. Got up at 3:20 am, left at 4:20 am, drive in the rain, setup in the rain, took down in the rain, drove home in the rain... Insane.

Let's just say... we were wet... everything was wet. The inside of my market money box, the inside of my boots, all of it... Wet, Wet Wet.

And, come to think of it, it's been raining since!

*****

So, what's new, you ask?

We started lambing yesterday! Yep. Got some baby lambs. Two babies are in our garage right now under a heat lamp. Itty bitty little things!

And, we have all sorts of chicks, ducks, chickens and eggs in various stages of 'growth' around here! There are 52 dozens eggs in the back fridge (watch out Pendleton!)...

The 'newness' includes:

70 laying hens
50 live chicks under heat lambs
Another 5 chicks that were the only survivors of a 'horrid' mail order (50 were sent)
7 ducks - causing lots of problems....
50 more chicks to arrive next week....

Anyone ever raise ducklings?

This is our first time and boy, are they little stinkers! They are sharing a box with the 5 survivor chicks... The waterer is 'empty' within an hour because they do very weird things with their duck bills... You can actually hear this funky guzzle noise that they do! And if you look closely, water gets splayed out the sides of their bills! Strange...

But, they are adorable!

And, the mama cows are now 'in the back 40' - the field behind our house. One already was in my yard, and another has managed to 'mangle' part of the chicken coop fence (it was a nice 'kennel' fence I might add!) - by using it as a 'rub' to get rid of her winter coat.

So, tomorrow I will be venturing to the Pendleton Market. They have lots of changes in store for us vendors.. A new location, a new manager, and apparently, some new guidelines!

Here's to the 2009 season! Let's hope some sunshine graces us with it's warm face this Mother's Day weekend! Our tradition is to go plant shopping, and then to our favorite Mexican restaurant.. But, since it's been raining, the sheering crew has been on hold until the sun arrives.

Most likely we will be shearing this weekend (fingers crossed!)....

And, I hope to mow my lawn...
It's insanely long!!!!!
hmm.. maybe I should let the cows in the yard!

Easter News! Market News! Tasting News!

2009-03-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

Both of These Eggs are from Our Chickens!
The 'bullet' was a double yolk.. We're getting lots of doubles!

Just A shot of Sami and a few members of her 'herd'
Sami's goat (Olive), calf (Star) and puppy(Bugsy)
Note.. Bugs was chasing more than herding!

More of Our Eggs!

Ranch Log, March 31st... 32 degrees - and (fingers crossed) climbing!

Deep Sigh....
It's March 31st and winter will NOT go away! My world is 'white' outside. White sky, white ground... Yep. It's snowing. Oh the beauty of living at 3,500 feet! Hard to beleive it was 60 degrees last Friday! Yes, 60. Haven't seen that gorgeous temperature in a while! And, come to think of it, I have not seen it since last Friday! That was the day I washed windows, did some yard cleanup and got all giddy about Spring! Later in the week, it snowed. I took the kids skiing on Thursday... keep in mind our 'spring staycation' included things like, fixing the trampoline, getting the garden area cleaned/planned, bike rides, playing in Boise (yes! did that one!) and other 'silly spring things'!

OK.. Back to 'work'! Thanks for listening...

We've got lots to share to fasten your seat belts and get ready to print!!!

Easter Deliveries - Date Change!: I am moving the delivery date to next Wednesday, April 8th! Most of you that have placed orders are 'in the know' but for those that are waiting until the last minute, please be advised!!! I'll be in Baker at noon, La Grande at 2pm and Pendleton at 4pm - at the usual stops, on Wednesday! Please contact me immediately to be sure we have your order in the hopper!
Note: We changed the delivery date due to two other events that I am is at this weekend! (We are doing a lamb tasting Friday Night at the Crossroads Center for the Arts, and, Andi is attending the 'Strategies for Today's Market' Workshop/Business Fair in Baker this weekend!)

Speaking of 'hoppers' and Easter: Got Eggs? WE DO!!!!!! We have tons of fresh, natural, range free chicken produced eggs! It's a surprise to us that we have so many eggs being laid. Our new 'girls' were not supposed to lay until May! Oopsy daisy! Anyway, with Easter on April 12th now is a GREAT time to load up on some gorgeous naturally colored eggs to decorate! Yep! We have brown ones, blue ones, green ones!!! They are gorgeous all natural or enhanced with your favorite color dyes. Boil them and decorate them with your favorite supplies (we use my never ending supply of scrapbook goodies over here at Casa Sexton!) such as stickers, ribbons, and buttons! And by the way, if you have never had fresh off the ranch eggs, you MUST try them! They have a gorgeous dark yellow yolk, and are very healthy and rich in vitamins and minerals! Our eggs are gathered every night by Jake, and both he and Sami will be selling eggs at the markets this year!
Speaking of Easter Dinners! If you prefer to dine out in a beautiful, wonderful, and tasty atmosphere, our friends and partners at Ten Depot (Hi Sandy!) and Foley Station (Hi Merlyn!), both fine restaurants in La Grande, and awesome supporters of local producers, are all stocked up with our Grass Fed Natural lamb! Be sure to contact them if you are planning to dine out for Easter - or any other evening for that matter! And let them know your friends at Sexton Ranches sent you! Now, if you are preparing a beautiful feast for your family - be sure to get in touch with us... We have Racks of Lamb, Lamb Kabobs and a few roasts left! (I have a shoulder roast slow cooking in the oven right now!!!)
And, Speaking of Markets! Oh my! The markets are just around the corner! Our season kick's off with the Boise Market on April 18th! Pendleton starts May 8th, Baker is June 6th and La Grande is May 16th!

Here's a DRAFT of our market plans:

Boise: The first and third Saturdays
Pendleton: The 2nd and 4th Fridays
Baker: The second Saturday
La Grande: The fourth Saturday

Note: This is just a draft! I still have to plot it all out on a calendar and match it to other events and happenings on the ranch! Note: Baker is still deciding on which week night to have a market, Wednesday or Thursday... We may be at one of those as well! And La Grande has a weeknight market too that we might try out! We'll keep you posted...

Website Plans: You may have noticed our website is sorely lacking in up-to-date info! I have actually been using our blog to keep things current... Those of you that ask for current prices I email pdf files to, as well as the newsletter and other ranch publications.... Our latest strategy is to 'do it ourselves'...The website that is! So please be patient as I try to deal with this whole new learning curve! It's going to take awhile until 'it's up and running'. But the good news is, I will be able to update it on demand! Yeah!

OK! Well, I see the snowflakes are getting bigger and bigger out there! It's 11:30 am and I better go see if the chickens and Sami's rabbits, goat, calf and other 'loose' critters need more shelter!

I hope to hear from you soon and see you at the markets! If you are in the Baker Area, stop by Crossroads Friday night! The tasting includes: Rack of Lamb, Lamb Shoulder Steaks, Natural Lamb & Beef Salami's, and, I'll have some of our eggs decorated to hand out!

Take Care,
Andi

March Deliveries and Chicken News!

2009-03-05T06:20:00.000-08:00

Chick-A-Wahs!!!
(The name we call when feeding)
See our Free Range Chickens????

iHere are a few (along with a cat) roaming the yard!

Is It Spring Yet?
My raised beds...

More Chickens!

Hello everyone!

Deliveries are this Saturday for Eastern Oregon, and next weekend for Boise. Other areas, please email me...

Newsflash!!!! We have eggs coming out of our ears! Our chickens are back in the groove... and we have 50 additional chickens (remember we bought chicks in December?????) that should be laying in May! Oh my.... so this means, a new product at our markets!

Eggs are available NOW with your orders.

Suggested items for March delivery: Lamb sausages, beef or lamb salami, Beef Kielbasa & Bratwurst (for St. Patty's Day), Beef Roasts, Lamb Roasts, and EGGS!

Easter is next month! Watch your snail mail for a newsletter - markets will be starting next month!!!!

Happy Spring(ish)...

Latest News & Time for Winter Deliveries!!!

2009-01-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

Your's Truly Snowshoeing in the Back 40!

Jake - Herding one of the Stray Chickens
Chickens do not like snow, by the way! They are hilarious to watch!
They pick up their little chicken feet and place them very carefully...

My Snow Shoeing Partner Sami - and two other pals in the background!
Sami is my outdoor gal! She is a great sport when it comes to working and
playing outside!

Sami and Her 2009 Snow Pal

**********

Hello ever so patient customers!!! It looks like we are back on track with our winter deliveries (after storms canceled our December and January attempts)!

Before I post the new delivery schedule I thought I would share with you a few news items:

Natural Beef Brats, Kielbasa and Salami are BACK in the house! Yes.. after 3 canceled appointments in December and January, the sausage man and I finally got it together! He is in Mackee Idaho, and I am near Haines, Oregon. We meet 1/2 way in Boise, Idaho and had to dodge storms and other bullets! Thanks again to those of you waiting for these tasty goodies! These items are all natural, without any additives, nitrites or other funky stuff.

Ranch Eggs are Coming Soon!!! Due to a very resound 'go for it' on our chicken and egg survey, we now have close to 70 hens that are 'wintering over' until laying season. Yep. Seventy. We should have eggs this April! Just in time for the markets!!! Yahoo! And, Sami and Jake will be your egg sales people.

Our local post-office was very 'freaked' about the box of 50 baby chicks that arrived at their station one Friday morning at 7:30am. I called with the heads up of course, but they just could not believe that the Sextons', in their infinite wisdom would order chicks going into Winter! I had to explain the whole 'chickens don't lay until they are 4 months old' deal, and that we wanted eggs for this spring.. Kinda sad considering the Post Office lady is a ranch wife. Not all who live on ranches have chickens, apparently.

Sami has n2 more new goats! This brings her herd up to a grand total of 4. That would be one buck, and three does. Sam hopes to be making goat cheese and perhaps sell goat meat, and milk. We have lots of hurdles to move through on this venture, considering our Pals at USDA and other governing agencies 'just don't get it'. But we will keep you posted.

Sami also got three new bunnies for Christmas! No, these are not for meat. They are her pets - but you never know! I'm sure we will have photos at this year's markets...

OK! Now it is time for the schedule!

Eastern Oregon Delivery Dates:
Baker is at 10 am, La Grande is noon and Pendleton at 2pm.

February 7th, Saturday - focus is Valentine's Day Deliveries: Lamb Racks, Kabobs, and Lamb Steaks - in addition to your 'regular' cuts and orders.
March 7th, Saturday - focus is on early Easter Deliveries (leg of lamb, whole or 1/2 lambs), and St Patrick's Day (Beef Brats, Kielbasa, and lamb Sausages) and any other 'regular' cuts
April 4th, Saturday - Focus is Easter Deliveries and any 'regular' cuts!

Boise Delivery Dates: *** Please note I am trying Weekend Deliveries *****
Weekend times and location are 'open' - meaning, let's figure out a good time - let me know if Saturday or Sunday works... Also, see above for suggested cuts.

February 8th Sunday or 14th - Saturday. Please Pick one! Focus is Valentines Day
March 14, Saturday: Focus is Early Easter Orders and St. Patrick's Day
April 5th - Sunday, and/or April 18, Saturday: Focus is Easter and 'back to the market'!!!

Be sure to email me with any questions regarding your orders! We have lots of lamb sausages, and are stocked with LOTS of beef roasts, lamb stew, lamb roasts, shanks, and lamb steaks as well as bulk beef.

Have a great day!
Andi

Why Yes, It is Cold!

2008-12-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

How cold? Minus 17 cold.... Yep.. That is how we started our day today... But the sun is shining! And we have a break in snow storms!

Here are the deets:

There was frost on the inside of the sliding glass door - in our bedroom
I found 21 chicken eggs frozen and cracked - as in busted open! And they are in a chicken house
The chicks water in the barn was frozen
Cuddle Bug (the puppy) looked like the abominable snow dog this morning at 6:30 am. He had frozen eyelashes and whiskers and decided to stay in the garage most the morning!
I have broken ice twice today (critter water)
I am inside the house and got my thermals on under my clothes!
My cheeks are burnin' (face that is!) from being outside!!!

Just thought I would share!

Catch you all soon! Tomorrow are the Boise Deliveries.. between snow storms.. The next one is to hit Thursday! Oh Boy!!!

Getting Holiday Ready & Winter Deliveries - December 13 & 17th!

2008-12-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

Jake's Snow Creatures
This is a sample of my son's version of snow men
(last winter's photo)

Our Tree! The $5.00 Permit Tree!
We cut down our tree on Saturday and decorated it Yesterday.
Let me tell you.. I LOVE a fresh cut tree!
It lasts longest, smells the best,
and doesn't turn to a crisp the first week it graces your living room.
This is the 'first' result of our efforts. We will do some 'touch ups' in a couple days.

Fa la la la la

Jake was my light testing assistant
I'm not sure why he is putting a light bulb to his temple.
Some of the things that he does will always be a mystery to me
(and somethings I really don't want the answer to!)

My Assistant Tree Trimmers
Sami took charge of the tree decor this year.
She sorted all the ornaments, unwrapped all the boxes and tissue, and made sure the tree was decorated to her standards.

Hmm... Hey Pardner, Where Did You Come From?
Seriously.. The tree had several cowboys and Indians lurking in it when it came time to trim the tree. I suspect Grandma Pat, who left that morning... The kids denied any part of this.

*******************

Hello everyone! How is your winter coming along?

Our wood stove has been going nonstop this past week. I know, because I have been the main stoker of wood since Mr. Sexton took off to Nebraska for a class last Wednesday. Yes. Nebraska. Tell me, does this ever happen in your household? My husband took off for 6 days and drove, to save money on airfare. Well, his first day on the road cost an extra $400. He picked up a switchblade type of knife in one tire on the interstate, ended up with a flat, and had to get 2 new tires... Yep. That is how we roll. One thing always leads to another!

This morning we woke to icy roads and just a dusting of snow. We haven't had real snow since October 10th, yet, the forecast this week should align us with the snow Gods. We do love our snow. Jake has been praying each night for the stuff. Do you remember the Comic Strip Calvin and Hobbs? Well, Calvin was known for his scary snowmen creations - and their ability to scare his father (paybacks). Jake is 2nd in line for the funky snow creature notoriety. I'll have to share some photos of last years creatures. They are hilarious!

OH! The reason for this post! Winter deliveries are scheduled for this Saturday (Eastern Oregon) and next Wednesday or Thursday for the Boise area. (Note: I will do my best to stick to the schedule, yet, if we do get snowstorms on those days, I will need to reschedule for the following week!)

Be sure to get in touch with us via email to place holiday roast orders... our current inventory includes:

Boned and Rolled Leg of Lamb
Lamb Shoulder Roasts
Leg of Lamb - Bone In
Rack of Lamb
Beef Chuck Roasts, Tip Roasts, Rump Roasts
Beef Tri-tip (very limited!)

And, I am running specials on Lamb Chops (due to a thin cut - aka processing error).

Next week we should have our natural beef salami, bratwurst and kielbasa back in our inventory. I am scheduled to meet the 'sausage man' in Boise, fingers crossed!

Eggs Are Coming!
Guess what? We have 50 baby chicks chirping and growing in the brown 'shed'! Yep. chicks. Thank you to those of you that 'egged us on' to start this enterprise. These babies are our new egg layers, and they will go into production come May. They are being fed a natural chick starter, and will be free-range egg layers. The egg business will be the enterprise of our kidlets. Sami and Jake already have customers reserving eggs! If you are one of our regular farmers' market customers, let us know if you would like to be added to their waiting list. The breed is Buff Orphington, the same as our favorite hen Goldie, who 'went on to greener pastures' this past summer.

Hope to see you soon!
Andi Sexton

Baker Market Fundraiser A Huge Success!

2008-10-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

Mr. Sexton, The grill miester at the Baker Market

Check out those sausages! Natural lamb sausages!
Sexton Ranches Natural Lamb sausages!

The food line
Our organizer, fellow vendor and past board president, May Heriza is on the right. The Heriza family is just amazing. They donate so many hours, goods and services to our community. What a awesome love for community the have. I am humbled by their service.

You Gotta Have Caramel Apples at a Harvest Festival!
Look at these two cuties! They actually were dropped off at their soccer game while Dick and I were at the market. Thank you Michelle for bring them back!
Such happy faces...

******************

Excuse me while I catch up on all my past events!

On September 27th we were one of the volunteer vendors that donated to the Baker City Farmers Market Harvest Festival fundraiser. We donated $100 in lamb sausages that Dick grilled on site, and was it ever a gorgeous day!

I do believe this was our last gorgeous Fall day. Ever since the weekends have been rainy, cold, snowy or windy! We aren't a regular vendor at Baker, as a matter of fact, we were only at the Thursday Night markets, during the summer and only twice a month!

Yet, Baker holds a special place in my heart. My kids grew up with this market. Jake was 2 and Sami was 3 when we started it many years ago (7!). Yep. A handful of moms started the market as a class project for our Master Gardener Program certification! We had to give back 40 hours to the community in exchange for our certification. Beth and I were volunteer managers in addition to being vendors, and look at how it has grown! My kids have always been able to run around and play, and the move from a bank parking lot to the Geiser Pollman Park was the best step ever taken. I am now once again on the board (after a 2 year hiatus) and I am proud to say, what a great 'baby' we have! Now two nights!

Way to go Baker! Look How You Have Grown!!!!

Thank You Pendleton!!!!

2008-10-13T16:52:00.001-07:00

Pendleton Market on a Friday Night
Dick the BBQ Master Giving Out Samples Of Our Goods
Our tasting consisted of Beef salami, 2 types of lamb sausage (Apple, Merquez) and New York Steaks! I ran out of everything in the sales department!! Dick kept asking me why I didn't have more - I kept reminding him we sold it all and we came with loaded ice-chests!

Our Assistants - Minus a few layers!
The kids mostly played in the truck.. Sharon, our friend and the Market Manager did take them to visit the bakery vendor. Always a hit with kids! When we got home and did chores these guys were pooped! Saturday was definately a 'sleep in' day! Plus, Jake and I were getting sick!

A potential customer going in for the taste!

This past Friday started with a panic... We had 1/2 inch of snow on the ground and our local weather forecast was just plain horrid (more snow, rain, wind)... Our goal was to get to Pendleton for the Friday Night Market - which we had planned for 2 months! All of us, plus our BBQ and all the goods to go for our last Pendleton Market and with a tasting...

The Pendleton forecast showed sunshine. Hard to believe, considering our local forecast. So, trusting the forecast, we went forward with our plans.. I started the prep work at 9am... we got home at 9pm...

What a night! All of us were in our long johns and layered to the tilt, and as we drove down into Pendleton, the temps rose up to 55! (We left with 37 degrees and returned to 37!)...

Thank you everyone who came out and visited with us and bought our goods and to those of you with your 'huge' preorders! It was great for Dick to meet all our regular customers. Pendleton is a wonderful community of great vendors and customers... Yes, everyone knows your name! It's hard to beleive the season has ended... But, I will be back! The Sexton's Winter Deliveries start November 15th - and we already have 3 orders!

Thank you!!!

How We Put Grass Into Grass-Finished Beef

2008-09-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings From Sexton Ranches
Hello! I am about to take you on a tour of the 'life of Andi and her kids' this past weekend. Mr. Sexton was out of town for a few days, and so we got to move the Heifers (twice a day) and Direct Market Beef (once a day). This involved putting up electric fence and taking it down. As well as feeding the guard dog, checking water, and getting all that done before having to drive to town at 9:45 am so the kids could play soccer in the rain for an hour!
Nothing like a 30% chance of precip that results is rain for over 24 hours!

You are about to see some awesome grass in late September at 3,500 feet! This is why our Grass-Fed Beef and Lamb are so darn tasty, healthy, and have 'ideal' fat! REAL grass!
Super Groceries!
And, some awesome ranch kids, too!

Here we Have Sami And Jake setting up a fence
Our cattle get 'moved' from one paddock to another. Think of it as making a field longer each day. They get access to more grass by moving the hot wire farther down. And the water source is always at the top of the field. (This is the heifer field).

Check it Out
In the Heifer Field
Jake is setting up new posts, Sami is pacing off to the next post. Yes, that's right!
Pacing! Both kids know their pace. Oh the joys of an ex USDA employee!
(My confession: I had a career with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service before I became a ranch wife! My pace is 5 feet. Dick taught the kids to measure in yards.)

Sami Driving in a Post
The metal post is at the end of the line where the reel ties into the hot boundary fence.
Check out that post driver!!!! Dick made it 'specially' for the kids!
What a great daddy!

The Heifers Moving to New Grass
As the old fence is getting taken down the trick is to reel the line in and keep it tight and up off the ground so the cattle move behind you instead of in front (and into the wire).

Oh My.. See all that Grass and Clover?
This is an awesome pasture mix. We are now in the Direct Market Beef Field.
Sami found a total of 5 four leaf clovers over the weekend. Seriously.
You know, we have lots of double rainbows out here in our country.
We are truly blessed and lucky!!!!
I have a few photos of my boots with strawberry clover blooms.
Sigh...

Getting Ready to take down the Drect Market Beef Fence
Orientation: Those hills are facing East.
Can You see the browse line? The hot line is running from 'North to South' (the reel is at the left most point) is at the top of the grazed field. If you look under that reel you can see a difference in grass height (24 hours). The new grass that they will get to 'run into' is on the other side, East.

The Grass
ALL the grass is gorgeous! The stuff they were grazing is still gorgeous!
But 8 of these babies are leaving tomorrow and we want them happy, sassy and fat!
Yep. Fat. Our goal is tasty Grass Finished Beef with Tasty Omega 3 and CLA fat.
Marbling, baby.

Here they Are!

The Direct Market Beef in their new pasture.
Which one would you like?
Now is the time to pick!!!

And the Parting Shot
Sami Feeding Jessie, our Guard Dog who is out with the sheep

***************
Andi's Soap Box: Definitions and the good ol' USDA

So.. I learned a little lesson recently. Apparently, 'Grass Fed' is not all that we think, according to the USDA. Yep. Here we go with another one of my 'gotta love our government' complaints.

Recently I received in the mail the publication 'Protecting Your Farm or Ranch: A Guide for Direct Farm Marketing in Idaho', a document put together by Rural Roots. So, on page 72 here is what I found for a Grass-Fed definition:

Grass-Fed: As defined by the USDA, cattle (and other livestock) bearing a "grass-fed" claim receive grass, green or range pasture, or forage for 80 percent or more of their primary energy source throughout the animal's life. These animals may be finished on grain, or receive grass feed in a non-pasture area.

Hello! Now how's that for a loophole? Let's see here. If an animal is harvested at 18 months, then 80 percent of their life equates to 14.4 months, which means, according to the USDA a grass-fed animal could actually be shipped off site, and housed in a dirt floor feed-lot eating grains and other 'stuff' for up to 3.6 months! Gads. Gross. Nasty. Cheater cheaters pumpkin eaters.

So all this time I have been saying the wrong thing about our beef and lamb! I should be telling our customers that our livestock is Grass-Finished!

Here is the definition of Grass-Finished:
Cattle (and other livestock) bearing a 'grass-finished' claim (not defined by USDA) have received only grass, green or range pasture, or forage their entire lives until the day of slaughter.

Yep. That's we are doing! But, wait... I can't get that on a USDA approved label? Even though this is what we are doing????? It's not defined by the USDA? Who are these bozos and what the heck are they doing? Aren't they supposed to be the United States Department of Agriculture? Seems like they are the United States Dismantling Agriculture Department.

Dear USDA,
You guys are so out to lunch!
A plastic lined, highly processed, boxed lunch that has traveled a bazillion miles and most likely has been irradiated at some point in it's life cycle 'because you say it will save lives'. And lets not forget the dyes, preservatives, and injections!
Are you actually a healthy, thriving living cancer free organism?

Gads.

News Flash! Taking Reservations for Fall Locker Grass Fed Beef and Lambs

2008-08-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! We are gearing up for our fall and winter deliveries and will start having our next order of locker grass fed beef and lambs available in October.

For those of you that have thought long and hard about investing in safe, healthy meats, from a local source, we would love to 'meet' your needs!

And, for those of you on a limited budget, as most of us are, let us know if you would be interested in billing options. We have 11 grass-fed beef and 30 grass-fed lambs to process, and as great meat products, they deserve freezer homes where they would be contributing to the health and nutrition of appreciative families, rather than being in storage. This would be a win win situation for both of us! Meaning, the less storage space I need to 'rustle up' the better!

Now to my soapbox - Topic: Rising Costs! (not to you, don't worry):

Like most of you, we are feeling the squeeze on our dollars, not just at the pump, but everywhere! I just read two articles this morning (over my huckleberry waffles!) about the 'creative' packaging food providers are pulling - less quantity for the same price in the same old packaging, or, smaller packages, same pricing.. GAG! (Source: August 15, 2008 issue of the Capital Press, page 9, 'Food giants race to pass rising costs to shoppers, by Scott Kilman and, page 13, 'Incredible Shrinking Groceries, by Bill Duncan). I promise you, we would never attempt to pull the wool over your eyes. Our pricing is up front.. per pound.. not per ounce (which some meat producers are doing - to give the appearance of kinder, gentler pricing - yet prices are higher)...

So, get this... Along with the added high costs associated with getting our meats to markets, this week I was surprised to see on our processing bill that the processor raised our cut and wrap fees an additional $10 per head! So far, per lamb, we pay $90 in processing alone. This does not include any travel, storage, advertising costs, or my time as the employee to go to the farmers markets and sell our meats, as well as special deliveries... Lean times my friends, lean times... but at least, we can put healthy safe meats on our own table as well. This lifestyle does have it's benefits..

Oh... And, to add insult to injury, the processor did not call us or inform us of this new expense...

It's sad, since we have been working together for at least 7 years, and one would hope, a relationship has been established. One with open communication. Another situation occurred last week. A great restaurant we work with closed it's doors. No word. No contact. No returned calls. We have 800 pounds of meat reserved for the restaurant. Scary times.

The processor also gave me a hard time for having custom orders done - primarily for 1/2 a lamb. I mean, come on.. when does 1/2 lamb suddenly become an inconvenience for a business that is supposedly a small, family run business?

I drive back to Boise tomorrow, to pick up the remaining August grass-fed lambs, make deliveries, and hopefully work out some of these 'bumps' with our processor. I hope it goes well...

Another Soapbox - The So Called Good Guys
OH.. did you hear or read about the Coleman Beef recall? Yep. More e-coli. In ground beef.. slated for Whole Foods - a natural/organic/healthy food store with very strict grower guidelines... A Nebraska Processing Plant is the culprit. Whole Foods who monitors most of it's supply chain with a heavy fist, said 'it did not know Coleman Beef was using that plant'. Sure pals. The plant is one with a history of tainted meat... Coleman Beef is a 'big corporate' natural beef company. One (and this just the world according to Andi) I guess, where they really don't know what occurs at the ranch, and probably never even meet their growers face to face.. Basically, a broker, just like conventional agriculture, but with the Natural label.. That bugs me...

But the real kicker.. Is Whole Foods.. These guys are a piece of work, let me tell you.. they have very strict guidelines when it comes to working with producers.. Which, is good for you the consumer..but at times they are just 'out to lunch' (again, the World According to Andi). Where they have gotten out of hand, is the 'back door' political crud they are pulling with Country Natural Beef. Yep. The real cooperative group of landowners who raise natural beef to a specific guideline, and have on-site inspections, and third party verification, and jump through tons of hoops set out by Whole Foods - to get their product to you (we used to be members!).

You see, Whole Foods has been working with a huge labor union (United Farm Workers) and strong arming Beef Northwest (the feedlot for Country Natural Beef) to have employees join the union... They say they aren't strong arming them, but when you hear rumors of promises they have made to employees of what they will do for them if they become a union member, it's ugly. Also, Beef Northwest wanted a third party to have an election. Make it neutral, and honest. Turns out the UFW did it the election on their own, behind the back of Beef Northwest and did not share data, or prove election results. They just said the employees want it and voted for it.

Very nasty. Very ugly. And Whole Foods is totally in bed with this outfit. Again, the World According to Andi. And don't get me started on the main owner of Whole Foods who did some sneaky Whole Foods stock trading/selling under an alias name last year... to line his own 'healthy safe' pockets...That one did hit the press...

Why am I sharing all this? Because when it comes to buying local, safe, healthy food, there are lots of deals cut, politics, and ugly dealings as you travel from the producer up the chain of the corporate food system.

One person termed it 'The food mafia.'

Small is better. For many reasons.

School Food Systems - Be Afraid! Very Afraid!

2008-07-27T06:44:00.000-07:00

Here we go again...

I just read in our local paper that our School District is going to cut the school food budget.

This aught to be interesting...

One of the budget cutting recommendations was to 'cook food from scratch'. Hello! We are going to 'cook food from scratch' to cut costs??? NOT because it is the healthier thing to do????? The best thing for our children? Something is way out of whack.

Things that irritate me with our school food system:

Child Obesity is at an unprecedented high.
Observations: Schools do not serve kids real food. Nope. It is packaged crap full of carbs, sugars and junk. Sorry.. A fruit cup out of the can is sugar. It's processed. It's not real fruit. Oh. and there is no PE program! Fact. But boy do 'we' want computers in every classroom (and we budget for it) so the kids can sit their asses down in front of a screen, and not interact with other kids or the teacher... zombies I tell you.. Zombies with no social skills and the inability to be attentive.

Little fat unhealthy Zombies.

True story: I threw a fit that our kids were not getting whole milk at school. Their options were: (I kid you not): 2% skim white milk, or chocolate milk or strawberry. The kids get to pick which one they drink. Gee, what do you think the kids are drinking????? THE SUGAR WATER!! I actually had the nerve to complain and insist that my kids not be allowed to drink the sugar water unless it was a Friday. And, I actually got a lecture about the fats in whole milk and that the school district is under some sort of mandate to have the kids on a certain calorie diet, because of the child obesity thing... Never mind that those whole milk calories are healthy calories for growing bones and minds. Nope. Better to starve your kids all day with junk calories and feed them crap that exasperates the problem.

Second Pet Peeve: The School District DOES NOT budget money for a healthy food system! They BUY CHEAP CRAP that is usually on a contracted basis, and in our case, from out of state!!!

Can anybody hear me out there??? Your kids are eating food that is not cooked from scratch. As in, the food is cooked elsewhere, packaged and shipped sent to the schools to be reheated. YOU have no idea what your kids are eating, where it comes from, and the 'hidden' costs - aka your child's obesity and their attention problems. They come home tired, exhausted, and hungry.

This is also why your school kitchen is not equipped for 'real' cooking when you go, let's say, to volunteer as a parent for a food event that your PTO has organized as a school fund raiser (to purchase new computers, no doubt)! This is why the sinks backup when you try to do some real cooking! And the hot water runs out! And there are not enough sharp knives, refrigerator space, or big pots, or tools to prepare the meal! It's not a real kitchen, because real food is not washed, prepared or cooked on sight. The kitchen is a warming kitchen.

OH.. And get this. The school district is proposing to cut the cooking staff hours, and supplement with students serving food.

For crying out loud!

I certainly don't want my kids eating food served by other kids! I've seen 'evidence' of their sanitary food handling skills!

I've been in the girls restroom. HARDLY ANY wash their hands after using the facilities (I've seen this of adult women in public restrooms as well - it's an epidemic people.. Gee.. and why do people get sick from eating out???? You think it's food poising? I beg to differ.)

I've 'watched' kids pick up food, then put it back on the plate, with their bare 'stinky yucky' hands.

I've 'watched' the mother with her four kids come in to a school food function, where snacks are served, and let the snotty little ones run loose, who are free to pick up cookies with their snotty little hands, and put them back until they find the one they want...

Grosses me out...

Our kids are served breakfast at home before they go to school. The most important meal of the day, they say. We let them eat lunch at school.

Looks like we will be packing lunches as well.

No way are my kids are going to be eating school foods under the new program.. GAG...

Food Soapbox Issues: Tomatoes, Jalapenos, Ground Beef

2008-07-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

What do tomatoes, jalapeños and ground beef have in common?

Food recalls.
Unknown sources of nasty bugs.
Things that can kill you..
Sick people who ate food that they thought was safe.
A government that is clueless when it comes to insuring your food safety

Yep. I blame it on the good ol' U S of A. Why? Because your government still does not 'get it' when it comes to the need for a country of origin labeling system combined with source traceability when it comes to our food sources. You and I deserve the sanctity of traceability of the foods we purchase and consume.

Why is it that a government so hell bent on rules and regulations (seat belts, kids under 12 in the back seat, USDA processing of meats, labeling of food ingredients) can not figure out how to have a system in place to trace the food we purchase back it it's source within minutes of an outbreak?

Why is it that your government instead does a recall on the entire AMERICAN industry, putting thousands AMERICAN farmers out of business, rather than finding the single source business (usually out of Country) that is the cause for the outbreak?

Mad Cow: The source was in Canada. Ask the majority of US beef producers how their business suffered in addition to our exports.
Tomatoes: The source was not a tomato. Ask the Florida growers that are now broke how they fell about that.
Jalapenos: The source was in Mexico. Ask the US growers that are now broke how they feel about their government putting them out of business.

People. You need to demand better, and you need to 'think' when you shop. Your safety is not a guarantee when you purchase food at a grocery store or big box. Just like when you go to a Doctor to find out why you are sick - there are no guarantees, and yet, you still pay the Doctor bill! HA! How about that????

You need to know where your food is coming from! When you choose to buy from a super market, or big box outfit (Costco, Walmart, Safeway, Albertsons) because it is cheaper, you need to understand what the true cost is. Your health. Your families health.

Be smart. Know where your food comes from when you buy it.

Trace your food back to the source.
Know that it was raised in sanitary conditions, in a healthy environment, and packaged correctly.
Don't you deserve to eat healthy, safe food?

We think so.

Amen.

Morning Routine

2008-07-23T09:35:00.001-07:00

I posted our morning routine on my personal blog. Today is a post about moving hand lines, along with the other things that consume the first 4 hours of the day!

Here it is! Irrigating 101

Badger Comes Home

2008-07-01T16:49:00.001-07:00

Jake and Badger

Itty Bitty Badger, taking in his new digs

Badger's mommy did not 'make it' through last Tuesday. We knew there was something wrong with her when we were moving sheep, and she died that night. Poor Badger. As you saw in the previous post he is a 'little guy' and probably was not getting enough nourishment.

Jake and Sami struck a bargain. Sami want's the next bummer calf, so Jake got Badger. We are now up to 8 bottle lambs at home. They have decided that sleeping on the front steps (the lambs) to the house is the place to be, and running on the deck at 10pm is the hieght of their enjoyment. Sounds like a hard rain when the run and wakes me every time!

I'll have to share some cow and calf photos with you next! We have Red Angus cows and boy are they beautiful!

Working Sheep - Badger's Big Day

2008-07-01T16:02:00.000-07:00

Just Another Day At the Ranch!
The Walk to the Headquarters - 2 Miles from Home
Sami & Jake and Louie were the 'back crew' moving the ewes and lambs last week to the headquarters so we could mark lambs. The sheep have been in the field north of our house. The walk is from one end of the ranch to the other. See the little lamb guy with dark coloring? That is badger. Badger is a CVM (California Varigrated Mutant). CVM's were 'developed' at our California Ranch, Stone Valley Ranch, were my husband lived his entire life before we came to Oregon. Our breed of sheep is a Romeldale - a cross between a Romney & Ramboulete, both white faced sheep. For some genetic reason, CVM's are 'thrown' every now and then, and valued for their wool - no dyes necessary.

See?
Kids in back, Dick on the quad with some dogs,

and a vehicle going through the sheep

Our ranch is on the left side (east) of the highway.

It's always an adventure moving animals! This was a long walk for the kids. Keep in mind, the walk is the first leg of the work day! About 11:45 am I started wondering where my lunch customers were, and I went out and found them, no where near the headquarters! We decided to move lunch to the headquarters instead. A picnic.

So, I packed up all the goodies that I had waiting on the table into a picnic basket, and off I went to meet my crew! Keep in mind I'm not always this organized or ready! It just all worked out perfectly that I had sub sandwiches, sliced apples, sliced oranges and other finger foods picked out (instead of a hot meal!) for the day's menu. And yes, at times it feels like I am running a restaurant! This is a 3 meal a day, at home outfit.

At the headquarters corrals
Do you see badger? He's very small compared to the other guys!

Setting Up the Work Table

Ramon & I 'get to' be inside the pen with the ewes and lambs. Our job is to pick up the lambs, while the ewes run around crazily, attempting to squish us any chance they get. This job involves getting stepped on, ran into, sheep jumping into you, and the occasional face kick by a lamb.

The Furry Ranch Hands!
It was a 5 dog day, as apposed to a 5 Dog Night!!
Get it? Rock & Roll fans?

I thought I would share with you some photos of one of our work days... Last Tuesday, June 24th we 'marked lambs'. This is the process of lifting each lamb onto a work table, and vaccinating, tail fixing, ear fixing and 'boy part's fixing. I am one of the lamb lifters. We had about 175 lambs, and let me tell you, I was tired at the end of that 4-hour work shift!

In the photos keep track of the little guy with the dark coloring. His name is Badger. This was a big day for little Badger. We also had special appearances by Zoe the Llama, Jessie the Guard Dog and Betty the Goat. They also came with the sheep down the road and through the corrals and basically, from there, kept us on our toes.

Our crew consisted of:

4 dogs (with 1 puppy in training)
2 kids (they were in charge of assisting their Dad with the elasterators and vaccines
2 lamb lifters (Ramon & me)
and the Boss, Dick, my husband

I'll post more photos in another post!

Baker Market In Full Season!

2008-06-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

It's June 26th, Thursday..

Summer is officially here!

Tonight starts the Baker City Thursday Night Farmers Market! We are all packed up and ready to go! This is one of my kid's favorite markets, since they get to play in the Gieser Pollman Park with their scooters... Definitely a win win for everyone. I'll be there with cuts of lamb, beef and all sorts of lamb sausages and beef salami and beef summer sausage! Woo Hoo!

The market hours are from 4pm until 6pm. If you are in 'the hood' stop by! It's windy over here in our neck of the woods... We will see how it is in Baker.

Tomorrow night I will be at the Pendleton Market and Saturday at La Grande.

Hope to see you!

Boy Do We Have Lambs!

2008-05-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

Mamas and Babies - Below Stormy Sky - Looking North

Mama's and Baby's Below the Stormy Sky - Little to the Left!

Bummer Lamb Bottles

Evening Chores (Jake at the Chicken House)
Sheep in Back - Looking East

A Couple of 'Bummer Lambs' Hangin' At the Front Door!

Hi folks!
This is our crazy season... May is always a hectic bittersweet month. So many wonderful things happen here at our ranch - birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, lambing, calving, and finally, the welcoming of Spring!

Our winter lasted quite long - into the first week of May, so it seemed. I even had the wood stove going earlier this week! Spring is NOW finally here, and alas, we are playing 'catch up'!

We are chasing water (irrigating), chasing grass (grazing), and chasing baby lambs! We are also bottle feeding 8 lambs right now, and when they are out of there box or out in the yard, they chase us! Ever been 'goosed' by a lamb? This is a good time to have eyes in the back of your head. Yesterday about four of them 'attacked' me.. Oh.. and when I say 'we are bottle feeding', I mean mostly me, and when they are home, the kids. The lambs are the kid's project(s), but when they are at school, all critter chores become my project(s)! Feeding times are at 5:30 am; 9:30 am, 2pm, and 6pm. I'm just a little tied down right now!

This past week has been a very springy wet rainy week .. Last night from my 'office' desk, I watched a lightening storm. It was about 8:30pm, nice and dark, and then 'flash' in the sky! Gorgeous! This morning everything was wet. A storm had passed over us again.

The rains are just enough to keep everything beautifully green, with temps in the low 50's to high 6o's, sultry when the sun pops out, and my lawn is too wet to mow! It is also perfect gardening and weed pulling weather.. I finally planted my Mother's Day flowers on Memorial Day.

On the marketing front, today I will be finally picking up our Beef salami's and beef sausages! Yeah! Taste test here we come!

Thanks for visiting!

More Shearing Photos - 2nd part of Post

2008-05-10T17:14:00.001-07:00

-Before: With wool in the lane - After: the ones in back are shorn
Skinny looking, eh?

More shorn sheep out in one of the pens

Our first bummer lamb of 2008 - Timmy

Here are some 'after' photos of what the sheep look like after they are shorn! They remind me of a wet cat.. skinny, not fluffy!

I actually feel sorry for the sheep when they are shorn in weather like we are having today! It's in the 60's and breezy. I am cold with all my clothes on! I'm sure it feels great to ditch the 10 extra pounds, though.

Be sure to read the previous post for more shearing photos!

Shearing Days - Photos and How It's Done

2008-05-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

Jake and Dick - Shearing 'sorting' Crew

Loue and Joe just his tail shows)
The 'guys' who gets to move the sheep toward the ramp

Going Up the Ramp into the Shearing Shed

The Shearing Shed - see the wool on the floor?

There are two guys in there giving the sheep their haircuts,
not an easy job, it's all back work!

Jake standing by the wool sacks

Have you ever seen sheep shorn? I thought I would share with you the 'steps'.

Yesterday and today have been two full days of shearing sheep. We have 250 ewes, plus several rams, ewe lambs, lambs and now, new babies! The older animals are all getting shorn - as in haircuts! The push is to get the wool shorn before lambing starts - so the birth area is nice and clean... But, as it usually happens, the crew seems to arrive right when we are starting to lamb!

Our livestock handling crew and wool sacking crew consists of Dick, Jake and Ramon, plus about 4 livestock dogs (Joe, Louie, Annie and Ernest each take turns). There are two 'actual ' shearers who came from Idaho with their travel trailer shearing shed. They just set up and away they go!

Sami could not help - she has two ear infections and has been sick and on the couch for 3 days.. She's really bummed out because this is when new babies can be picked up and put into a separate pen until their mommas are all done with their new 'do's. The kids love to hold the babies! It's also one of the days that bummers are found and brought back to the house for bottle feeding. Right now we have two bummers in the laundry room - and boy, between Sami's midnight earache attacks and the bottle feeding schedule (every 4 hours) I am pooped!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. The boss said we might just get to celebrate after all (except for the bottle feeding, and our 'other' every day chores)!

I have a few more photos to share in the next post.