Hello and welcome to the October newsletter for Laughing Duck Farm. I know we have some new people subscribed which I am very excited for. I also know we have some faithful long time readers which is equally exciting. I have been feeling the love and support for this crazy adventure and I thank you all.

This is the time of year where I start getting ready to reflect on all of the things. I think about the things that have made a big difference this year and the things that were too much work with too few results. One of the first things that comes to mind when I reflect on those things is how thankful I am for all of the positive support. Positivity is such a rare thing these days so I feel truly blessed.

I am an introvert. I get energized by being alone. This also means that I am an internal processer. You will rarely find me thinking out loud. I need a lot of time to process things before making a change or decision. Reflection is a big part of my life. My husband is very much an extrovert. The more people he talks to the more energetic he feels. He is a thinking out loud, fly by the seat of his pants ball of energy and it works for him. It took us several years of marriage to realize that just because something works for one of us, doesn’t mean that it’s going to work for both of us. The world needs people who think out loud and can make instant spontaneous decisions. It also needs people who can sit in silence and mull things over, polishing ideas until they are smooth and reflective.

I hope you are able to take this time of year and reflect on yourself and your life. Think about what is working and what needs a shift. Think about how you might be expecting someone else to be just like you, when they were truly designed to be their own unique self. Think about how you might need to break free a bit from someone else’s expectations and let your own self emerge. I know you can do it, and I’m excited to see it.

On the Farm

So this is the time of year where things are supposed to be slowing down. The meat chickens are all in the store freezer. The pigs and turkeys are soon to join them. There should be less to do and I should start thinking about cleaning my house. Unfortunately, and I forget this every year, this is a very chaotic time to own goats. Are goats are just starting to go into rut. This means that they are thinking about breeding. Hormonal goats are a lot like teenage humans. They are pretty sure that you are out to get them and also that you are an idiot who knows nothing about goats. Whichever side of the fence they are on, the opposite side is the only acceptable place to be. Hormonal goats are destructive and they stink. Like really stink. You see, in goat culture, the sexiest, most romantic thing a male can do is to pee on himself and let all of that urine ferment until you can smell it a half mile away. This is the part where teen age humans and goats differ. At least I hope the teens in your life don’t do this.

I forget about this every year. I forget that I will be chasing down escaped goat a few times this year. I forget about the smell and the noise and the few weeks of chaos. I think I am blocking it out. But this year I did remember one thing. Just when it gets to the point where I’m ready to give up, things will suddenly calm down and I will remember that I do actually enjoy raising goats. Again, a lot like human teens.

In the Store

Right now is a great time to buy chicken in the store. We are fully stocked on all of the cuts. The pigs will be going into the butcher the first week of October (If you ordered a whole or half hog the butcher should be calling you around then) and by the end of the month we should be fully stocked with pork too. Also, the turkeys go into the butcher on October 10. I should be able to pick them up right around the 14th. If you are interested in a Laughing Duck Farm turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner, know that they sell out fast. I will post on our facebook page when I bring them into the store and they will be first come first serve.

Aside from meat, you will also start seeing some ancient grains making their way into the store. We have had some customers ask for them for grinding into flour and in researching them, I have also found that many of them are fantastic steamed like rice. This is a great way to shake things up at meal times and make sure you are getting a variety of micronutrients in your body.

Our store hours are 10am-6pm Thursday through Saturday. I can’t wait to see you there!

Bulk Orders

Our October bulk order is due September 27 by 7pm and will be delivered on October 3. You are welcome to pick up any time after 4:30pm. You will pick it up right on the farm at 2482 170th ave, Emerald WI. The next opportunity to order will be in November. Orders will be due on the 8th and you will pick up on the 14th.

Placing a bulk order is such a great way to save money on things you use a lot of. I know the list can look a little overwhelming, but if you have an idea of what you use a lot of, I can help you find what you need.

The price of butter continues to drop. The Alcam quarters are down to $113.44 for a case of 36. I would expect it go up soon, but I am definitely not someone who has their finger on the pulse of the dairy industry, so you may want to do your own research. I do know that our Alcam butter is very good.

To place an order, you will need the item number, brief description, and price of the items you want. Email that list to northhaus@gmail.com. Do NOT comment that list here as I will probably not see it. Have that list to me by 7pm on Saturday September 27. Then, on Friday October 3 AFTER 4:30pm come out to the farm at 2482 170th ave Emerald WI and pick up your order. You can pay with cash or check then. You can also add items from the store to your order at that time.

If you are interested in a bulk order, I would highly encourage you to discuss it with friends and family. You might find several of them want to participate and that would be a great opportunity to carpool. It’s always a fun time and I look forward to it every month.

If I do not see you soon, I hope that you are able to fully enjoy October and all of its beauty. The change in seasons is such a nice opportunity for needed changes in our lives, and I really hope you are able to take advantage of that.

Peace to you and your family,

Kathy