Down on the Farm: September News and Notes from Gale Woods

In spite of the continued warm weather, fall really is arriving on the farm. Signs of it are everywhere—warm season crops like melons, tomatoes and cucumbers are beginning to slow down; our crew of youth farmers have left to go back to school; the farm-raised Thanksgiving turkeys are getting big; the leaves on the Maples in the sugar bush are beginning to change and it is nearly dark when we arise to do chores in the morning.

Fall is a time to celebrate at the farm, and we are excited about our upcoming events. Please come and join us for the annual Harvest Hoedown in September or Celebrate the Harvest in October. Both annual events are wonderful way to mark this beautiful time of the year.

Free-Range Whole Chicken Sale
Save 20 percent when you purchase four chickens. Chickens are frozen, $3.50/lb. (before discount), and are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We accept cash, credit card and checks. Our visitor center and store is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Oct. 1—Call to Reserve Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Even though it doesn’t feel like fall quite yet, it will soon be time to order your Thanksgiving turkey from Gale Woods Farm. This year we will take orders first come, first served with a $25 deposit starting Monday, Oct. 1. Price for turkey this year is $3.50/lb. Things to remember about getting a free-range turkey from us:

• You pick it up fresh the two days before Thanksgiving (times TBD)
• We have tried over the years to predict the size of the turkeys based on their life here on pasture, but have learned that we have no control over the size. We won’t know the size of the turkeys until they return from processing. Average size is 14-28 pounds.
• Turkeys are picked up and purchased on a first come, first-served basis. If you have your heart set on a specific size, the turkey that’s available may be larger or smaller than you were expecting. Know that although the turkey is delicious, there is an element of risk to this process.

Save the Dates...
Harvest Hoedown
Saturday, Sept. 29, 5-8:30 p.m.
Join us for an evening of fiddling, fun and farm-fresh food! Enjoy string-band music and learn the basics of easy and fun family folk dancing. Take a wagon ride, meet the farm animals and explore the farm. Farm-raised concessions available for an additional fee. No reservations required. Participant fee ($6 ages 2+) will go to support the Wonder Fund scholarship program.

Celebrate the Harvest
Saturday & Sunday, October 6 & 7 
Sheepherding Dog Competition, Musical Entertainment with the Okee Dokee Brothers and TreVeld, more than 20 food and fiber vendors, sheep shearing and cooking demonstrations, wagon rides and more-all for free!

Chef’s Harvest Celebration Dinner (registration deadline approaching)
Saturday, September 22, 5-8 PM
Join us for an evening of fine food, a cooking lesson, good music and fun as Gale Woods Chef Mary Jane Miller hosts a progressive dinner on the farm. Dine your way from the wood-fired pizza oven in the herb garden, through the pastures on a wagon tour, to appetizers and music at the chicken coop, and then settle into the harvest kitchen set with long tables filled with the farm's bounty. Mary Jane will demonstrate how your dinner was cooked so you can recreate this night at home.

The Learning Continues
From Jr. Afterschool Farmers to our Homeschool programs to our young child drop-off programs continue your child’s learning this fall at Gale Woods Farm. Please call 763.694.2001 or see our website for additional details and/or to register.