The Simple Farm Plant Nursery

Besides birthing pretty little farm babies, we've been busy planting seeds and growing pretty little vegetables in our pretty little green house and now we're ready to offer pretty little starts for your pretty little garden.

This Thursday stop by our farm nursery and select a few pretty little starts to place in a pretty little spot in your garden. Heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and dill are available this week.

Our French inspired market is open Thursdays from 9 - 1 and 4 - 6. Since there was standing room only last week, we've added a farm style family table to our market - just perfect for some hang out time with friends, our delicious morning muffins and 50 cent coffee.

See you Thursday!

Busy With Babies and Raising Chickens

Last week new babies (baby goats) arrived at The Simple Farm and we'll post some new pictures soon with a few birthing details, but for now I don't want you to forget that we have the cities best "How To Raise Backyard Chicken" class coming up in about 2 weeks.  Details and registration are here.

Farm Volunteers are Special People

Last Wednesday morning two women arrived at our farm at the same time. Neither one knew the other and yet within a very short amount of time these two women chatted up a storm about everything while working side by side.

Normally, I don't give new volunteers the messy jobs - at least right off the bat. But, our night time goat pen was in desperate need to be cleaned out and thus - these two women spent the next two hours cleaning - raking, digging and hauling old straw that will make its way to a new compost pile out on the field.

Volunteers like these two women are every farmers dream. The fact that people give up a few hours on a morning or afternoon and drive (gas is expensive these days) the distance to come to a little neighborhood farm to give a hand is huge.

Normally, Wednesdays have been our volunteer days - but due to our increasing projects and growing season, we are going to open up Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday and Friday as days that we'd love an extra hand or two.  To show appreciation, we'd like to send you home with one of our starts - your pick - tomato or cucumber.

So, if you have a bit of extra time we'd love the help.

Everything You Need To Know to Raise BackYard Chickens

Ever thought about raising chickens or just needing more information about the care of your egg giving pets? Chris Byer is going to do a second Raising Backyard Chicken class for our farm. You'll come away knowing a ton about raising chickens that will help you with the decision to jump in and get a few hens and so you can begin to enjoy your own farm fresh eggs or this class will help you now as you presently might have a few hens and need some more advice.

Class Date: Sunday, March 25th

Time: 1:30-3:30

Cost is $20 for family - with kids over 12 interested in raising chickens welcomed.

Back Yard Chicken Raising  - register here.

How Good Can It Get

Right now I'm taking a late morning break with Michael. I just have to tell you what we're indulging on because I know you'll want to join us this Thursday at the market.

Up until about 30 seconds ago, on my rose colored vintage plate there were. . . 

two very fresh eggs (that my husband prepared just so - over easy - 

lightly salted with a sprinkling of pepper) . . . 

. . . and. . .  

sliced, toasted and buttered . . . 

some of the farm's newest market addition - stone ground bread 

(hand - made by the fabulous Carol of Grano de Vida) . . .

. . . and . . .

THEN.....drizzled lightly - with the newest market addition -  very local honey.   

Call it AMAZING. 

We get to do this. . . because we can.

Eggs, hand-made bread (cinnamon/raisin - coming this Thursday too), 

AZ local - raw & unfiltered honey.....

will be available at our French Market this Thursday - 9 am until 1 and 4 - 6 pm.

It can't get any better than this.....I don't think......

Some Weeks . . .

 . . . are weeks that seem extra busy. This past one was like that for us.  Michael finished all the little touches on our birthing pen.  Birthing pens are those little enclosed spaces that house the mother (doe) who is in the process of getting ready to give birth to her babies (kids). Last years pen barely accommodated our birthing needs and so Michael made a few adjustments to make it work for the two does who are due at the same time. Very soon.

Anita took hours to revamp our milking room --- as we get ready to get ready to begin milking the does and using that make to cook up some more of our gourmet caramel sauce - which delightfully so is becoming popular.

Lots of new seeding took place this past Wednesday - more carrots, cucumbers, beets and radishes along with sunflowers and zinnias.  Melons, okra and more cucumbers for the start trays are starting to refill our green house.

This week was also busy because of a special private event.  Getting ready for parties are a highlight for us. We love being asked to have parties at the farm and this one was especially wonderful, not only because of the people, but because of the invitation to Phillsbury Wine Company ( a local AZ winery) to do a wine pairing for our menu.  Every thing we served had that local farm touch.

Raising Back Yard Chickens Class 101 - New Date

Ever thought about raising chickens or just needing more information about the care of your egg giving pets?

Class Date: Sunday, New Date

Time: 1:30-3:30

Cost is $20 for family - with kids over 12 interested in raising chickens welcomed.

Back Yard Chicken Raising  - register here.