Farm 651 2011 Accomplishments

As the end of the year approaches, we think back to all that was accomplished this year at the farm.

1.) Established the "651 Project" Non-Profit.
2.) Constructed a 20x14 Chicken Coop Entirely Out of Recycled Pallets. (See Pics).
3.) Raised 30 Free Range Chicks. Only lost 2 of them to the wild. Lost two more to my Labradoodle!
4.) Established organic garden adjacent to the market.
5.) Constructed a 14x32 cedar sided animal barn to house future goats and cows. (See Pics)
6.) Completed  commercial kitchen modifications in Farmers Market
7.) Modified Roadside Stand into the areas only "PIE SHACK" (See Pics)
8.) Competed in the Pepsi Refresh Project. (We didn't win, but we did get a ton of national exposure).

Farm 651 & Our Favorite Wineries

Many thanks to L Mawby Vineyards and 45 North for their generous support of Farm 651 this Season.

Please be sure to visit them next weekend via http://lpwines.com/2011-toast-the-season-wine-food-pairings/





The 651 Project

The 651 Project has been established to assist Michigan students in their pursuit of agricultural skills and knowledge. Specific areas of focus include organic farming, viticulture, construction technology, agritourism, responsible landscape design, and green energy technology. Farm 651 will serve as a learning campus for the endeavor.


Our original plan has always included making the Farm 651 land available to students and non-profits. To realize this goal, we created the 651 Project – a licensed Michigan Non-profit organization.

Students will have the ability to live and work on a functioning farm. Housing will be provided and product sales (produce and fruits) via farm markets and the onsite retail facilities will serve as a living cost stipend to students.

The 651 Project is currently seeking funding to build the “Smart House”, a super efficient Farmhouse that will serve as student living accommodations. Donations can be made on the 651project.org website. Contractors and agricultural professionals are being sought out to serve as instructors and project mentors. Anyone interested in participating and sharing their knowledge is encouraged to call.

For more information on The 651 Project, contact Jason Roggensee at farm651@hotmail.com or by calling 231-944-5283. Alternatively, a website is available at http://www.651project.org detailing programs, specific student opportunities, and donation guidelines.

Week of July 23, 2011

This Week:

Sweet Corn
Fingerling Potatoes
Broccoli Crowns
Beans
Raspberries
Blueberries
Sweet Cherries
Tart Cherries
Brown Anti Bio Free Eggs
Hydro Tomatoes
Mixed Greens
Onions
Cucumbers

Pies, Pies, and More Pies. (Strawberry, Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry Rhubarb)
Sourdough Country Loaf
Lavender Shortbread Wine Cookies
Donner Mountain Honey
Lavender Bundles

Week of July 9, 2011

This Week:

Raspberries
Bardenhagen Strawberries. (Strawberry Season Ends Sunday)
Frozen Bardenhagen Berries in 4-5 Quart Bags. Quartered, Unsugared.
Brown Anti Bio Free Eggs
Spinach
Red Lettuce
Hydro Tomatoes
Mixed Greens Eureka Farms
Onions
Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Basil, Mint, Chives, Marjoram)
Celery
Cucumbers (Tuesday)

5in Strawberry Pies
Sourdough Country Loaf
Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Donner Mountain Honey
Gallagher Meats (Sausages, Steaks, Bacon, Ground Beef, Patties)
Leelanau Lavender Spices
Leelanau Lavender Bundles

Week of June 25th 2011

Week of June 25, 2011


This Week:

Bardenhagen Berries
Frozen Bardenhagen Berries in 4-5 Quart Bags. Quartered, Unsugared.
Rasberries (Avail Friday)
Brown Anti Bio Free Eggs
Hydro Tomatoes
Rhubarb
Mixed Greens Eureka Farms
Green Onions
Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Basil, Mint, Chives, Marjoram)

Strawberry Rhubarb Pies
Sourdough Country Loaf
Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Donner Mountain Honey
Gallagher Meats (Sausages, Steaks, Bacon, Ground Beef, Patties)
Leelanau Lavender Spices
Leelanau Lavender Bundles

Week of June 18, 2011

This Week:

Strawberries (limit 2 quarts non csa) (csa members 4 quarts)
Brown Anti Bio Free Eggs
Hydro Tomatoes
Norconk Asparagus
Rhubarb
Mixed Greens Eureka Farms
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Green Onions
Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Basil, Mint, Chives, Marjoram)

Sourdough Country Loaf
Mini Strawberry Hand Pies
Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Apple Bourbon Popcorn

Donner Mountain Honey
Gallagher Meats (Steaks, Bacon, Ground Beef, Patties)
Leelanau Lavendar Spices
Root Beer
Birch Beer
Orange Cream Soda


Coming Next Week:
Rasberries

Week of June 11, 2011

This Week:

Norconk Asparagus

Rhubarb

Mixed Greens Eureka Farms
Bibb Lettuce
Green Onions
Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Basil, Marjoram)

Coconut Macaroons
Hand Made Caramels
Rhubarb Pecan Muffins
Sourdough Country Loaf
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bacon Bourbon Popcorn

Donner Mountain Honey
Gallagher Meats (Steaks, Bacon, Ground Beef, Patties)
Leelanau Lavendar Spices
Root Beer
Birch Beer
Orange Cream Soda
Sweet Tea

Coming Next Week:

Strawberries
Spinach

Barter

We are always looking for ways to recycle and reuse and sometimes the easiest way to accomplish that is via barter. With that said, here is a list of items we need.

Items:

1.) A chipper/shredder
2.) Barn siding. (About 12 square)
3.) Home Depot/Menards/Lowes Gift Cards
4.) A compost tumbler
5.) A two person utility vehicle (Like a Kawasaki Mule or John Deere Gator)
6.) A 4x4 ATV
7.) A commercial refrigerator and/or freezer
8.) A 4x4 tractor with loader.
9.) A 4x4 farm vehicle.
10.) Goats

Services:

1.) Stump grinding.
2.) Exterior painting.
3.) Irrigation installation.
4.) Gate and/or fencing installation
5.) Masonry services.

What We Have To Barter:

1.) A Massey Ferguson 165 Tractor
2.) CSA Subscriptions http://farm651.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-2011-csa-plan.html
3.) Fisher Paykel 36in Gas Range. Brand New.
4.) Fisher Paykel Dish Drawer. Brand New.

5.) Kohler Sinks. All kinds, finishes. Brand New.
6.) 42in Americast 3 Basin Sink. Brand New.
7.) Six Brand New Eljer Urinals
8.) A Parcel of Real Estate. ( Vacant Lot in Lochenheath Golf Community Williamsburg MI )
9.) A Parcel of Real Estate ( Vacant Lot in Rim Club Golf Community Payson AZ )

Update May 5 2011

Many thanks to those who attended our ribbon cutting ceremony 05.05.2011. We sincerely appreciate your patronage and continued support of our project. A short snipet of the event was posted on Youtube.

Additionally, our Farm 651 CSA was featured in the Record Eagle. http://record-eagle.com/features/x528374973/CSA-shareholders-get-more-than-food

Our recipe testing is progressing nicely. We have perfected the brownies. We also have some promising cupcakes that we tested at the ribbon cutting. Recipes pics were posted on Facebook.

If anyone is interested in helping us test our line of dry mixes, we still have samples available. Just take them home, add the wet ingredients, bake, and give us your feedback.

CSA Q&A Session April 23rd 10am.

Join us in the barn for coffee and pastries as we hand out information on our CSA, answer questions, and do onsite signups. We will be giving tours of our facility and outlining our goals for the 2011 season.

See the full event details, including location, at http://www.meetup.com/farm651/events/16549163/

Our Chicken Expansion

We found a plan for the coop modeled after the attached picture. Hopefully it will be done within the next 5 weeks. We have started our flock. We have 15 Araucanas in route. In the brooder we currently have 5 Rhode Island Reds, 5 Buff O's, and 5 Isa Browns. This should make for a nice color assortment of farm fresh leelanau eggs. We may have some extra space in the coop if any of our CSA's members need a home for their chick!

We Are Flattered - Farm 651 in Traverse "Best Of" Competition

We are pleased to say that Farm 651 has been nominated in the Traverse "Best Of" Competition. Many thanks to those that nominated us. Farm 651 is competing in the following categories and we would appreciate your vote.

Best Cherry Pie
Best Bread to Munch On
Best Farmers Market

VOTE NOW

Big Meeting Tonight 3/1/2011

We wanted to remind you about a planning commission meeting tonight at 730pm. It is being held at the Solon Fire Hall. The new Agtourism draft is being discussed and we would really appreciate your support. If you are unable to attend, please call the zoning administrator Tim Cypher at 231-360-2557 and let him know your thoughts!

I am attaching a link to the details... http://leelanaunews.com/drupal/index.php?q=node%2F27170

Jeremiah's Dinner Series at Farm 651

Northwestern Michigan College Culinary Institute invites you to sit down for a delicious four course meal with honors chef Jeremiah Shields. Held at Farm 651 in Cedar Michigan as part of NMC's Culinary Honors Program, this dinner will show preparation and serving of a variety of tasty items including an Autumn Panzanella Salad, Beef Tenderloin, and Spiced Pumpkin Cake. Enjoy!
Produced by UpNorth Media Center

VIDEO LINK