Petaluma East-side Farmers Market

We'll be at the new Petaluma East-side Farmers Market selling our pastured eggs, grass-fed lamb and grass-fed beef.  This is Petaluma's first year-round farmers market and will have over 50 vendors.  The markets are every Tuesday morning from 10 am - 1:30 pm at the Community Center, 320 North McDowell.  We will also be using this market as one of our pick-up locations for our CSA.  Stop by and say hello!

This Saturday at the Marinwood Farmers Market

Here's what's on our menu for Saturday: For breakfast, French toast with Gravenstein apple butter made by my friend June (June Taylor Jams) and a dab of Cowgirl Creamery's creme fraiche on top. Or choose from one of our delicious scrambles using  ingredients such as Feta from Achadinha Cheese Company and lamb Merguez sausage made from our grass-fed lambs.  All our breakfast items are made with pastured eggs fresh from our farm. 

Too late for breakfast? Enjoy one of our Happy Hens "Farmburgers" featuring our 100% grass-fed ground beef and topped with heirloom tomatoes from The Patch and  red onions from Full Belly Farm.

Marinwood Community Farmers Market 
101 Marinwood Ave at Miller Creek Rd
San Rafael, CA 
9 am - 2 pm

Breakfast is Served

We are now serving up some really tasty breakfast every Saturday morning at the Marinwood Community Farmers Market.  This Saturday morning we'll have French toast with wild blackberry sauce and, of course, our scrambles — one of which will feature our fresh (and delicious) lamb Merguez sausage.  If you don't know about Merguez sausage, it's a popular, somewhat spicy North African sausage.  All our breakfast items are made with pastured eggs fresh from our farm.  Come have some good food and enjoy the Marinwood Farmers Market. 

Quack Quack!

hatching ducklings and a curious hen

I have small flock of ducks of various breeds, including Buff, Welsh Harlequin, Ancona, Rouen, Khaki Campbell, Black Cayuga, Blue Swedish and Black Swedish.  I raise them for their eggs, which I sell, and for their sheer fun of watching ducks go about their business. 

This hen managed to build her nest in the walkway to the barn, so we were all forced to sidestep her as we went about our day.  Here she is hatching seven adorable ducklings with one curious onlooker monitoring the progress.

Farm Camp Update

Thumbelina aka the Pixie Goat

The first week of farm camp was last week and we all had a blast!  The "campers" were full of energy and enthusiasm.  They never tired of the farm work and getting to know all the animals and how to care for them.  They also  learned how to "skirt" a fleece, wash the wool, card and felt some very stylish pouches to take with them.  I dyed the wool using natural plant dyes, including Black Walnut leaves, nettles, mint  and wild chamomile.  We made drums from rawhide and willow from the ranch.  Thanks to my friend, Gary, owner of A Healthy Palate, the kids made Paleo pancakes (a big hit).  And finally, after a week of anticipation, one of the nesting ducks hatched her ducklings on Friday.  All seven ducklings are doing well.  (Pictures to follow).  We still have a few openings left for July camp (July 16th-20th).   Happy Hens Farm Summer Camp Flyer
Happy Hens Farm Summer Camp Registration

Spring arrivals

Ewe with new lamb

I'm in the thick of lambing and kidding these days.  Every day there's at least four new arrivals.  Today we had 6 goat kids and 2 lambs born.  The barn swallows and finches have returned and are busily preparing their nests.  The turkeys are setting on eggs and the farm is filled with the sound of chickens clucking away laying eggs.  There never seems to be a smooth transition from Winter to Spring.  One day we are shivering and cold and wondering when Winter will end and the next we are caught up in the rush of activity brought with Spring.

Happy Hens Farm Camp Summer 2012

We have scheduled two weeks of farm camp for this Summer:  June 18th-22nd and July 16th-20th.  The camp will be led by Waldorf teachers and will include lots of farm-focused activities, including animal care, gardening, cooking and baking with food from the farm, and arts and crafts.  Camp hours are 9 am to 3:30 pm and the price is $275.  For ages first grade and up.  As of May 28th, we still have spaces available in both camps.   Please download (PDFs) for more info:  Happy Hens Farm Camp flyer    Happy Hens Farm Camp registration form