We’ve had a much-needed break from livestock chores over the Winter, and time for reflecting and planning. In that time we have finished redesigning the barn. I’m struggling to marshal enthusiasm about the process of rebuilding, but I am very excited for the structure to be complete! The only similarities to the old barn will … More What’s Next for Shelterbelt?
For a limited time only, we will have organically-produced peaches in the farm store. Come on by anytime during daylight hours: 200 Creamery Road, Brooktondale, NY. In the farm store you’ll find 2# quarts for $6. If you’re interested in larger quantities, contact Erica about discounted 10# flats.
It’s been a bountiful berry season, with an unceasing flow from strawberries and honeyberries to rasp- and blueberries, followed by blackberries, with mulberries somewhere in the mix too. Mid-August means elderberry picking season, of which we put up gallons of honey-sweetened juice as a Winter tonic. But all these berries we grow at a homestead … More Amazing Aronia
My ideal vision for the future of farming includes vibrant farms at all scales, in urban and rural areas. But the census data has shown over time that large farms (over $1M in sales) and very small farms (less than $10K in sales) are the only two segments of the farm demographic that are growing. … More Cost of Doing Business
Hopefully you know you can always view our products here and order online for farm pick-up. But we know that’s not the most convenient option for busy folks, so this Summer we’ll be at several farmers’ markets. Here’s the lowdown: Every Wed. evening, June – October, 4-7pm: East Hill Plaza Farmers’ Market, Judd Falls Road … More Where to Find Shelterbelt Products this Summer
Reserve your tasty, local, pastured, organically-fed chicken! Our bronze Freedom Ranger chickens have been fattening on pasture plants, orchard pests, and organic feed ration, and will have their “one bad day” on July 14th. We expect them to be in the 4-6lb range, and will sell whole fresh birds through July 18th, and whole frozen … More Get Your Pastured Happy Chicken While Supplies Last
Here’s the quick 2015 update for those who don’t want all the details: No pigs this year (!) But we will have meat chickens The beginning of our orchard is planted–picture apples and pears in 3 years! We got a grant to build a new 30’x72′ hoophouse for 4-season production Beef cattle arrive this Fall … More Major Additions–and Deletions–on our Evolving Farm
…but we do have ginger and honey, pork and lamb! Rewind to May 2014: if you didn’t hear the news by other means, we lost our dear livestock guardian dog–and farm mascot–Derin early this Spring. He was hit by a car while chasing a deer. We think he had a bit of Spring Fever as … More Yes, We Have No Turkeys Today
We picked up 10 adorable Hereford x Mulefoot cross piglets last week, and they’ve been settling in well in their new home. Being the intelligent, curious creatures they are, they’ve already learned all about electric fences and how to use a nipple drinker, neither of which they had encountered at their previous home. They are … More Now Accepting Pork Reservations!
According to the calendar, Spring is here. Those of you living in warmer microclimates (like just 15 min. away in downtown Ithaca) may even be seeing all kinds of signs to corroborate the calendar’s claims. But here at Shelterbelt, we’re in that seasonal purgatory where there’s still little to show for the transition to Spring … More Mud Season
Shelterbelt Farm 