Pastrami Making Class
Pastrami Making Class with Brittany Davis The Pastrami workshop, taught by Brittany Davis, was tasty, fun and educational. She created a process that was similar to a Julia Child episode where the various stages of the brisket meat were already prepared: raw, brined, herb-rubbed, and smoked. Then, we steamed it and then, we devoured it. Since there are distinct methodologies associated with each stage, we learned about curing/brining; smoking; roasting and finally steaming. And then of course...
Read MoreConnecting The Dots
This weekend Pastoral Plate hosted an event where we “harvested” our own chickens. The day filled in the blanks from the pasture to the plate. By the completion of the day, I had expanded my understanding of what is involved in the definition of “good food”. There are more chapters than just concentrating on what the animal eats and how they roam. The way an animal dies affects the taste and vitality of the food we eat. It was splendid. We gathered the chickens from the field, calmed...
Read MoreWorkday at Amber and Son’s Farm
]Thank you everyone for coming to farm workday! This past Saturday, the 11th, we gathered at Amber and Son’s chicken farm in Sebastopol. When we arrived, heavy mist was in the air, some dark clouds threatened. By the afternoon, the sun was shinning and it was mild and perfect for working and working and working.
Read MorePastoral Plate is Featured in the New York Times
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Pastoral Plate is featured in a New York Times Article today.
Read MoreTalk at Pot and Pantry
Last Thursday evening, the 15th, I gave a talk about Pastoral Plate covering its history and ever-expanding mission.
Read MoreThere is sharp and then there is SHARP
I went to a free knife sharpening talk and demonstration at www.potandpantry.com last night presented by Galen Garretson of "TownCutler" in San Francisco.
Read MorePotential Investors Visit Amber and Son’s Farm
Last Sunday, we visited Amber and Son’s Farm in Sebastopol as part of Pastoral Plate’s efforts to encourage and make socially responsible investments in local food producing enterprises. We discussed chickens, farming, sustainable practices, the breed, the food, the little chicks, etc., etc. These chickens are spoken to, cajoled, pastured raised, and loved. One of our goals is to “be involved” in the production of our food, to take some responsibility for what happens rather...
Read MoreWhy Invest in a Start-up Farm?
WHY FUND A START-UP FARM? Some of our members wanted to know why we are interested in funding a start-up farm. The above New York Times article addresses some of the formidable obstacles that young farmers face today whether in New York or California. Part of Pastoral Plate’s stated mission is to take responsibility for “our food”. In order to realize this part of our mission, we squarely address the issue of access to inexpensive capital for the farmer/rancher. When we say...
Read MoreFarm Day: Saturday, October 1st
Join us Saturday, October 1st for a day of hard work, fun, sweat and dirt! Sign up for Farm Day here! We are working at Gleason’s Ranch. Farmers of chickens, pigs, lambs, and cows. This is our third work day at Gleason’s. The first two work days were fun and educational (of course!) We intend to build a second, hard-walled chicken coop, tear down and remove the remaining old mobile hen houses, and engage in other normal farm activities. This is an opportunity to see one of the...
Read MoreThe Result of Our Work – July Farm Day
Here are the photos showing the completed extensions to the pig barn. Nice...
Read MoreFarm Work Day July 16th. Chapter 2.
We returned to Gleason’s Ranch for a second workday on July 16th. Half the group built outdoor yard extensions for the pig barn while the other half continued to take apart the old moveable chicken coops. Nancy served a fabulous lunch of pulled pork that she cooked all night. The chickens were fed, the pigs were fed and we were fed.
Read MoreFarm Day July 16th, 2011
Join Pastoral Plate at Gleason’s Ranch, July 16th, 2011. Since the last Farm Day was such a success (and there is still more work to do!) we are holding another! We intend to finish the first coop, build a second, tear down and remove old mobile hen houses, and engage in other normal farm activities. This is an opportunity to see one of the sources of your food, and to gain an understanding into the realities behind the words: “Pasture Raised Chicken”, “Organic”,...
Read More