4 Questions to Ask Your Poultry Producer

written by

Sandra Ressler

posted on

May 4, 2021

With all the confusing marketing labels at the grocery stores these days, how is one to know what is the best chicken to buy?! What does "pastured" mean? What's the difference between "pastured" and "free-range"? Is "organic" really important?
We'll talk about some of those labels and terms in the next couple weeks, but for now...if one of your goals is to support local farmers...here are some questions to ask:

Do the birds live on pasture? Having "access" to a small square of ground is not the same as living on the grass.
How often do you move the birds? Ideally they should be moved at least once a day to fresh grass.
What do you feed the birds? Even "organic" does not necessarily guarantee quality feed, especially if the birds are not on fresh grass.
Can I see pictures of your birds? This is one good indicator of how the birds are raised!

The best way to know for sure what you're getting is to know your farmer's first name! And to be able to visit the farm if you so desire.

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Maple Syrup in October?!

Maple Syrup in October?!

You know how some people do "Christmas in July" events?  How about maple syrup in October?!  Actually, I'm told it IS possible to make syrup in the fall...any time the weather fluctuates between freezing and thawing, sap is drawn up into the tree and can be harvested.  Apparently the yield (amount of sap/number of gallons of syrup) is not as good, and also the flavor is not quite as good, but we don't have experience with that. Obviously we aren't there yet weather-wise...it's still too warm.  And no, we aren't tapping trees in the fall!  But last spring, we saved bottling time during the busiest sugaring days by filling a 40-gallon barrel to use later.  A few days ago we opened that barrel and bottled the syrup.  So it felt a bit like sugaring season.  And that maple aroma when you walk into the sugar house...I never get tired of that!! Grade B Maple Syrup This past spring we ended up with a bunch of end-of-the-season syrup that we felt was not up to our flavor standards (we have a reputation to protect!) so we weren't planning to sell it.  However, we have since realized that we can make it available as "Grade B" syrup. A few years ago the USDA changed the grading system for maple syrup.  The new system has four Grade A syrups: Grade A Golden:  Delicate taste Grade A Amber:  Rich taste Grade A Dark:  Robust taste Grade A Very Dark:  Strong taste This was done because many people were confused by "Grade A" and "Grade B", thinking that Grade A was a superior quality.  In reality there is no difference in quality, only in texture and taste.  So it's more a matter of personal preference. While the official grading system has changed, many people still refer to "Grade A" and "Grade B" syrup.  Grade B syrup, typically produced later in the season (when sap has a lower sugar content and more microbial activity), has a darker color, bolder flavor, thicker viscosity, and increased minerals.  It is often used in cooking and baking.  Grade B syrup is hard to find as a retail product because much of it goes to bakeries and such.  We now have it available while supplies last.  You can order it here.

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Elm Run Farms

  • 16808 Burkhart Road
    Orrville OH 44667
  • 330-317-7283