Healthy Living Market and Cafe opened the doors of their new store in Saratoga this morning.  I took a trip over to see the unveiling of the store.  As we walked in the front door we were met by amazing fragrances of all of the fresh foods.  There is an amazing colorful selection of fruits, vegetables, bulk dry goods.  The seafood department had some wonderful looking fish, and shrimp.  Every corner brought new sight and aroma, fresh baked goods, herbs, spices, and health and wellness products.  Local milk, cheese, and other dairy products.  Lets not forget our favorite department, the Meat Department had a huge array of meats and poultry.  The meat case looked amazing!  We are very proud that our Tasty Meats are going to be part of the wonderful offerings at Healthy Living!

The owners of The Healthy Living Market and Cafe along with their Manager Lyndsay, and her amazing staff have brought Saratoga a wonderful market.  Their dedication to bringing healthy foods from local farmers to the people of Saratoga is unmatched, along with the knowledge, and devotion of the staff.

Be sure to stop by  to check out this amazing market.  I know we will be purchasing most of our groceries from Healthy Living Market and Cafe

Good morning, we have beef and pork in stock. Also we are having a freezer clean out sale this for any orders placed and picked up before next Saturday, we will include with any order free of charge, beef bones, pork bones, shank meat, lard, suet, pig trotters, smoked pork rind, beef or pork heart, and liver.



Have a great day!

Joshua and Stefanie


p.s. you can also meet the new puppies when you pick up at the farm

One of our wonderful and caring neighbors decided to call the S.P.C.A. on us.  This morning I went to the barn for morning chores and found a card from Lieutenant Hilton.  Apparently he stopped by this morning and took a look at the animals and the farm.  I rushed home to call him, and of course got his voice mail.  So I ran upstairs to send him an email.  Seconds later he returned my call.

An anonymous person called to complain about the care we give our animals.  Lieutenant Hilton stopped by and checked out the farm.  He confirmed that they all look nice and plump and are quite healthy looking.  He was concerned about adequate water, shelter, and dry hay for the horses.  I informed him of the constant flowing spring behind the barn, along with the woods that shelter the cattle in a storm.  I also let him know that on very cold, wet or stormy nights we take the horses into the barn.  He was concerned about the dogs being sprayed, neutered and registered.  I explained that they are intact for breeding purposes, and that we haven't registered them, but have spoken with the local animal control officer who knows they are ours.  Putting a collar on a guardian dog will endanger their life if they are protecting the livestock from a larger predator such as a bobcat, mountain lion, coyote or wolf.  Predators attack the neck and a collar would give them something to grab on to. 

I offered to give the S.P.C.A. a tour, one evening this week we will be giving the S.P.C.A. a tour of the farm.  I look forward to this opportunity. 

In the mean time, I believe I know our accusers and would like everyone who has seen our farm to flood their mailboxes with letters about your experience visiting our farm or eating the meats that we raise.  I think it would be best if you send those emails, letters, of facebook posts to us and then we will forward them to the individuals who are accusing us of inhumane treatment of our animals.  These two women have denied themselves of the tours that we have offered them.  Please address the letters to concerned animal lovers or some other witty name as much as I'd like to expose them to the public I think its best to keep them anonymous. 

Please send letters to

West Wind Acres
2884 West Glenville Rd
West Charlton, NY 12010

or email us at

josh@westwindacres.com

You can follow us on facebook here https://www.facebook.com/WestWindAcres

Great news, we finally have some beef available!  Currently we have 2 animals at the butcher they hung at 311 lbs, and 270 lbs.  We have a half of the 311 available for $583.00 plus about $175 for butcher fees (quarters could be available for $311.00 + $90butcher fees).  A half of the 270 lb beef is also available for $$506.25 plus around $150 for butcher fees.

On 12/21/12 we will also have some beef available.  Contact

Help us to reach 500 facebook followers.  Once we reach 500 we will raffle off a gift basket with 10 pounds of our Tasty Meats  https://www.facebook.com/WestWindAcres

West Wind Acres has made it into our fifth year of farming.  We started with the goal of raising healthy meats for ourselves.  We have grown to supply many families through our CSA, hundreds more through farmers markets, our buying club, and wholesale distribution.  We currently supply a chef/farmer with some of the pork he uses in the meals for his customers, we are supplying a local farm store with much of their chicken, and next year all of their pork.  Currently we are looking into the opportunity to supply a new grocery store with beef, pork, lamb, also possibly eggs and chicken. 

Currently have a solid model, and have developed many "Best Practices" on our farm, we are now ready to grow, while developing a few new ideals.  To do this we will need help from our followers, customers, neighbors, and anyone else who would be interested.

We have now made the commitment to feed non-GMO grains that are grown following organic practices to our chickens, and pigs.  Our cattle will remain 100% grass fed.  In the coming year we plan to experiment with growing some of this grain on our farms, using draft horse power.  We recently visited Essex Farm, and read "The Dirty Life".  We are ready to follow some of their practices. 

Here's how you can help!

• Tell a friend about our farm and products.
• Better yet tell everyone
• Like us on Facebook
• Share our posts on FB
• Purchase a CSA
• Purchase a pre-buy CSA for years in the future
• Place an order for meat whether large or small
• Spend a day on the farm helping with our many tasks fencing, building structures, working the horses, digging ponds, or daily chores.

West Wind Acres needs the following:

• New land leases woodlots, pasture, and crop land.
• Used draft horse equipment team harness, sickle bar, cultivator, plow, wagon, rake, fore-cart, just about anything draft horse
• A greenhouse
• Purchase more stock, we need to grow our cow herd, our flock of sheep, and would like to a add a new boar from Sugar Mountain Farm http://sugarmtnfarm.com/home/
• Materials to build additional shelters, and complete the ones we have started.
• Additional fencing materials, wire, locust posts, feather-net.
• Walk in freezer.
• Repair our farm truck
• Money

We are ready to put in the hard work and dedication to make West Wind Acres the premier farm to purchase local, nutrient dense, tasty meats at affordable prices.  Please help us to grow if you are able.


Sincerely,

Joshua and Stefanie Rockwood
West Wind Acres
518-361-3167
Josh@westwindacres.com

Today we gave two wonderful farm tours.  We saw many new faces, as well as some old friends, a couple of surprises as well.  I think we had around 40 people tour the farm today. 

Its great to have so many people who are interested in healthy local food in one place at one time.  So many great questions.

Today we also gave away our last Silver Fox rabbit to a cute little girl who was very excited.  I'm not sure her mother was to happy about it though.  We have decided to stop raising rabbits for the time being so that we can concentrate our efforts on the chickens, sheep, pigs, cattle and horses.  Maybe Hunter will give them a shot when he gets older.

Thank you to everyone who made it to the farm today.

Sunday November 4th
10 am and 2 pm

We want you to learn how we raise our animals, to provide local health, nutrient dense, tasty meats. Tours starting promptly at 10am and 2 pm. Corner of West Glenville Rd. and Touareuna Rd. Amsterdam, NY 12010

In the recent month or two or methods, model, and goal have cost us some interesting run-ins with neighbors, police, and dog control.  I write this for other farmers who have to deal with neighborhood issues, neighbors who have to deal with farms, and all of our wonderful customers, followers, and supporters who give us the energy, and the desire to get up in the morning, and give the farm our all everyday so that we can offer you meats that are locally and transparently raised, healthier, tasty meats.

Piglets Tour the neighborhood

It all started when the weathermen decided to issue a tornado warning, a few weeks back.  We take the weather serious and do whatever we can to protect our animals while still following our model.  With a possible tornado and severe thunderstorms in the forecast Stefanie and I decided we should give all of our animals run of the farm so that they can decide where to wait out the storm.  After all animal instincts are much better than ours.  We let the bulls loose on half the farm with the horses, we let the cows and calves loose on the other half, each herd had a group of sows and boars with them, we had a group of 18 piglets in a portable paddock 16' x 16' we decided they needed to be loose as well, and we let the sheep loose of their weekly move as well.  We picked up anything that could be dangerous if the wind caught it, and then we headed home to see what the storm brought.  The wind picked up, trees blew, the front came through with some major rain, it was a quick storm, but pretty intense, no tornadoes locally, NYC got hit by one.  It was dark and rainy for the rest of the day so we drove by to make sure the animals were ok before dinner. 

The following morning Stef, Carli, Hunter, and I set out to check animals and get them back in their daily paddocks.  While checking on them, I noticed that some of the piglets  were missing, I figured that they had just wondered into the other half of the farm and continued to fence of the cows.  Stef and Carli headed to the barn in my truck as I fenced in the bulls.  My phone rang our landlord received a visit from a very upset neighbor the piglets had made their way around the neighborhood.  Just about then I heard some screaming and yelling at the barn (I was in the cemetary field just about 1/2 mile away).  I could see the neighbor screaming at my wife, so I started running.  Upon arriving I noticed that our neighbor was kind enough to return our piglets who had gotten into her horse barn and eaten some grain.  I told her I heard of the trouble the pigs had gotten into and I would talk to her later.  I needed to console my wife who was now throwing up because this woman got her so worked up, and at the same time I needed to get the piglets into the trailer.  A little grain thrown in the trailer and they were all loaded up in a few minutes.  Stef told me a few of the things that were said, including these piglets got out because they are starving you don't feed them, and a bunch of other nonsense.

Just about then two men appear at the driveway one very large man, with arms crossed motions for me to come over.  I must admit I was scared!  I went over and we introduced ourselves, it seems that the pigs had visited both of their yard.  They weren't concerned about their property, but they also got into an older mans yard and tore up a bunch of his lawn.  These guys were very understanding and just wanted to make sure I took care of the lawn which of course I planned to. 

After getting the animals all under control I walked over to fix the lawn across the street.  Upon answering my knock on his door, this gentleman reamed me out.  I was ok with this as they tore his lawn up pretty good.  I reassured him that I would get it back together, and went right to work.  After I was done I knocked again on his door, and let him know I had finished and would bring some topsoil over to fill any holes that were left sod-less and trow some seed down as well.  He thanked me and I apologized again.

I decided it was in the irate woman's best interest if I cooled down before stopping by to chat with her.  So I let several days go by, one evening I saw her outside as I was loading hay for the horses so I walked over.  I choose to take the high road so I apologized, before telling her why the piglets got out, I also told her that she was right we don't feed our pigs, or our cows, or our horses, and our sheep don't get fed either, being that they are all pasture raised.  I also let her know that we had invested a significant amount of money in a fence charger this spring, and that we really do try to keep our animals in.  She then asked me if their was anything I could do with the hay pile that was in our field across from her house, she stated that it was an eyesore.  I responded that the hay was in this field because it need a significant amount of fertilizer so we are going to feed hay to the animals in this pasture over winter, the hay that isn't eaten in combination with the manure, and urine from the animals will significantly help the grown of the grass next season.  Our other options would be to apply chemical fertilizer or call the local dairy farm and ask him to truck in some liquid cow shit.  That's great fertilizer, except it stinks and potentially is full of chemicals, and could actually kill the microbes in the soil.  I also let her know that I really want to graze this field with the sheep but have held off so that our Maremmas (livestock guardian dogs) don't keep he up all night with their barking.  I think she then realized that we actually think things through a bit, we chit chatted for a few minutes, before I headed off.

Dog in heat meets the neighbors dog

About two weeks ago on a Friday we purchased a few new pigs, to get them into the barnyard where at the house I needed a long fence gate so I took one from our cemetery field, there weren't any animals in that pasture, and taking this gate would only leave a 3' opening, there was an electric wire across the gate way as well so I wasn't to worried.  I unloaded the pigs, and went about my day. 

Later that afternoon while doing chores, Bob our landlord, told me that he heard the Maremmas were near the road, so I took a trip up, they were both in the field but didn't appear to have gotten out, so I headed to pick up Hunter from daycare, and then home for the night.  As soon as I got home the neighbor calls, as a friend stopped over for dinner.  Apparently the dogs had gotten out, and were in the neighbors driveway, I handed off Hunter and took off down the road. 

Upon arrival they were both in the neighbors yard, and she had something to say about it.  She explained the situation, and then told me that they looked thin and like they weren't being fed.  These guys get the best dog food around, liver, heart, ham, chicken, pigs feet, hocks, and occasionally we force them to eat dry dog food.  She also was concerned that they were living outside, they need attention, and to be inside.  I then told her all about Maremmas how they have been bred for 2000+ years to live like a sheep, make friends with sheep, even think they are a sheep, they love to be outside, require minimal shelter (and usually won't use it if you do provide some), and that these guys are happy, healthy, and well cared for.  I apologized that they were out, and let her know that it was probably because her dog was barking, and our girl is in heat.  I was then reprimanded that she should be spayed.  I couldn't take anymore so I said how are we going to have puppies with a spayed dog.  I need to get these guys back with the sheep goodnight, and I walked away.

I fed them and put Aillis in the feather net with the broiler chickens.  This was dangerous because livestock guardian dogs work much better as a team than alone especially when coyotes are involved.  I headed back home for dinner.  I had a bad feeling about the events, and decided to turn myself in, so I called Glenville PD dispatch and explained the situation.  The officer actually laughed when he realized I was calling to turn my own dogs in.  He assured me that they wouldn't be taken by animal control.

Several days later, as I drove up the road I noticed dog control at another house across from the farm, I planned to introduce myself and give him my contact info in case there is ever a problem.  I guess he was looking for me as well because he waved me down, before I had a chance to pull over.  They received a call about the events, and couldn't the two calls together because I gave them my house address not the farm.  We chatted for a while, I offered to take him back to see the animals, but he felt pretty confident that they were taken care of.

A few more days pass and Aillis is still in with the broilers, I head out to the field bright and early to feed the chickens, and check over the rest of the farm.  I see Toruk (the male Maremma), Aillis is in her pen, but no SHEEP anywhere.  I look high and low, in the wood in the neighbors fields, I find some poop, but no sheep, I look for 3 hours nothing.  I stop at neighbor houses, I drive around the neighborhood still nothing.  Hours roll by and still no sign of the sheep.  Around 1 I check the fields again, and finally find them wandering around the outside of the fence.  I don't know why they choose to jump the fence for the first time ever, but I do feel strongly that they might have been chased out by coyotes.  Toruk is good, but he is also smart enough to know he doesn't have a chance if facing several coyotes on his own.  I decided to let Aillis back in with Toruk, almost a week later they haven't gotten out again.

Farming is hard enough, neighbors at times make us want to throw the towel in.  However, we are here to stay we plan to get bigger, fence in more fields and raise many more animals the way we are raising them now.

After a nice relaxing weekend I was able to spend quite a bit of time on the farm this week.  I am both refreshed from the weekend, and have renewed enthusiasm after this week on the farm.  A short recap of the week...........

Monday drive home from the lake, quick chores then back to the lake to relax until after dark.

Tuesday early rise to the farm by 6 load 88 Cornish Cross Broilers to take to Ben Shaw and his family at The Garden of Spices, I was able to spend the morning helping to process chickens and ducks.  I really enjoy time with his family, there are kids everywhere, always lots going on. 

After finishing processing I rushed home to get the chickens in the walk in cooler, and to get prepped for the Malta Farmers Market.  Sales at the market weren't great, however we delivered a CSA at the Market, and another at the Delmar drop point.

Wednesday I was able to spend the entire day on the farm I separated the last bull from the cows, and moved the cows to the back field, got ready to move the bulls to the cemetery field, moved water, and dug a water hole in the back field.  A local CSA member came to the farm to pick up their meat.

Thursday in the morning I moved the bulls to the cemetery field, moved the cows, piglets, and fixed some fencing, finally got our spotted drafts onto some nice grass.  A great customer stopped by to pick up some meat, adjust Hunter, and meat the Spotted Drafts.  Then I prepped for the Bellevue Market, another so so day with market sales.

Home by 6:30 a quick bite to eat and then off to load pigs to bring to the butcher.  I had dropped the trailer in the field earlier in the day so I jumped the fence, and opened the trailer door, called the pigs and they came a running.  In this pasture we have 4 market pigs, a Roosevelt our huge boar, and a very large sow.  Roosevelt is the first in the trailer followed by the 2 larger market pigs, I wasn't sure how to get an 800 lbs boar out of the trailer by myself without the others escaping, but somehow I did.  In less than 5 minutes from the time I arrived I had my pigs loaded the trailer hooked up, and I was off to finish chores.

Friday morning we woke early to head to the butcher, we loaded a ton of coolers in the bed of the truck, and headed out for our 1 1/2 hour drive to get to Larry's.  We arrived right on time, off loaded the pigs, and loaded up 12 coolers with 2 beefs, 2 pigs, and 2 lambs.  Then we rushed home to inventory, unload, and get ready for meat pickups.  Between 1 and 7 we had customers pick up just about 1,000 pounds of meat.  It was great to chat with some of our customers, one family drove almost an hour and a half to pick up their meats, we added 2 wonderful families from Glenville, and had a couple other long standing customers drop by to pick up as well.

Many of you know of all the heartaches, blood, sweat, and tears, that we have shed this year.  Having the honor to feed so many great families really helps to make our struggles worth the effort.  We love to offer local families a healthier, option with our tasty meats.