The First Cut Club at The Farmstead Butcher

Wouldn't it be great if someone put together a fully customized meat bundle for you every week, and did so at a great price? 

Wouldn't it be a relief if some of the decisions about your weekly meal planning was done for you, and helped you broaden your horizons when it comes to your meat selection?  

Wouldn't it be gratifying if you were given priority status, allowing you to have dibs on the weekly inventory at your favorite butcher shop?  

Finally, wouldn't it be comforting to know that the meat you and your family were eating was carefully sourced from responsible local farms using sustainable production practices, and cut in house every week by skilled, craft butchers?

We thought all of those things would be great too!  That's why we are offering our first ever meat share beginning in January 2018!

Introducing the First Cut Club at The Farmstead Butcher!

The First Cut Club:

The First Cut Club is a new weekly meat subscription option being offered by The Farmstead Butcher!  

By joining The First Cut Club, you will receive the area's best fresh meats in conveniently packaged portions every week, while also helping us to practice whole animal butchery with minimal waste.

The meat you receive in The First Cut Club will be selected by us, the Farmstead Butcher staff, based on guidance you give us through your choice of 1 or more of 9 options, listed below.  Our selections and cuts of meat in the shares will be made with consideration given to the season of year, appropriate portion sizes, and variety from week to week.

Members of The First Cut Club will get priority status, meaning that we will fill all member's meat shares for the First Cut Club each week, BEFORE we offer any of it for sale in our retail meat cases!  How's that for status??

As you've come to expect, all meats will be sourced from local farms that we know and trust, who are practicing good animal husbandry and stewardship.

The Options:

So let's talk about what you can get!  Each of the options below is designed to give you as much flexibility in your meal planning as possible.

If you are unsure of how much meat you may need under any of the options, contact us!  We'd love to help you decide what you need.

In addition to receiving your share under the First Cut Club, we will always have a wide selection of meat available in our retail case every week during regular store hours, in case you need to fill in some holes occasionally.

Finally, at long last, here are the Options:

1.  Ground Meat Option--$6 per week:  Includes our choice of 1 lb ground beef, OR ground pork, OR ground chicken, OR housemade pork sausage.

2.  Beef Thrifty Shopper Option--$7 per week:  Includes our choice of 1 lb of boneless beef roasts such as Eye Round, Chuck Roast, Stew Cubes, etc.

3.  Beef Best Value Steak Option--$13 per week:  Includes our choice of 1 lb of artisanal cut , boneless beef steaks OR roasts.  May include steaks such as Sirloin, London broil, Denver Steaks, Flat Iron, Culotte, etc



4.  Beef Premium Steak Option--$17 per week:  Includes our choice of 1 lb of premium beef steaks, such as New York Strip, Ribeye, or Tenderloin

5.  Pork Option--$8 per week:  Includes our choice of 1 lb of pork chops OR roasts.  May be bone in or boneless.

6.  Chicken Option--$14 per week:  Includes our choice of one whole chicken, 3.5-4.5 lbs, OR 2-3 lbs of our choice of chicken breasts, legs, thighs, and wings.

7.  Bacon Option--$9.50 per week:  Includes 1 lb of our housemade cured and smoked bacon, made from heritage pork.

8.  Cured Meat Option--$12.00 per week:  Includes 1 lb of our choice of house cured meats.

9.  Egg Option--$4.50 per week:  Includes 1 dozen of eggs from free range chickens.


The Details:

Ok, now that you know about all of the things you can get through the First Cut Club, here are the specifics you need to know about how The First Cut Club works:

• You can opt-in to the First Cut Club by choosing which of the options above best fit your needs and budget.  

• Once you have made your choices, you can contact us by email or by phone (717.334.6328) and we'll reserve your membership in the First Cut Club, and help you figure out your total cost of all of the options you selected.

• Payment must be made in full before the first distribution in January.  Payment can be made with cash, check, credit card, or a Farmstead Butcher gift card.

• Beginning the second week in January 2018, members will be able to pick up fresh, delicious, locally raised meats, packaged according to your specified options, and ready to cook.

• The subscription will run for 12 consecutive weeks.  We will re-enroll the First Cut Club about 4-6 weeks prior to the end of the 12 week period for the next quarter.  Current members will get first option to renew.

• The pick up location will be at The Farmstead Butcher, 2778 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

• Weekly shares must be picked up during regular store hours, Fridays noon until 6pm, or Saturdays 10am til 4pm.  Other times may be possible by appointment, if you are not able to pick up during regular hours because of an occasional conflict.

• Due to a shortage of refrigerated storage space, shares that aren't picked up will be forfeited on Saturday evenings of each week unless you contact us to make alternate arrangements.  Sorry....

Other Benefits:

In addition to getting first crack at really great meat at a really fair price, we have a few other perks for you as well!

• Each member will get an insulated reusable cooler bag with your first pick up, to be used each week to keep your meat cold until you get it home.

• Tech Support--we'll share some recipes throughout the share to help you discover new ways to cook the meat you receive through The First Cut Club.  (And we're always happy to answer questions and share tips on a personalized level--just ask!!)

• And finally, all current members will be given first option to renew in the next 12 week session of The First Cut Club!

Enroll Today!

The enrollment deadline for the first session of The First Cut Club is 12/31/2017, so contact us today to join!  You can email us at farmsteadbutcher@gmail.com, or give us a call at 717.334.6328 (MEAT)!  We can't wait to hear from you!

Thanksgiving Turkey Time, 2016

Yep, you read that title correctly.  It's already time to start thinking about Thanksgiving turkeys!

We are going to be growing our own this year again, after a few years of sourcing them from our interns and team members.  

Some details:

• We will have Broad Breasted Bronze or Broad Breasted White turkeys, depending on what's available when we order the poults.  Both breeds will give you a turkey that is super meaty and juicy, and proportionally larger in the breast.  As always, we will raise them on pasture, and they will be fed a diet free from GMO ingredients and antibiotics.  The birds will be processed the week before Thanksgiving in our on-farm, USDA inspected processing plant, and will be sold fresh, never frozen.  Turkeys will be picked up at our retail store located at 2776 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, during regular hours or by appointment.

• My current estimate is that the turkeys will weigh about 20 lbs, but we may see a difference of up to 5 lbs either way.  Please understand that we don't have the ability to promise a turkey of an exact size, due to the small number that we produce, and everyone's desire to have fresh, not frozen, turkeys.  If you think that 20 lbs is too big, plan for leftovers!  Or, maybe consider ordering 2 if you're feeding a big crowd on Thanksgiving.

• The price for turkeys will be $3.50/lb, or $70 total for a turkey of the size we are expecting.  Again, be prepared for the possibility of some additional pounds in case the birds grow faster than expected.  

• A deposit of $40 will be required to secure your order.
• Turkeys will be sold on a first come, preorder basis!  We can't guarantee a turkey for you unless you order it now!

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.  When you are ready to order, you can place your order by email to rettlandfarm@gmail.com.  Don't delay, supplies will be limited!

Rettland Farm-To-You

We know how it is.

You love our farm and products, but it's just too difficult to get to our retail store on a regular basis.

We love getting our products to you, but the traditional farmer's market in your neighborhood doesn't seem to be a good fit for us, for a bunch of reasons.

Good news!  We have found the perfect solution for all!

Rettland Farm-To-You

We are thrilled to announce the beginning of our new retail operation, Rettland Farm-To-You!

Rettland Farm-To-You is a monthly service that allows our loyal customers, those who live a bit too far away to regularly visit our on-farm retail shop, to pre-order any of our retail meats or other available products, and then have them delivered to a central location close to their homes!

How Does it Work??

Easy.

• Every month, we will post a full listing of all meat cuts and other products that are available for that month.  We'll make you aware of the listing by email and social media.
• You send us an email order by the deadline, and we fill them on a first come basis.
• After the order is filled, we collect payment (either by credit card or check).
• We deliver to you!  Delivery is made to a convenient, central location, on a given day at a specific time.  You simply pick up your order, and you are on your way in minutes!

What's Available?

We will feature a full line of retail pork cuts and chickens, all made from our own antibiotic free, GMO free, seasonally pastured animals here at Rettland Farm.  

To supplement our product lines, we will also partner with other farms to provide other proteins like beef and lamb to supplement our products.  We ALWAYS label the origin of meats produced by other farms, and they ALWAYS meet the same high standards we set for our own products.

All cuts will be processed under USDA inspection, packaged in cryovac packaging, and frozen.  Availability of specific cuts may vary, so check the listing each month for items available that month.

Where Are the Drop Locations?

The following locations have agreed to be drop locations for Rettland Farm-To-You.  Please thank them for their willingness to both support our farm and also to get wholesome, local food into their communities!

• The Mill in Hershey: 810 Old West Chocolate Ave, Hershey PA, 17033. 
• Waterfront Kitchen:  1417 Thames St, Baltimore MD, 21231.

We will continue to add new locations in the coming months.  Have an idea for a drop location in your town or neighborhood?  Let us know by email to rettlandfarm@gmail.com. 

Join The Group!

To be sure you don't miss this great opportunity, drop us an email at rettlandfarm@gmail.com and ask to be put on the Farm-To-You mailing list.  That way we can be sure to let you know when product lists are put up, as well as order deadlines and delivery days.  

Hope to see you soon, in YOUR neighborhood!

Rettland Farm Share 2016

It's February.

Groundhogs.

Presidents.

Valentine's.

And the new Rettland Farm Share roll out!

That's right, Farmees.  It's that time of year when we open up our Farm Share for enrollment.  The Farm Share is our version of a CSA, only with more flexibility and options built in for our members!

Here's how it works:

The Buy In Phase:

Like any CSA, we have to start with the buy in, the price you pay for membership in the farm share.

Unlike most CSAs, however, you decide the price you pay for this one.

That's right, there is no set CSA fee for the Farm Share.  You pay what you can based on your budget and food needs.

What we offer you in return for your commitment to the farm for the year is a little "thank you" in the form of a bonus on top of your investment.

• For amounts up to $499, we will add 3% to the amount of your investment.  
• For amounts of $500 and up we will add 8% to the amount of your investment.  
• And for amounts over $1000, we'll simultaneously be impressed and humbled by your dedication to Rettland Farm, we'll give you the 8% bonus, and we'll throw in a Rettland Farm “Taste Freedom” T-Shirt!

You can make your investment anytime between now and May 1, 2016.  However, we’ve added an early pay bonus this year as well:

• Pay for your Farm Share before March 1, 2016 and receive an ADDITIONAL 3% bonus.
• Pay for your Farm Share before April 1, 2016 and receive an ADDITIONAL 2% bonus.

Just remember that the Buy-In phase closes May 1, 2015, and Farm Shares will not be available after that date.

When we have received your fees, we will issue you a Share Card.  We’re actually leaping into the 21^st Century this year, and the Share Cards will be plastic!  (No more savings books, which, though quaint, were a little cumbersome, we’ll be the first to admit.)

The amount on the Share Card will be equal to your dollar investment plus all of your applicable bonuses, whatever they may be.  At that point all you need to do is to wait for May 2.

Because beginning May 2, we begin the Share phase.

The Share Phase:

After May 2, and until your Share Card balance reaches $0, you are entitled to begin collecting your Farm Share, in the form of ANY of the products that we produce and have available for sale at that time.  No set quantities.  No fixed items. No mandatory pick up schedule.

What’s Available This Year?

• Pastured Broiler Chickens: Pasture raised, antibiotic free, GMO free, whole chickens and occasionally parts and pieces.
• Heritage Pork:  Pasture/Free Range raised, heritage breed, antibiotic free, GMO free.  We carry a wide variety of retail cuts, sold frozen in cryovac packaging.  Some cuts include pork chops, boneless loins, roasts, sausages, bacon, cured boneless hams, fresh leg steaks, spareribs, baby back ribs….plus cured, bone in “holiday hams” for the holidays by Special Order
• Eggs:  From pastured hens, antibiotic free, GMO free.
• We’re also making arrangements to bring in other staple items like beef and lamb from other farmers.  These products will always be clearly marked with the name of the folks that produce it—we’re going to carry them because they are awesome products that we eat ourselves, and also to broaden your selection when you visit the Larder.
• And anything else that we can grow ourselves or source from other fantastic local growers.

In short, you can take ANY Rettland Farm product that we have available throughout the season, in ANY quantity that you'd like to have it in.  The idea here is to make your Farm Share more customized to your needs and tastes, and not try to cram everyone into the same mold.

The Point(s) of Sale:

The main point of sale, where you will be able to collect your Farm Share will be the Larder at Rettland Farm, at 2776 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA.  At a minimum, The Larder will be open Saturdays, and we are considering Friday evening hours as well. And access to The Larder is always available by appointment.

**For our Members in Baltimore—We finally have the beginnings of a Buyer’s Club program for you! We have been graciously offered a drop point at Waterfront Kitchen in Fells Point once per month.  We are also looking for potential drop locations in North Baltimore, and we’ll let you know as soon as we find them.  Let me know if you would like more info!

At the point of sale, you will simply select the products that you'd like to buy just like you would do at any farmers' market, and then present them to our Team member at the point of sale along with your Share Card.  The retail price of your purchases will be added up, and the total will be deducted from your remaining balance on the Share Card. 

You'll repeat this process until your balance reaches $0, at which point you are still welcome to shop with us.  You'll just use other forms of payment besides your Share Card.

Additional Perks:

In addition to the cash bonus on the Share Card, you'll also receive a few extra perks for being part of the Farm Share.

• To give you the best selection of our available products each week, Share members will get first dibs on our inventory, no matter what.  Members will be allowed early access to the Larder each day it is open.  So if the Larder's posted hours have it opening at 12 noon for the general public, it will be open at 10 am for Share members.
• Share members will also receive early bird tips about special products that we have available in limited quantities, such as holiday hams or Thanksgiving turkeys, before we announce their availability to the general public. You will also get first crack at our Farm Dinners held throughout the year.
• Finally, we'll give each member one insulated reuseable tote bage that you can use to safely carry your goodies home from your visits to the Larder.

The Fine Print:

Please understand that while we're trying maximize your freedom of choice, we're still a relatively small farm, and sometimes our inventories of certain products are low. It's important to know that this is still a CSA of sorts, and by no means a mega supermarket with seemingly endless supplies of everything.

There will be days that we don't have what you want.  But we will always have something awesome for you to eat.  CSAs are meant to challenge your thinking when it comes to food, and make you step outside your comfort zone when it comes to cooking.  So if we don't have bacon on the shelf when you visit, rest assured that we'll have it next week or the week after, and these pork minute steaks will be amazing on your plate until then.

Plan to take 6-8 months to exhaust your share.  That is certainly the intention, to allow you to experience as much of the farm's seasonality as possible.  If you try to collect your full share in the blink of an eye early in the season, you're going to miss out on some great stuff later in the season. 

How to Join:

Simply send me an email.  rettlandfarm@gmail.com and put “Farm Share” in the subject line.  Let me know that you're interested and the approximate dollar amount you'd like to invest.  We'll take it from there.

Thanks to you all for your continued support.  Here’s to a great Farm Share 2016!

Help Wanted: Head Butcher

Want to join the Rettland Farm team?? We're hiring!

Head Butcher

Background: 

Rettland Farm is a small diversified farm in Gettysburg, PA, producing pastured poultry and livestock for direct sale to professional restaurant as well as home kitchens. Our family farm is growing, and as a result we are adding to our team.  We are seeking a motivated, dependable individual to join our team on a full time basis as a Head Butcher for our on-farm, very small, very low volume, USDA inspected poultry slaughter plant.

This position will be full time, year round beginning on or about March 15, 2016, with a set schedule of days per week and hours per day.  Current plans include (4)-10 hour days per work week, but this is subject to change.

Job Description:

The Head Butcher will be responsible for conducting daily operations of a busy, small scale, on-farm poultry slaughter plant.  At a minimum, specific required tasks will include: performing and delegating plant sanitation duties; verifying and documenting that all plant sanitation activities are done in accordance with written preoperational and operational Sanitary SOPs; leading a crew of 2 or 3 additional personnel in performing the slaughter and packaging of poultry for retail sale and wholesale distribution; perform monitoring of Critical Control Points according to plant HACCP systems and recording the results of those observations; perform plant quality assurance observations; following instructions from in-plant USDA inspection personnel; striving to make plant sanitation and food safety a top priority every day;  performing any other tasks that may arise, or are assigned by the Plant Manager (Owner).

Essential Skills: 

The successful candidate will be able to work independently and as part of a team; have exceptional leadership, communication and interpersonal skills; possess a high degree of personal hygiene; work in refrigerated temperatures; be able to lift and carry up to 70 lbs; humanely handle, kill, and eviscerate poultry using approved techniques and procedures; and understand HACCP principles and thoroughly complete HACCP monitoring records.

Minimum Qualifications:

 At a minimum, the successful candidate will:

•       Possess verifiable experience in a meat processing plant, with an advantage to those candidates with supervisory experience, and/or experience in poultry slaughter.

•       Possess a valid driver's license (non-CDL)

•       Be willing to submit to a criminal background check

•       Be available for work on a full time basis on a set schedule that will include weekdays.

Compensation:

We offer a competitive salary based upon experience, plus employee discounts on all products in our on-farm retail store. 

Contact:

For more information, please email a resume and cover letter with salary requirements to rettlandfarm@gmail.com.

Farm Share 2015

If you remember, last year we took a little different approach to a typical CSA for our farm.  We discussed the reasons for doing so here.

We came up with a new program we call the Farm Share, and we rolled it out for the first time in 2014.

It worked pretty well.

So, we're going to do it again.

The Rettland Farm Share 2015 is Open for Business!

Here's how it works:

The Buy In Phase:

Like any CSA, we have to start with the buy in, the price you pay for membership in the farm share. 

Unlike most CSAs, however, you decide the price you pay for this one.

That's right, no set CSA fee.  You pay what you can based on your budget and food needs.
What we offer you in return for your commitment to the farm for the year is a little "thank you" in the form of a bonus on top of your investment.

For amounts up to $499, we will add 5% to the amount of your investment.  For amounts of $500 and up we will add 10% to the amount of your investment.  And for amounts over $1000, we'll simultaneously be impressed and humbled by your dedication to Rettland Farm, we'll give you the 10% bonus, and we'll throw in your choice of a Rettland Farm ballcap or T-Shirt.  For amounts over $2000, after we get over being gobsmacked by your awesomeness, we'll give you all of the other bonuses, plus a loaf of sourdough bread, made from our own organic wheat flour, baked by yours truly, and delivered, still warm, to your door.  (Heck, we'll even make you some butter to go along with it!)

You can make your investment anytime between now and May 1, 2015.  You can pay it all at once, or make installments as often as you like.  The schedule is entirely up to you, but the Buy-In phase closes May 1, 2015, and no funds will be accepted after that date.

We can also gladly accept credit cards for your Share.  However we will have to pass along a small 3% fee for that service.

Once you have paid your fees, we will issue you a Share Card, which will be modeled after a savings account passbook.  The amount on the Share Card will be equal to your dollar investment plus your bonus, whatever that may be.  At that point all you need to do is to wait for May 2.
Because beginning May 2, we begin the Share phase.

The Share Phase

After May 2, and until your Share Card balance reaches $0, you are entitled to begin collecting your Farm Share, in the form of ANY of the products that we produce and have available for sale at that time.  No set quantities.  No fixed items. No mandatory pick up schedule. 

What’s Available This Year?

You probably know we produce pastured broiler chickens while the grass is green.  You can take some of them as your share, starting around May 1.

And we also raise pigs that ultimately make some pretty tasty pork, from chops to bacon to hams to all manner of sausages.  You can claim some of that for your share too.

We also play around with some organic grains, and we grind them into flour sometimes.  Or sometimes we sell the grains whole.  So now grains and flour can be part of your share too, if you're so inclined.

Eggs. Yes, the next generation of farmers here are starting up an egg business, and have their birds brooding in our living room as we speak, so look for some pretty special eggs to join the show this year.

Look for some lamb late in the summer.  We’ll have that too.

We’re also making arrangements to bring in other staple items like beef, and maybe some produce, from other farmers.  These products will always be clearly marked with the name of the folks that produce it—we’re going to carry them because they are awesome products that we eat ourselves, and also to broaden your selection when you visit the Larder.

In short, you can take ANY Rettland Farm product that we have available throughout the season, in ANY quantity that you'd like to have it in.  The idea here is to make your Farm Share more customized to your needs and tastes, and not try to cram everyone into the same mold.

The Point of Sale

The main point of sale, where you will be able to collect your Farm Share will be the Larder at Rettland Farm, at 2776 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA.  At a minimum, The Larder will be open Saturdays, and we are considering Friday evening hours as well. And access to The Larder is always available by appointment.

(For our Members in Baltimore, I am willing to put together a Buyer's Club program for you, with deliveries to Charm City throughout the year.  We just need to get a group of the Rettland Farm Faithful together so we can make that trip!) 

At the point of sale, you will simply select the products that you'd like to buy just like you would do at any farmers' market, and then present them to our Team member at the point of sale along with your Share Card.  The retail price of your purchases will be added up, and the total will be deducted from your remaining balance on the Share Card. 

You'll repeat this process until your balance reaches $0, at which point you are still welcome to shop with us.  You'll just use other forms of payment besides your Share Card.

Additional Perks

In addition to the cash bonus on the Share Card, you'll also receive a few extra perks for being part of the Farm Share.

To give you the best selection of our available products each week, Share members will be allowed early access to the Larder each day it is open.  So if the Larder's posted hours have it opening at 12 noon for the general public, it will be open at 10 am for Share members.

Share members will also receive early bird tips about special products that we have available in limited quantities, such as holiday hams or Thanksgiving turkeys, before we announce their availability to the general public.

Finally, we'll give each member one insulated reuseable tote bage that you can use to safely carry your goodies home from your visits to the Larder.

The Fine Print

Please understand that while we're trying maximize your freedom of choice, we're still a relatively small farm, and sometimes our inventories of certain products are low. It's important to know that this is still a CSA of sorts, and by no means a mega supermarket with seemingly endless supplies of everything. 

There will be days that we don't have what you want.  But we will always have something awesome for you to eat.  CSAs are meant to challenge your thinking when it comes to food, and make you step outside your comfort zone when it comes to cooking.  So if we don't have bacon on the shelf when you visit, rest assured that we'll have it next week or the week after, and these pork minute steaks will be amazing on your plate until then.

Plan to take 6-8 months to exhaust your share.  That is certainly the intention, to allow you to experience as much of the farm's seasonality as possible.  If you try to collect your full share in the blink of an eye early in the season, you're going to miss out on some great stuff later in the season.  And make things really stressful for us.

How to Join:

Simply send me an email.  farmer@rettlandfarm.com and put “Farm Share” in the subject line.  Let me know that you're interested, the approximate dollar amount you'd like to invest, and what payment schedule you're thinking about, if any.  I'll take it from there.

(And if you're from the Baltimore area, please let me know that too.  We'll see what we can do about putting together a Buyer's Club there.  Be forewarned though:  I may ask you to help!)

Thanks to you all for your continued support.  Here’s to a great 2015!

Farm Table Dinner at Rettland Farm, featuring 154 Supperclub

You are hereby receiving notice of the first ever Farm Table dinner at our farm!

 

We have teamed up with 154 Supperclub, with Chef Josh Fidler at the helm.  (In his spare time, Josh is also the Executive Chef at Garryowen Irish Pub in Gettysburg.  I hear that sometimes he also does things besides cooking, but that may just be a rumor).

 

The Pertinent Details:

• We will host this dinner on Sunday, June 22, 2014, beginning at 5:30 pm at Rettland Farm at Far Oakes, located at 2776 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA.

• Here is the menu for this feast.  It looks insane! 

• The suggested donation to cover the cost of the food and the culinary talent is $60 per person.  You will need to pay by cash or check, and payment details can be worked out with your reservation. 

• Please bring your favorite alcoholic beverage to enjoy with your meal, (BYOB) if you wish to do so.  Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

• In order to reserve your seat, you must contact Josh Fidler by emailing him at 154supperclub@gmail.com.  Please cc me at farmer@rettlandfarm.com on the email as well. 

  

This is an extremely limited seating event, so DON"T DELAY if you'd like to attend.  We expect the dinner to sell out very quickly!

 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me or Josh at the above email address. 

 

I hope you can join us for what is shaping up to be a fantastic evening of food and fun!