tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32127325237366244612024-02-20T11:42:28.671-08:00It's not a trend, it's a lifestyle.Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-48332580651435683332010-06-27T14:39:00.000-07:002010-06-27T14:55:08.233-07:00Summer 2010Well it's another hot DRY day on the farm...it's been a while since we've had time to blog! <div>Rain showers have been very few and far between, every year I always say next year will be better. We received a lot of rain during the winter months but when the temps started rising the rain stopped. I think everyone around us has received rain, we've just received a few sprinkles.</div><div>Temp's have been extreme this summer with heat indexes over 110.</div><div>But we still have faith. Faith that we will receive our share of rain!</div><div><br /></div><div>Our animals are as miserable as we are. Even the dogs stay on the porch close to the water bowl. The cows grazing times have changed to late late afternoon and early evening and they are back in the shade by 9 in the morning. Of course the pigs don't seem to care as long has they have water in the water hole to lounge around in. The garden is doing well, of course we have to water, I don't think the plants fare as well without rain water though. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know that the rain will come soon...it always does...</div><div><br /></div><div>But all in all everything is still happy and still glad to be in the game!</div>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-22958950991672609922010-03-16T06:46:00.000-07:002010-05-03T10:47:48.589-07:00Cold, hard winterThis winter has been one of the hardest on the farm that I can recall. We had rain, sleet and snow, as did much of Georgia and the nation. Every time we thought winter was going to give us a break, it got a little colder. <div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the cattle farms in Wilkes County lost calves this winter. We were very fortunate this winter. We didn't loose any calves to the cold.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Team Tink braved the cold and went to the Decatur Farmers Market in spite of it all. A big thank you to those that came out to support us during the winter months. Hopefully the markets will pick up in spring. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glad to know that, fingers crossed, the winter is almost over. I know there are a few more cold days left. However, there's comfort knowing that green grass is in the near future. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-91787815829970920272010-03-16T06:30:00.000-07:002010-05-03T10:47:22.154-07:00Spring is in the air!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTnCkVZfjTkXnxQtO2mHN0p4zM-wG3JztyDiybxNr7s2jcxvSGWhb568pe2KcPGu8UZnDsfshUOtaj-WZs8p8tCBHCKmAKzfFXUT0hdMWJcZE7bf6VrKj9SZOtFeMkE7sldd7kUPcJu4/s1600-h/Random+fall+09+100.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTnCkVZfjTkXnxQtO2mHN0p4zM-wG3JztyDiybxNr7s2jcxvSGWhb568pe2KcPGu8UZnDsfshUOtaj-WZs8p8tCBHCKmAKzfFXUT0hdMWJcZE7bf6VrKj9SZOtFeMkE7sldd7kUPcJu4/s400/Random+fall+09+100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449225739445834610" /></a><br />It has been a long, hard winter. This winter left us with lots of rain, sleet and snow. Which meant a lot of cold market days and little, to no grass. <div><br /></div><div>I sure am glad that it's starting to warm up and things are starting to turn green. I love spring. Spring to me means life. It's when animals, trees and plants come back to life after being dormant for the winter. Plus, it means green grass and warmer weather! Those two things make cows and Team Tink happy. <div><br /></div><div>However, spring also means pollen. Lots and lots of yellow pollen. Pollen means allergies and allergies mean sneezing. Yikes! Oh well, I'll take the pollen and sneezing over freezing temperatures any day. You won't find me complaining about much of anything after surviving a cold, bitter winter. I'm just glad the farm isn't any further north. </div></div>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-13382082755099266902009-12-19T14:33:00.000-08:002009-12-19T14:52:04.890-08:00Water, water everywhere!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeunJ-hJbmZeaqiBtrTZopWqaAucgVKp5e3dzId43i7UEBEnovFnJAB_IvEYRUckhf3543O5nop9PvNtVVRvYjS8krjwf4YGiYBfG5A5JTxLfp4xTcFhMQrmwq94OFMX06h4oE3_Mgro/s1600-h/pond.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeunJ-hJbmZeaqiBtrTZopWqaAucgVKp5e3dzId43i7UEBEnovFnJAB_IvEYRUckhf3543O5nop9PvNtVVRvYjS8krjwf4YGiYBfG5A5JTxLfp4xTcFhMQrmwq94OFMX06h4oE3_Mgro/s400/pond.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417080008331392226" border="0" /></a>In years past, Lucky7W has endured one drought after another. 2009 has not been one of those years. This year has been a very wet one, especially the past few months.<br /><br />The picture was taken during the fall when we received several days of rain. This area is beside our driveway, the shop butts up to it as well. No, it's not a pond. It just retains water after several inches.<br /><br />As farmers, our family loves to see rain coming. Especially if it's followed by some warm, sunny weather...perfect for growing grass. However, the past few months have been so wet and dreary that things aren't growing as well as they should.<br /><br />For instance, we planted a small garden. The garden didn't get planted as early as it should have. Due, in part, to the wet weather and ground. Now that it's been planted for months, the growth hasn't been substantial.<br /><br />No, I'm not complaining about the large amounts of rain that we've received this year. Some good has come of "the flood." The lakes in Georgia are way up, plenty of water for those with wells, we are no longer in a drought. However, I'm hoping the winter isn't as wet and miserable as it has been lately.Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-81930577172204153462009-11-15T20:21:00.001-08:002009-11-15T20:30:20.347-08:00Customer Appreciation Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrLbabggNuGH8QLBly1TelR3NzJcn42hgJU2I9JjivkDpEpYgBesJr3CCOSyDJb8ibijg8ISYGdf5VFlggd_bMItTxJnEDHmu002yHipSR5bUbV3LoKXx7anHm1LT9FLC3bNXqsuOdy8/s1600/CAD+09+036.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrLbabggNuGH8QLBly1TelR3NzJcn42hgJU2I9JjivkDpEpYgBesJr3CCOSyDJb8ibijg8ISYGdf5VFlggd_bMItTxJnEDHmu002yHipSR5bUbV3LoKXx7anHm1LT9FLC3bNXqsuOdy8/s400/CAD+09+036.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404552253690175890" /></a><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></p><span><span>Tink’s Grass Fed Beef held Customer Appreciation Day on the 7th of November at Lucky7W Farm in Washington, GA. </span></span></span></span></h3><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></h3><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span><span>Tink, Etwenda Wade, owner of Tink’s Grass Fed Beef, gets many calls and emails asking how she raises her cattle. People want to know their farmer and the practices thereof. So, to put the minds of her customers at ease, Tink decided to open her home and her farm to her customers. </span></span></span></span></h3><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></h3><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span><span>During the event, folks could take part in activities such as a hay ride, a wood splitting contest, horse shoes and more. There was also live music, lots of Tink’s burgers and even Cowboy stew; made with Tink’s Beef, of course. </span></span></span></span></h3><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></h3><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span><span>Mary Howard of Evans, an avid Tink’s supporter said, “What a great day at the farm. Thank you so much for the hospitality. We had a great time and enjoyed the yummy food.” </span></span></span></span></h3><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></h3><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span><span>A good time was had by all, even Tink. “The day was a great success. Thank you to everyone who came to support Tink’s Grass Fed Beef. You allow me to do what I love,” said Tink.</span></span><h3 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="uistorymessage"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></span></h3></span></span></h3>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-91191421873562270512009-10-22T08:56:00.000-07:002009-10-22T09:15:24.850-07:00Picture blogging<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw1X0VnSo0BJq8884BXL7fOhNMnCUTpmiFAI8VmUDWVzDVscsaP56gcghrryBYEoGhcveYa261pLmLxwgITWlpQqMY7haKJjRpX1bUBkSwFHWguGDCaDHEEs7626F1X5L2YdJN4HA1ys/s1600-h/cow+in+trough.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw1X0VnSo0BJq8884BXL7fOhNMnCUTpmiFAI8VmUDWVzDVscsaP56gcghrryBYEoGhcveYa261pLmLxwgITWlpQqMY7haKJjRpX1bUBkSwFHWguGDCaDHEEs7626F1X5L2YdJN4HA1ys/s400/cow+in+trough.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395455824718760562" /></a><br />I've been taking pictures of the farm over the last few months. I'm not a professional, but it's something I really enjoy. There are several pictures that I'm really proud of...and some that are priceless. So, I decided to start blogging with/about pictures. I'll leave the more technical blogs to Tink. <div><br /></div><div>This particular picture is one I took with my camera phone earlier this year. You really have to see it to believe it. A calf, somehow, got into the water trough. No one knows how on earth she got in the trough, but it took two men and a tractor to get her out. </div><div><br /></div><div>My dad and brother managed to get her out without a problem. They wrapped a chain around the trough and pulled it over with the tractor. The calf was then able to maneuver its way out, unscathed. Well, except for the other cows being very loud. Call me crazy, but I think they were picking on her a bit. She was embarrassed for sure. </div><div><br /></div>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-1776456302354705982009-09-21T16:24:00.000-07:002009-09-21T16:35:16.993-07:00Time to Wean<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">We don’t have many exciting things happening on the farm this time of the year so there’s not that much to write. The cows are much happier since we had rain and now it’s time to wean calves so that Mama can have a much needed break before the next calf comes along.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some farmer’s do not wean, just trust the Mother’s instinct to wean on their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well, we haven’t had a lot of luck relying on Mama. It’s hard to see a cow give birth and provide enough milk for the new calf and a 600 lb., already <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">existing</span> calf while trying to maintain herself!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We do practice low stress weaning on the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is where the cow and calf are separated by just one fence instead<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of placed more than 2 fences away. This enables the mother and the calf to come to the fence to smell each other and know that each other is safe. You can watch the mama cows come to the fence and call their calf. Both fuss at us a little, but after a day or two, calves are comfortable. They can forage and make it on their own. The calves become more trusting of us to provide what they need and Mama can focus on her task of bringing another new life to the farm.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-47133054919286607332009-08-10T08:53:00.000-07:002009-08-10T10:50:29.978-07:00Keeping up with TechnologyIt's amazing how much there is to do on a farm. Now, we not only are responsible for the upkeep of the farm and traveling to markets, but updating people as to what's going on with us. I'm not complaining in any way. I'm glad people care enough about us to want to know what's going on. The problem...I can't keep up with technology.<div><br /></div><div>I have Myspace, Facebook, multiple email accounts, two blogs and now Twitter. It's hard to keep up with what I'm supposed to do on each. I'm pretty good at keeping my Facebook friends updated on my life, but Myspace and Twitter, not so much. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then there are the blogs. I think about updating the Tink's Beef blog, then I somehow get sidetracked. Which, let me tell you, is easy to do. So, that's part of the reason it has been so long since the last blog. We just forget, but we have the best of intentions. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've decided that the only way to remedy this is to plaster my desk with sticky notes to remind me of all the things I'm supposed to update. Hopefully this will be a helpful reminder. So, please bear with us. We are, after all, a work in progress.</div>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-43801168113065368942009-07-21T17:45:00.000-07:002009-07-21T18:08:09.707-07:00Sometimes life on the farm can be challenging…especially when wildlife is involved. Yes, all God’s creatures have their own personality and charm, but living amongst them is not always so much fun. Especially when it’s a skunk.<br /><br />For those that haven't experienced the lovely smell of a skunk, let me tell you, it's not fun. Our new neighbor sprayed everyday, sometimes several times. The smell permeates anything in it's path. Your eyes and nostrils burn, your clothes and hair take on the smell and you can't breathe normally. Needless to say, it's no walk in the park.<br /><br />We have been looking for the skunk that, of course hide under the shop for about a month or so. Every morning when I got up, you could tell that we'd had a visitor, a smelly one at that. So, I did some research to find out how to get rid of him/her. During my search, I found some mistruths about skunks. Those that blogged about their knowledge of skunks must have never dealt with a country skunk.<br /><br />Myth one, skunks cannot climb....False! I stood at by back porch and watched him climb up the deacon’s bench to get the cat food. I placed the food higher thinking that he couldn’t climb. The next advice was to trap him and take him out in the country to free him. Well, I already live in the country. Should I reverse it and take him to the city to set him free?<br /><br />By the time my son finally located his habitat, which happened to be in the basement of our shop...and yes, he could climb stairs…we'd been sprayed way too many times. Needless to say he has been relocated…Could he be in your Yard?Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-66476643566577163572009-07-10T12:50:00.000-07:002009-07-10T13:14:35.911-07:00Farming, it's not so easy<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5COwner%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Farming is one of the hardest, most challenging things I have ever done. It is also one of the most rewarding, running a close second to being a Mother. I love taking the best care of God’s earth that I can. I love the animals and the relationship I have with them. I take pride in what I do and always strive to do my best as a farmer.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">We have been retailing beef for four years now.<span style=""> </span>No, I do not know everything about grass fed animals. I do know that cows like grass and that is what's best for them. Luckily, I have 230 acres for them to enjoy.<span style=""> </span>No, our farm is no where near what I think it should be. However, I can see how far it has come since we bought it in 1995.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""></span>Our farm is the largest parcel of what is left of a 7,000 acre cotton plantation.<span style=""> </span>It was in terrible shape when we purchased it.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think it had been limed in 35 years.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think it had been bush hogged in about 5 years.<span style=""> </span>The thistle and dog fennel were taller than I am.<span style=""> </span>The old black gentleman that worked for us in the beginning and myself dug thistle<span style=""> </span>by the truck load and hauled them away.<span style=""> To this day, we still dig thistle and/or cut the heads off to try to stop them from multiplying. T</span>histle is one thing I’m now sure I will never get full control of. That is until I can introduce multi-grazers. <span style=""></span>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">We are trying hard to be a sustainable farm by doing what we can as we can afford it.<span style=""> </span>Our plans are to break up larger pastures into the paddock systems. Each paddock will have its own water supply. We also want to introduce other grazers to help manage the forages we produce.<span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">This year we had a soil scientist analyze<span style=""> </span>the soil to make sure we could produce the grass and forages that we desire.<span style=""> </span>Great results were uncovered! We have the ability to produce and meet our goals.<span style=""> </span>So, I guess to sum this all up we are striving to meet the goals we set before ourselves one day at a time.<span style=""> </span>And to take a piece of what most thought was used up cotton fields and make it a sustainable grass farm.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">We may only retail beef products, but that's because it's what we know best. We will use other animals to meet the goals we have for pasture production.<span style=""> </span>We are still a work in progress and we strive to do our very best with what God has entrusted upon us.
<br /></p> Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-33528304412078774972009-07-05T10:59:00.000-07:002009-07-06T13:56:55.904-07:00Craziness Ensues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz6tALi6mo2hHqyamXKz9cM34uxl3DoWw_agM9B_r2t5ej6b6LxBtAeRczd5LSD_v4-oz7RaJjjHiMIGqghOekndTxwMk72kVANcYph4cDIf54eadC90hj8dedBbEIkqfZ2cVO5NRudc/s1600-h/tractor+tire.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz6tALi6mo2hHqyamXKz9cM34uxl3DoWw_agM9B_r2t5ej6b6LxBtAeRczd5LSD_v4-oz7RaJjjHiMIGqghOekndTxwMk72kVANcYph4cDIf54eadC90hj8dedBbEIkqfZ2cVO5NRudc/s320/tractor+tire.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355040710921191618" /></a><br />Life on the farm is always interesting, you just never know what's going to happen next. I personally like that you can't always predict the craziness that is the life of a farmer. For one, it makes for great stories to pass on to others. <div><br /></div><div>Picture it, Washington, GA June 20, 2009. Mom and I were leaving the Harmony Crossing Farmers Market when my phone chimed to let me know I had a new message. I checked my text messages to find a picture, the one above, from my brother. I looked at the picture and immediately called my brother to find out the story behind it. </div><div><br /></div><div>My brother was bringing the tractor from one of the pastures to the house...He needed to add air to one of the front tires... When he got home and walked around the tractor, he found a deer antler in one of the back tractor tires. The antler punctured the tire in three places. Yes, three places. </div><div><br /></div><div>We were all surprised by this. I for one, thought the antler should have broken instead of puncturing the tire. For the antler to be able to create three holes, it had to be laying just so. I guess it was our lucky day!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, the tire had to by plugged in three places and the water tube inside the tire had to be replaced. It wasn't cheap or an easy fix...but we were back in business the same evening. It just goes to show that you can never predict or control the craziness that is the life of a farmer. </div>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-91298039737188113092009-06-21T19:17:00.000-07:002009-06-21T19:17:00.430-07:00Know Your FoodWe hear it all the time, America is a fast, easy, give me what I want now nation. Everyone is always in a hurry. So, it doesn't surprise me that fast food chains are still multi-billion dollar corporations. It's quick, it's easy. <div><br /></div><div>People think just because they order a wrap instead of the sandwich or a salad instead of fries that it's good for us. That by substituting the "fatty" foods with something else makes eating out safe. Well, you should heed my advice, eat out at your own risk. <div><br /></div><div>Now, I know that sometimes you want someone else to take care of the cooking and washing dishes for you. I know that you're tired when you get home from work and cooking is sometimes the last thing you want to do. Here's the thing, you are what you eat and you should be more aware of what you eat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Your body needs fuel to run efficiently. If you are feeding your body junk, you will feel terrible...no energy, headaches, unable to satisfy your hunger. It's amazing how much better you'll feel if you just eat right. By eating right, I mean eating foods in which you know their origin. Do your research, you'll see just how much junk you are putting into your system.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't believe me, just take a look the nutritional data for your favorite chain. Most restaurants have the nutrition guide posted either on their website and/or somewhere in the establishment. It's quite shocking to see how many calories and grams of fat, etc. are in some of your favorite things.</div><div><br /></div><div>Salads and fruits aren't even a safe option. Most salads and fruits aren't made in the establishment you are visiting. They are prepared and shipped from somewhere else. So, that means they must have lots of preservatives to keep them fresh. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, you don't know where the fruits, veggies, meats, etc. are created. Which means you don't know how this food was handled and/or raised/made. There could be pesticides, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics, and other things that aren't good for your body in these foods.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I challenge you to cook at home more, find local farmers, know where your food originates. Most of all, keep yourself and your family safe by eating healthy and knowing your food.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3212732523736624461.post-1534293103230989662009-06-17T14:13:00.000-07:002009-06-21T13:06:17.170-07:00Blog away<div>The purpose of this blog is to keep the customers and others updated on Tink's Grass Fed Beef. We want you to know what's going on at the market, at the farm and in our heads...scary! Each post will either be from Tink or her daughter, Carissa. So, sit back and enjoy, it's going to be a wild ride!</div><div><br /></div><div>2009 has been a great year for us. This year Tink's Beef went mobile. By that I mean, there is a freezer in the back of our truck, a.k.a. the ghetto meat wagon. That allows us to travel to a market near you. I must say that I love going to farmers markets. They are all so different, but we meet some great people! </div><div><br /></div><div>What I love most about the markets, is when customers give positive feedback. I love to hear that you love our products. I know I love it and I just want to share the goodness that is Tink's Grass Fed Beef with others. After all, my mom did teach me to share. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would like to thank all of you that support us and other local farmers. It's important to know where your food is created. The customers allow us to do what we love, farm. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that's all for now. Until next time, keep your tummy full of locally grown goodness.</div>Tink's Grass Fed Beefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09488190497000250688noreply@blogger.com0