YouTube

Yes we have taken the dive into the world of YouTube.  Our YouTube channel has been a work in progress for a while.  The kids (Jessie, Tori and Joey) have been on us for years to get a YouTube channel started.  It wasn't until a local guy who does lots of YouTube stopped by and kicked us off that we really looked into it.  One afternoon there was a knock at the door and Jesse Ridgway, a local YouTuber, asked me to allow him to do a series of videos about a kid who works on the farm.  At first we did not want to be part of it but Jesse was so nice and gave us little roles.  Soon we were on scene nearly everyday.
Wow !!!  I think we have been saying that for 3 months.....it does take lots of extra time and we are trying to make interesting content.  I (Anita) have been learning to edit, something that came naturally to Joey and Tori.  Nancy is answering fan calls and trying to keep the "shout out board" up to date....all the while we are still trying to farm and make 7 farmer's markets a week.

Not complaining though its all fun.  We are falling into a groove of getting work done, filming and editing.
Thanks to all who watch...........there is so much more to come!!!!!

Christmas is a Slower Time at the Farm

Christmas Preparations........Yes the farm is still technically open for Christmas.  Be it WAY less hours for Nancy and I we make handmade wreaths, grave blankets, centerpieces, anything we are requested to do.
Yesterday Steve and the boys helped me trim a neighbor's pine tree.  We were able to enough the base greens for the orders we have to make for Wednesday pick up.  The Holly Trees are the next to get their trim.  There shiny green prickly leaves and bright berries will be used for accents on our holiday greenery.
It is a slower pace here at the farm at this time of year..  Nancy and I make our "creations" in the Kid's Play Greenhouse near the farm market.  The smells of fresh cut pine is heavy in the air.  We have hunters come buy to purchase feed corn and chat.  We mostly sing along to the Christmas music playing and chat about what we will get people for Christmas.  Teachers, group leaders, friends and family.  We gift to many of the same people so we need to be sure not to double a gift.  Sometime we actually try to coordinate the gifts....and sometimes that even works out!!!

Many people ask about our day.  To us it seems pretty normal.  Get up, kids ready for school, kids out the door, us out to work........it is here where we take a turn from the normal.
First.......Food and Water....Chickens, Pigs, Goats oh my!!!!
So far there have only been a few mornings when the water buckets were frozen but that will soon happen everyday.  So we lug water buckets from the house out to the pens.  Crack the ice in the buckets that we have out there and set them in the sun to dry.  But until the frozen buckets we LOVE the hose!!!!
So water and feed all animals, collect any eggs (there are way less this time of year so that is a quick job)
If we have any...pick collards, kale, broccoli, etc.  We did a really good job of selling out this fall so we only need to check these items once or twice a week.
Check the greenhouse.....yes we still have tomatoes growing in the greenhouse.  The are slow to grow and even slower to ripen this time of year but we get enough to feed our households.
Today I will make grave blankets for a customer who ordered 8.  Nancy will decorate them.  She has a special knack of making each blanket personal for the person it is meant for ...even though she may have never known that person.
Then done by 3 to get the kids from the bus and make dinner.......lots different from the summer schedule but there it is.........a day in the life!!!

County Fair

Well today was the closing day of our county fair.  The kids work all year preparing their animals to show at the fair.  It is a tiring week for the parents, who work food stands, t shirt booths and endlessly trim and prep with the children and the animals.  The kids show all day and enjoy the fair all night.
As I sit here totally exhausted I listen to the kids talking about how next year they will win a higher ribbon or try to show a different animal.
The life of a farm kid !!!!  Thrilling and exhausting !!!!

Tomatoes are finally here !!!!

WOW !!!!

Summer has been slow to start this year at the farm.  We are usually flush with tomatoes by now and this year we have just started to pick them.  They are coming out slowly but it looks like we will pick them this week.
What to do with your tomatoes once we get them ??  I know the classic tomato sandwich is the first thing to come to mind but here is one way we like them here at the farm.

Tomato Salad

• 5 tomatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

• 2 tablespoons crushed garlic
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Mix all together and refrigerate for several hours before serving.

Our September Schedule

September 8..........1 till 4 pm.........Grandparents Day.........Bring Grandma to to the farm !!!!  or Grandpa !!!

Each Grandparent will receive a free bag of animal feed to share with their grand children and a special gift for the grandparent too !!!! 

September 15...........1 till 3.......Scavenger Hunt...........Stop by the farm stand to receive a list of items to find.  Return with a full bag for a prize.

September 22.......1 till 3 ....Farm Equipment Day !!!  If your little one loves the tractors bring them to the farm for this event.  Our tractors will be on display for little ones to check out!!!!

September 29............1 till 3........Bunny Day !!! This will be our last bunny day for the season.  Bunnies will be on display and Jessie ( our resident bunny expert) will be here to help little ones get an on hands experience.

 October 12.......6  till 9 pm.......Flashlight Tag in the corn maze !!!!  

$5 per person.  Bring your own flashlight and marshmallow to roast at the fire.  We will drop you off at the entrance of the corn maze and you play your way to the end.  

All events are free unless otherwise noted. 

Fall is coming !!!!

You can see by the blogs I write.........Summer is crazy busy.  I find myself blogging in Spring and then Fall for this reason.  Summer sure did fly by us.  The is was the wettest, hottest, coolest summer ever.  We had very few irrigation days but many "drainage" days.  Where we had to ditch the fields to flow the rainwater away from the fields.
Farmer's Markets are starting to wind down and corn maze reservations coming in pretty much daily now.
A few pics from fall last 2012......

Gourds and Mums everywhere !!!

The pumpkin field 

                                                          Decisions, Decisions !!!!!

Spring has Sprung !!!!

Spring weather has us excited here at the farm.  With new farmer's markets  and extending hours for our Porch Market we are gearing up for a super planting!!!  We are doubling the amount of tomatoes and cucumbers since we often run out of those.  Many other items are increasing as well!!!

Last year we added to the strawberry field so we hope everyone is ready to purchase our harvest !!!

We planted tomatoes in our greenhouse last month and they look great.  Nice and big.....if we can get good pollination on them we should have tomatoes in June!!!

Our farmer's Markets in Philadelphia are listed on our web site http://themccannsfarm.com/pages/Wherecanyoubuyourproduce.php most will start in late May.

Babies at the Farm !!!!

Every winter in the hum drum of the cold and wet there is one highlight...........BABIES !!!

Goats and sheep usually have their babies January through March.

This year we had a tragic birth.....a new goat died in birth.

But we recently had 2 lambs and a goat !!!

The sadness of the animals we loose serves as a reminder of how precious life is for everyone and that we need to hold our love ones closer.

Celebrate with us our new babies...................no names yet !!!

Farm Events September/ October 2012

9/30..........Farm Equipment Day......1 till 3 pm.....Is your little one facinated by farm equipment?  Come to the farm we have the big tractors in the back feild so little guys can get a good look.

10/06.........."Philly to Farm Day".........10 am till 3 pm.......We pack up our farm goodies each week and take them to our Philadelphia customers....we have reserved this day for them to visit us.  

Come see the farm.  Light refreshments will be served.

10/07............Scavenger Hunt.........1 till 3 pm......Take a walk around the farm and find the items listed.  Prize for those who find them all.

10/13..........Simmons School Fall Fundraiser...........2 till 6 pm......A portion of all wagon rides for this day will be donated to the Simmons Elementary School in Clayton

Starting September 29

Fall Wagon Rides to the Corn maze and Pumpkin Pactch...$7.50 per person includes your pumpkin.  

Wagon rides hours Sat...10 am, noon, 2 pm, 4 pm & 6pm

Sunday noon, 2 pm, 4 pm & 6 pm

More Info www.themccannsfarm.com

Mums the word !!!

We have planted 1000 mums this year and they are just starting to bloom.  All summer while we watered and cared for them we asked our selves...WHY ???    Now we remember why...the yellow and rust mums are blooming first ....we are waiting to see reds and orange.  Stop by the farm and enjoy them with us !!!

Mock Crab Cakes
2 1/2 c. zucchini, peeled and grated
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp. melted butter
1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp. prepared mustard
1 1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs
1 sm. onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs
1 tbsp. mayonnaise (optional)
Mix all well. Shape into patties as for (real crab cakes) If mixture is too soft add more bread crumbs. Roll in bread crumbs. Fry until golden brown or bake in high (500 degree oven) on an oiled cookie sheet.

Is it HOT Enough For Ya ???

Yes we get asked it all the time.  Do they really think we will say "no at 100 degrees I would love a little hotter !!! "

After working outside for so long you do get "used" to the heat...not that you like it.  But it becomes tolerable.  When you work inside all day if you come out into 100 degrees it is not tolerable.  

In the same sense last week I had to spend the day in an air conditioned building.........it was TOO COLD!!!

So lets all pray for a good few weeks of 80 degrees !!!! 

The Drive to the City

Each week we pack up our wonderful pickings and drive it to the city.  We have met many wonderful people and even made lots of friends.  The drive to get there is never uneventful.
From last years tire blow out on Rt 676 to the reconstruction in China Town it has been very eventful, but this year the things we have seen on the Schuykill Expressway have been the most memorable.
Excluding all the dangers....like motorcycles flying up the shoulder at high rates of speed with unhelmeted drivers,  phone talkers and texters, and the ever loving make up artists.

A few weeks ago Nancy and Jess took a picture of a truck towing a trailer with a small pool.

But today while we were in stand still traffic with a small SUV next to us we saw it all ..........everyone in the vehicle had on a mask.  At first we were a little afraid but then realizing we were right at the on ramp from the zoo our hearts settled to realize that a "cheetah" was driving, a "panda" was front seat passenger and what we think was a "tiger" was in the back seat.  Go figure !!!!

Farm Events June & July 2012

June 24.....................1 pm...........Bunny Day Repeat.......Everyone loved Bunny Day so much in May we are doing another one this month.  The baby bunnies are all getting big and ready to be on their own.  We have another bunny expecting so maybe if we are lucky we will have new little ones to cuddle!!! 

July 1............1 pm ...........Scavenger Hunt...........Stop by the farm stand to get a list of fun nature items to find around the farm.  Prizes for all who bring back all items !!!!

July 8 ...............1 pm..........Corn maze preview...........it is bigger and better than ever.  Come today and get an early look at the maze as we are just creating it.

July 15...............1 pm.........NJ Tomato Tasting..........They are well known to taste the best.  Stop by the farm see where they grow and get a taste.

July 22..........1 pm .......Get your Goat Day..........Many of the animals from the farm will attend the Gloucester County 4 H Fair.  Come by the farm and see the Gloucester County 4H goat Club prepare the goats for the fair.

There will be no events or farm walk the week end of July 28 & 29...we will all be at the Gloucester county 4H Fair!!!!

Farm Events....................

Yes we will again this year feature an event each Sunday afternoon for you and your children.  Schedule for May:

5/20……1 pm…..Baby Bunny Day !!!!......Carmella our red mini rex bunny gave birth to 5 babies.  Come to the farm to learn more about how to care for bunnies and get to hold one of the babies

5/27……1 pm……..Farm Tour………..take a walk with a member of the McCann family to see all of the fields as we are preparing and planting.

Each Saturday at 5………….Farm Walk………..take a walk we will look at upcoming crops, talk about nature & farming, catch a glimpse of wildlife.

Planting Your Own Garden

Do you plant your own garden each year? Are you thinking about starting a garden this year? The McCann’s offer seedlings of the crops we plant for sale each April. If you love our tomatoes and want to grow them yourself……check out the farm stand in April for all of your favorites.

Gardening tip for this issue……….Mulch the ground. At the farm we use manure and leaves that we get from the local municipalities. If you cannot get these….visit your local garden center or DYI store for bagged manure and peat moss. They will work just as well. By now you should have your peas planted and soon start planting spring lettuce, cabbage and broccoli seedlings

Easter Time !!!!

Farm will be open on 3/31 from 9 am till 6 pm and Sunday 4/1 from noon till 5 pm for Wagon Rides to hunt Easter Eggs

Easter's on Its Way !!!

Farm opens Friday 3/30 for Easter Egg Hunts, Wagon Rides, Visiting the animals. See the Easter Bunny....be sure to bring your camera.

‎"BOB".......Bag of the Best

We pack a bag of all the best each week. For $40 per month ($10 per week) we will pack you a bag of produce worth no less than $10.

Bags can be picked up at any market or we can start a drop off point in your area. Call or email the farm to arrange a drop off spot for your neighborhood.

McCann's Farm E Newsletter February 2012

		The McCann’s Farm
February 27, 2012	Volume 1, Number 1
“You, as a food buyer, have the distinct privilege of proactively participating in shaping the world your children will inherit.” ― Joel Salatin, Holy Cows and Hog Heaven: The Food Buyer's Guide to Farm Friendly Food		Wintering over Though we are not complaining about the warm weather the farm could really use some colder weather. A good freeze of the ground helps kill bacteria and pests each winter. This makes a longer period of time when pest and fungicide control are not needed. All is not lost though…………..here at The McCann’s Farm we use lots of leaf mulch which can also help us control bacteria that can live in the soil. The new leaf mulch each year places a barrier between the soil and the plant. Of course as the mulch breaks down we have to reapply. It would be so much easier to just have mother nature freeze the ground for us!!!! Seed Selections Are you a home gardener? Looking for great seeds. I know here at the farm the seed catalogs are perused for weeks. We love looking at the older varieties coming back into fashion and reading the latest and greatest farming techniques. A few of our favorite seed websites are www.harrisseeds.com www.totallytomatoes.com www.seedsavers.org Winter Recipes Ingredients · 1 bunch kale · 1 tablespoon olive oil · 1 teaspoon seasoned salt Directions 1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper. 2. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt. 3. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.
The McCann’s Farm 1065 Aura Rd. Elk Township, NJ 8343 (856)881-7775 themccannsfarm@gmail.com We’re on the Web! www.themccannsfarm.com Find us on	Easter at the Farm As children the McCann family has always enjoyed a great Easter Egg hunt. This year you and your family can join us!!! We will open on the week end before Easter for wagon ride visits of the farm. Ride includes rides past Calvary and the Empty Tomb, hunt eggs in the field, visit our barnyard animals. The spring goats and bunnies will be just the right size for little visitors. Open for Easter Egg Hunts : 3/30, 3/31, 4/1, 4/5, 4/6, 4/7 Seedlings We will have seedlings for sale beginning late April. You can plant the same varieties of vegetables you enjoy purchasing form us. The greenhouse is great with activity this time of year. New for 2012 As you probably know we grow LOTS of varieties of hot peppers. This year we will include 2 new varieties: Mushroom pepper and balloon pepper. Both are in the mild category. We have also added Delicata Squash, White Eggplant and “Grandma’s Pick” heirloom tomato