MICHIGAN WINTER 2012

We’re in the swing of the season which is to survive the winter with a grateful heart. We have everything we need; food, clothing, health and each other.
Let’s not leave our grateful hearts back with the “Holidays” but rather hold tightly so we don’t get bogged down with what some have experienced as the “winter blahs” or “cabin fever”. The year’s just beginning! Take care not to wish it away.

F or now, Beau Jon (21) and Celeste (15) continue to diligently milk our cows morning and evening in any kind of weather. Hosanna (17) is a good support especially on the homefront. Both the girls like it in the kitchen and try to keep up their culinary creations with all the healthy, winter appetites. It takes good “fuel” for the energy to keep warm enough outside on cold days. Corbett (13) is growing in experience as he is practicing shepherding the lambs daily with his dad.
I t’s a busy all around time for Tim. His “dad time” included some serious time hunting with each of the kids this past season. Destiny Jubilee (9), was found to be a gifted hunter with “eyes in the back of his head” and able to prompt his dad when a deer was closing in. They were able to fill our freezer for the winter.
We’ve often teased in our family how Destiny never gets a cold since he doesn’t stop long enough for the germs to catch him. He sat AMAZINGLY STILL in the woods however. We are expecting great things for him this year.

E veryone keeps a watchful eye out for new calves since we are expecting at least one and sometimes two each month now through spring. Destiny should prove helpful here.

W e are often asked what we do all winter. HA! We certainly stay busy enough. This is definitely the time for catching up on paperwork and the kids on their studies. We are hearing more piano and violin these days also as the kids take time to practice. There is even time to sometimes enjoy a buttery bowl of popcorn together and to turn on a good DVD (not always an easy thing to find). We’re pretty selective but are always open to suggested titles.

Thank you for taking time to read through our family farm news and happenings. Do keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events, conferences and workshops. We'd love to have you visit us.

W e so enjoy all the enthusiastic reviews coming back to us regarding our farm products. We currently have a good supply of our 100% GRASS FED BEEF & LAMB,
as well as all of our PORK cuts; including all 3 varieties of BACON (Sliced, Cottage & Canadian) and Sausages (Breakfast & Italian/ bulk, links or patties).

NO MSG or Nitrates are added to any of our meats.
MMmmmm…. Scrumptious!!

Don't forget the Farm Fresh Brown eggs...Eggs...EGGS!!!

We had a talk with "the girls" and let them know we were considering our market for "Stewing Hens" if they were not going to lay anymore eggs. All that to say...
"Eggs are in plentiful supply." So, come & get 'em!!!
$3.50 per dozen.


O ur 90% lean GROUND BEEF comes in quantities anywhere from 1 lb to 25 lb lots and in 1 & 2 lb packages.
Our SMOKED ALL BEEF SAUSAGE is available in 3 popular styles:
(Viennas, Polish & Summer Sausage).

Turtlebee and Honeytree Farms’ has 2 Locations:

• The Main Farm – 3415 E. Cohoctah Rd. Howell, MI 48855
  
• Turtlebee – 12258 Lovejoy Rd. Byron, MI 48418

Please direct all "Snail-Mail" correspondence to our Turtlebee address.
We kindly ask that you call or email ahead for the best day & location to find us as we have no set hours;

We are filling orders 6 days a week. PLEASE CALL AHEAD.
No Sundays, please.

1. HIVES & HONEY BEES
   For those ordering bees who know what they need, please place your orders early to avoid the last minute rush or possible unavailability.
   
   For those interested in getting started in beekeeping, we will have our Beekeeping 101 workshops the last Saturday of February & March.
   
   We also have our full scale Beekeeping Classes & Field Trips upcoming in June. See website calendar for dates and links.
   
   
2. GIFT CERTIFICATES
   For any and all Turtlebee Farm products food or otherwise.
   Available in any amount or specific gift (e.g. bees, pollination for the spring).
   We’ve had someone give the gift of a tractor bucket load of compost for his mom for Mother’s Day for her garden.
   It was completely practical and just what she’d asked for. Hmm…why not start the season off right? We suggest asking first. ;)
   
   
3. Our RENEWABLE FARM SHARES (RFS) grow as we continue to offer our farm products and services at a savings to those who invest and enjoy our farm fresh, naturally produced foods. Please inquire for more details or find them on our ‘Quality Meat’ tab (pp 4-6). You’re going to want to hear more about how you can receive natural products from the farm through the ‘RFS’ program. It works for you and for us!



4. OPEN HOUSES, FARM TOURS, and WORKSHOPS
   This year, once again, at the Main Farm we will be offering Beekeeping 101. See our website calendar for the days and times. Click the links for details.
   
   
5. HONEY (Raw & Unfiltered)
   Keep the honey orders coming. It is our continued goal to fill as many orders as possible and in a timely fashion.
   We will continue to offer a 15% discount off the shelf price when filling your own containers or honey refills.
   Please call ahead to see which farm location to come to.
   
   Remember . . . Local Honey is BEST for Allergies & Asthma.
   It really works! Chew Honeycomb for allergy relief!!


You can look up “Folk Medicine” by DC Jarvis, MD for more information on the uses of honey. It’s easy & informative regarding allergies and locally produced, raw honey.


6. 100% PURE BEESWAX CANDLES
   Another NATURAL way to combat allergies and asthma is to burn 100% Pure Beeswax Candles in the bedroom 3 hours before going to sleep for the night. Even allergists are giving viability to beeswax candles bringing those suffering with asthma out of their severe asthmatic conditions.
   Paraffin candles are made from a petroleum base, filled with ingredients and chemicals which can cause smoke damage as well as difficult breathing due to high carbon emissions.
   
   Our 100% Pure Beeswax Candles contain NO artificial ingredients, chemicals, or paraffin. Pure beeswax candles, with their delightfully sweet fragrance, burn hotter, brighter, and longer than other wax without additives; they are smokeless and, for the most part, drip less. Beeswax is known to produce negative ions (nature's air purifiers), cleaning the air of pollens, dust, mold, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants. These are the ONLY candles for anyone with chemical sensitivities or allergies.
   We are pleased to be able to say that we make all of our own beeswax candles right here at Turtlebee Farms and have for a number of years. We strive high for INTEGRITY & PURITY.
   We pour solid candles in naturals, greens & reds as well as wrap honeycomb sheet candles in an array of styles and colors. They all burn wonderfully!!
   • SOLID CANDLES Burn Time: 10 hrs/inch
   • 3”x 2 1/2” Bee Pillars @ $ 6.50
   • 3”x 3 1/2” Pillars @ $ 9.00
   • 3”x 4 1/2” Pillars @ $10.00
   • 1 3/4”x 5” Sq Scored Pillar @ $ 7.00
   • 6” Corn Candle @ $7.50
   • Pears, Apples & Oranges @ $5.50 ea or 2/$10.00
   • 10” Tapers with hand-fluted base Burn Time: 1 hr/inch
   
   Colonial and Elegant Hex $4.50 ea or 2/$8.00
   (Diameter x Height)
   
   
   
   
7. QUALITY MEATS
   We have a good supply of BEEF and PORK Now is the time to put down your deposit for sides of pork and beef quarters which will be available mid-December. If you know there is a particular CUT of meat or particular QUANTITY you’d like, please call ahead to order it.
   Please see our ‘Quality Meats’ tab for a detailed list.
   Supplies are plentiful but procrastination is not advised.
   Stock up your own freezers at this time to ensure your own supply.
   1lb to 25 lb lots of Ground Beef are available in 1 lb & 2 lb tube-style packaging at $4.25 to $4.75/lb.
   
   
8. BEEF, PORK and LAMB ‘SAMPLER BUNDLES’
   Bundles from $50.00-$100.00 ~ designed to save you time & dollars!!

Please inquire or see our ‘Quality Meat’ Tab.


9. CHICKEN & TURKEY
   Chickens were a complete sell out for the months of June, September & November along with our Thanksgiving Turkeys. We are hearing back that they are “Amazing”, to which we say, “It takes a good cook as well as great food to make an ‘amazing’ meal!” We will be taking deposits for this next season upcoming.
   We do still have a good supply of Chicken Giblets & Chicken Feet for those who know the food value of broth as a nutrient dense food.
   Check it out for yourself...
   www.nourishedkitchen.com/chicken-feet-stock
   Available at Turtlebee Farms @ $2.75/lb.
   
   
10. HONEYSTICK FLAVOR… CHOCOLATE!!!
    Looking for that ‘Special Something’??
    Something different & unique for~
    
    • Table Favors
    • Hostess Gift
    • or Incentives???
    • 0.35 each
    • 10ct/$3.00
    • 25ct/$7.00
    • 50ct/$13.00
    
    Mix & Match as you like & Have Fun with ‘em!


11. EXTRACTING EQUIPMENT
    Hand Extractors ($236.00) & Electric Extractors w/stands (Inquire).
    Electric Hot Knives ($92.00) & Cold Uncapping Knives ($30.00)
    Uncapping tanks ($120.00)
    Straining Pail Systems
    5 Gallon Valve Pails
    
    Honey Containers from 2 oz bears to 2 gallon pails available for purchase.
    
    Extracting Equipment Rental available for $35.00 & $45.00 / 3 days.
    
    “Service with a Smile” Not sure you want to do the extracting yourself or unable to find the time?? No problem!
    Extracted while you wait. We’ll extract your honey for you!
    $2.00/frame.
    
    Please Inquire on any of these options.
    We can help! (810) 266-4880
    
    
12. SERVICE
    Pollination contracts are available and also the removal of unwanted bees.
    
    
13. COMPOST:
    We are continuing to load Excellent, 100% Pure Farm Compost;
    Very Clean; Rich in organic matter for amending poor soils;
    $5.75 by the bag or $10.00 a tractor bucket! Generally, a pick up truck holds 2 buckets. Make your preparations for next year as well.



14. WANTED: Recyclable
    
    • Clean Egg Cartons
    • Canning-type Jars.
    • Bee Swarm Cages

Thanks to all of you for practicing your resourcefulness with us and thanks for all the GREAT support to recycle!!

If you change your email, please let us know and do add us to your ‘whitelist’ as well.

To every season there is a purpose... Even Winter.
Stay warm!
Tim & Kathie Bennett & Family
Psalm 119:103
www.turtlebeefarms.com

Revised 2/1/2012