Castlefarm Shop Newsletter
25-May-2009
Castlefarm Bloom Newslettter, 09
Castlefarm Shop Bloom newsletter 09 Stand FM 37
Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie to receive this newsletter by email
What is Castlefarm
Castlefarm is a 170 acre organic farm run by Peter and Jenny Young. We are a real farm, which produces real food and also takes time to educate other people about organic farming and the countryside. We also have a farm shop which we open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We rent out allotment sites on our farm where people grow their own organic vegetables. We also hold regular farm walks, courses, producer talks and cookery demonstrations.
We think it is important that people do not lose their links to the countryside and recently were delighted to employ our neighbour Michelle Hourihan as our education and tours manager. From churning milk, to collecting eggs and identifying trees in our foraging hedge Michelle has already welcomed lots of children onto our farm this spring to learn about our ‘real farm’.
What is produced at Castlefarm ?
At Castlefarm we milk a herd of about 70 Jersey/British Friesian dairy cows. We also have our own cheeses called Castlefarm Natural and Castlefarm Shamrock. These are made with the help of local cheesemaker Elizabeth Bradley.
We grow organic cereals – mainly to feed to our cows and poultry.
We have about 180 free range organic hens working to produce the best eggs in Kildare.
We also have a large organic garden in which we grow lots of vegetables, which we sell direct through our farm shop. Jenny also makes seasonal chutneys, salad dressings and preserves.
Our newest enterprise is fattening organic Angus heifers for sale through a freezer box scheme.
Where is Castlefarm?
We are located an hour from Dublin just off the N78 and N9 roads. Our farm is just outside the small village of Narraghmore, half way between Athy and Kilcullen. Map and address at end of newsletter.
Special invitation to a tour of our farm and our picnic in the park! (no charge)
If you are not doing anything in two weeks time (Sunday 14th June) why not join us at midday on a free tour of our farm. This will give people a chance to explore our farm and meet our animals. We will even allow you to collect your own eggs! Afterwards we invite you to our picnic in the park. We will provide the park field, some bales and some ideas for traditional, fun family games and all you need to do is bring your wellingtons, your picnic and the weather.
Castlefarm summer diary (continued overleaf)
Although this is by no means our full diary here are some of the events we are hosting this summer! To make sure we keep you up to date (and email you our monthly newsletter) just sign up here or email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie requesting to be put on our email database
- Saturday 13th June 1-4pm. A beginner’s guide to keeping poultry. Jenny will take people through the basics of preparing for and keeping hens for eggs. This will be a relaxed, informal class and will allow you to meet the Castlefarm hens. Cost €40 per person. Children under 15 €30.
- Sunday 14th June 12pm Free farm walk and picnic in the park. This will give people a chance to explore our farm and meet our animals. We will even allow you to collect your own eggs! Afterwards we will open our field ‘the park field’ for you to bring your own picnic baskets and picnic in the park! We will provide some bales to sit on, some ideas for fun games and hopefully a little bit of sun.
- Saturday 20th June 11-2pm. How to set up allotments. Jenny and Peter will pass on the information and lessons they have learnt through setting up and renting out over 30 allotment plots. This course will give community groups as well as private landowners the tools and advice needed to set up and maintain allotment sites. The cost is €80 per person and places must be booked in advance!
- Sunday 28th June. 11am. Farmer for a morning at Castlefarm. Children are invited to lend a hand on the farm. This will include collecting eggs, shutting out the cows, harvesting some vegetables and other seasonal jobs. PS accompanying adults (no charge) normally get just as much of a buzz on these tours. Cost €10 per child (to include ½ dozen of collected eggs)
- 6th-10th July. Castlefarm Summer Camp. Five days of animals, gardening, fun and games. Of course lots of learning too! Remember real farm real fun!
- Saturday 25th of July. 11am. Farmer for a morning at Castlefarm – as above.
- Friday 28th August. 2pm. Teagasc/Department of Agriculture Farm Walk. This will focus on farm diversification.
- Saturday and Sunday 29th August. Harvest Fair. Come and spend the day at a very special farmers’ market on our farm. Allotment holders will set up stall to sell their excess fruit and vegetables, tours will be given, children’s fun and activities will take place as well as talks and demonstrations– details will be in the July Castlefarm Newsletter.
- Also in August Cob pizza building course...dates to be confirmed in July newsletter also
- Castlefarm celebrates National Organic Week 14-20 September...again see newsletter for more details!
Castlefarm Organic Angus beef
This autumn we will be selling nine organic angus heifers through our freezer box scheme. These boxes will include steaks, roasts, stewing beef and mince. We are currently compiling a ‘beef list’ so please let us know if you would like to be included in same. Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie
Castlefarm School Tours
We hope that teachers, wanting to give their pupils a real farm experience involving lots of adventure and learning will consider bringing their class on a trip to our farm. If you would like information about our school tours please contact Michelle Hourihan with details on tours@castlefarmshop.ie, 086-3736402.
Of course we welcome groups of all ages and interests onto our farm. If you did not take one of the surveys on today’s stand we can email it to you and you may win a free school tour worth up to €500 for your school!
Castlefarm Allotments
We are inviting people to share our passion for the land and organic to rent out certified organic allotment plots on our farm. Licences run for a year from the date that you sign a contract to us. Taking a plot with us is much more than renting a piece of land it is about community spirit, fun and education. We also offer growing courses. We rent out all sizes of plots and provide backup and support to our allotment holders. Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie or call 087-6785269 before 6pm for more information.
Indian potatoes topped with Castlefarm Shamrock and Castlefarm organic egg
Ingredients
4 golden wonder potatoes,1 large onion, 4 oz Castlefarm Shamrock, 2 Castlefarm organic eggs
½ teaspoon of black mustard seeds, ½ teaspoon of chilli flakes, ½ teaspoon Garam masala powder, curry leaves
Instructions
Boil and mash the potatoes. In some olive oil fry the onion until soft and translucent. Keep this warm in the oven. Meanwhile fry the black mustard seeds in olive oil until they start to pop, add the chilli and garam masala and curry leaves and mix. Then add the potato and mix again. Top with the onion and then add slivers of Castlefarm Shamrock. Put the frying pan into the top of the oven so the cheese melts. After about 5 minutes add the eggs on top and cook for between 4 and 8 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs. Serve immediately.
Opening hours Friday and Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 12-5pm
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Contact Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Telephone 059-8636948, jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, www.castlefarmshop.ie