Castlefarm Shop Newsletter
4-Apr-2011
Castlefarm Newsletter, April 11
Castlefarm Shop newsletter April 2011
Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie to receive this newsletter by email
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Opening days and what you can do on the farm for free this April
Farm Shop open10am-6pm Fri 29th & Sat 30th April
Saturday 30th (no charge for activities)11am (sharp) meet the calves & help feed the pigs
2.30 (sharp) egg collecting
3pm Gardening talk ‘Seeding and planting’
For farm activities PLEASE ARRIVE 5 MINUTES BEFORE TIME....THE FARM CHORES REALLY DO NEED TO BE DONE AND IF YOU ARE LATE YOU MAY MISS OUT ON THE FUN!
REMEMBER WEAR WELLINGTONS AND WARM, WATERPROOF CLOTHES
Easter trail at Castlefarm 23rd April
This Easter Castlefarm invites families to follow a farm Easter trail and meet some of the farm’s baby animals. The eggsciting Easter trail will take place on Saturday 23rd of April from 12pm-2pm. Each child who follows the clues around the farm trail will receive a chocolate Easter egg. The price is €5 per child and places should be booked in advance. Please contact Michelle Hourihan (tours@castlefarmshop.ie or 086-3736402) or email me and i will forward your details to Michelle.
Whats happening on the farm
Most of our cows have calved with less than 20 expectant mothers waiting to calve down. Most of the calves being born now are Angus. Our milking cows are now outside day and night enjoying the little bit of spring grass that has at last started to grow! Our baby hens have grown steadily and will soon move from chick crumb to growers pellets. They are due to start laying in August or September. Our poultry talk last month was really well attended and we will have another one in early summer.
In the garden we are planting beetroot, carrots, spinach, parsnips, rocket and turnips. We will plant our vegetables in stages. This way we won’t have everything coming ready to harvest at once. It also means that if there is a heavy frost we will not lose the whole crop.
Our pigs are thriving but it looks like our plans to butcher one in April might have to be delayed to May.
If you would like to help feed our three growing pigs you are welcome at 11am on Saturday 30th April.
Now is the time to put your name down for August organic Aberdeen Angus beef boxes Certified organic Aberdeen Angus
Meat hung for 21 days to optimise on flavour and tenderness
€12/kg for a box of mixed cuts (steaks, roasts, stewing beef and mince)
Extremely good value for great quality product
Boxes range from 12-16kg
As usual the boxes will include 6-8 steaks, roasts, stewing beef and good quality mince. Cost per kg is €12 and box sizes range from 12 to 16kg. Our beef is hung for 21 days and butchered in Murphy’s Craft Butchers Tullow.
Please let us know if you would like to put your name down on our beef list.
Book organic pork for May
Sorry to disappoint or organic pork fans but piggy isn’t quite fit for the butchers yet. We have decided he needs another month fattening. Therefore our next organic pork will be available in May. Anyone interested in same should let me know and i can put their name down (No deposit required). Not entirely sure of prices yet but will let you know nearer the time.
Castlefarm organic rhubarb in season
Our tender organic rhubarb is in season.
April opening days and free activities
We are open Friday and Saturday 29th and 30th April from 10-6pm. On Saturday 30th we have a seeding and planting talk at 3pm. Customers are also welcome to join us calf feeding at 11am and egg collecting at 2.30pm. Our special in April is our organic pork.
Grow your own on Castlefarm allotments
We have a couple of plots left to rent. PS prices are the same as last year starting at €125 for a starter plot, €200 double plot and €250 treble plot.
Castlefarm School tours brings food production and farming to life
At a time when many children do not understand where their food comes from Castlefarm is opening its farm gates to school tours, allowing children to visit a real dairy, meet calves, pigs and hens and even plant their own seeds to bring home and nurture.
According to Castlefarm tours and education manager Michelle Hourihan, “Castlefarm School tours ticks all the boxes for children as well as their teachers. Our school tours are fun, educational, healthy and extremely good value. School tours are tailor made to fit the needs of individual groups needs and a price freeze over the past 2 years means extra value to parents.”
Teachers and parents who would more information about visiting this real farm can contact Michelle Hourihan on 086 3736402 or email tours@castlefarmshop.ie.
To receive our newsletter and news of new products by email please contact Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Telephone 059-8636948, jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, www.castlefarmshop.ie