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Chicken available in 2015 at CCFM!

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Freedom Ranger; Source: http://www.soliphiliafarm.com/

Freedom Ranger; Source: http://www.soliphiliafarm.com/

Our first batch of broiler chicks have arrived! We’ll be offering Freedom Rangers (a breed especially suited to thriving on pasture) in June of this year. Pastured-raised chicken IS a bit different than what you’ll find at the grocery store:

-Pasture-raised birds take longer to reach their market weight, which means they have more time to develop amino acids and antioxidant nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, “conjugated linolaic acids”, and high ratios of Vitamin E. This also means the ratio of dark meat to white meat may be higher in pasture-raised poultry, but it makes it tastier!
-They will be raised in moveable pens so that they are protected from the elements and multitude of predators that prowl our farm, but will be moved everyday so that they always have access to fresh grass and insects.
-We’ll be processing on site, so we’ll be offering mostly whole birds, and some half birds, rather than pieces. There are SO MANY options for how to prepare whole birds, however, and we’ll be posting some of our favorites leading up to when we’ll have poultry available.

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One of our moveable chicken pens: partially covered for shade, partially open for plenty of fresh air and sunlight.

Would you like to put our name down for a pasture raised chicken? Fill out the form below, and we’ll contact you at the time of availability. We’ll have chicken available at different times between June and October, and will provide more opportunities for you to reserve a bird before each processing time.

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2015 at Capon Crossing Farm

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This is a BIG year at Capon Crossing Farm. Since opening in July 2010, our grass fed beef operation, farm market, and Bluegrass in the Barn concerts have thrived; our family has expanded with marriages and children; our historic barn has been renovated; and the direction of our farm continues to shift and grow.

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Our specialty: GRASS FED BEEF

This year, we will be expanding our offerings to include:

-Pastured-raised chicken: We’ve been constructing chicken tractors so that we can raise Freedom Rangers (at least to start) in the same pastures as our cattle. They’ll be raised out in open-air and sunshine and be moved everyday so that they have fresh grass and bugs. In 2014, we raised one batch just for our families on the farm, and knew that we needed to offer this delicious option to our customers. Stayed tuned for dates! We’ll give you the opportunity to reserve a whole or half chicken in advance.

The chickens get curious...

The chickens get curious…

-Barn Rental: If you’ve been to our barn, and especially our bluegrass concerts, you know how much fun it is to dance on our large, open floor in the barn, wander around our gardens, and watch the sun go down behind the mountains. After hosting two weddings on our farm in 2014, we’re ready to give you the chance to rent our barn as well! Get in touch with us at caponcrossing@gmail.com and let us know if you would like to meet and tour our barn to see if it will work as a venue for your wedding, rehearsal dinner, or any other event.

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-Lamb: We’re starting a flock of Katahdhins! We’ve got three ewes so far (our future matriarchs) and will be having some babies here in the spring. Stayed tuned for some photos and more information!

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Our girls: Gloria, Rosa, and Beulah

-Our own honey: We’re learning how to keep bees! Our community unfortunately lost an amazing, incredibly knowledgable man in Arnold Ryan this past fall. He was our bee expert and kept bees on our farm. Whenever he processed honey for us, he could tell us exactly what flowers the bees had favored to make the batch. He is sorely missed. But Elli has taken over one hive and will make a go at producing honey for our market.

-A wider selection and variety of vegetables: Those of you who have visited us in the past know that if you get to chatting with Michelle during the spring, summer, or fall, she will jump at the opportunity to show you what is growing in her garden and pick whatever you’d like. This year, you can stop by anytime during the week and have Michelle help you pick your own again, but on the weekends we will offer a LARGER selection of your favorite, fresh summer vegetables. (Hopefully some cool stuff, too, like ground cherries, wonderberries, tomatillos, and a multitude of other heirloom/open-pollinated varieties.)

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And OF COURSE, be sure to mark your calendars and keep joining us for our AWESOME Bluegrass shows, once a month. Next one is February 21st!

bluegrass calendar

Stop by and see us in 2015! We’re open NOW, selling our grass fed beef, fresh eggs, and canned goods. And keep on eye on us to see what we’re up to.

Be on the look-out for our missing dog

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Just on the off chance that any locals might look at this…
Liza’s dog Tess has been missing for almost two days now. She has never wandered off before, and after we realized she was missing we found her name tag in the yard (it seems it fell off her collar).
Tess is a Border-Collie/ Chesapeake Bay Retriever cross. She has a short coat, mostly black with a brown undercoat. She has brown “eyebrow” markings, brown cheeks and legs, and a white chin, chest, and feet. She is a medium-sized, skinny dog, very friendly, and she is wearing a bright purple collar with a rabies tag still attached. We think she followed another one of our dogs around the farm and maybe got lost or picked up by someone who thought she was lost. It is unlike her to wander, and we are concerned that without her tags someone might not know what to do with her. If you see this dog or know anyone who has found a dog, PLEASE contact (304) 874-3462 or (540) 636-8829. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!