North East Scotland Finest Food


January Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
Sliding into the New Year on warm winds and promises of spring was a radical and welcome change from recent changeovers. The stock and I have appreciated it. As trailed in earlier emails, the changes we are making to the business start to kick in from next month. This month will be the last for the present that we have fresh pork available. It is a sad day to be writing that but, under the pressures shared before, something has to give and, speaking selfishly, I would rather it wasn't me. So this month we have the normal range of fresh pork and fresh hogget/lamb, Hugh Grierson chickens, roe venison and a limited selection of frozen beef. Next month we are going to be offering discounted frozen product only, as an aid to tidying up stock that has been frozen in recent months so that we then have room to store down the meat from the few remaining pigs to keep you supplied with bacon and pies on a monthly basis. It will also give us a little more time to implement various necessary changes to our admin systems. The frozen product will be available on first come first served basis for delivery or collection. Looking forward, we will re-start fresh meat open days in March with Beltie beef and Hebridean lamb and hogget. We will also be changing our long established selling day from the last full week of the month to the third week/Saturday of the month. This is being done so that we are always open and selling from the farm the same week as Banchory Farmers market so that we have a good range of product available for the market. It will also we improve the efficiency of sending away stock and butchery and allow collection of orders from the market. We will also be stopping Alford Farmers market, with the last one we attend being this month. Without the pork but re-focussing on our direct sales, we also plan to increase the range and frequency of occasional additions to the product list, such as game, guest pork, etc. with the intent that some variety might spice up all our culinary lives and expand our collective foodie experience. If anyone has suggestions for products they would like to see featured please do speak up. Don't be shy. But for now, we are open this month on Thursday 26th, Friday 27th & Saturday 28th from 10:00am – 4:30pm each day at the farm and will be making deliveries on the Thursday to Alford, Inverurie, and upper Deeside and Aberdeen and Banchory on Friday. An up to date booking form is attached should you wish to place an order. We shall also be at Banchory Farmers market this Saturday from 9:00am – 1:00pm and Alford market Saturday 28th, same times.
November Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
Crossing everything seems to have worked so far. While there is some discontent with this grey and muddy world there is it is preferable to white. Here's hoping this is not a spoke too soon. It's been good to have an open autumn and having not had cereal crops to harvest this year we have had quite a good run despite the sogginess of the season. It's been a sheep day today, sorting through, separating and moving our ewes for the tup going in with them. And it's hogget hotpot for dinner. With the grass staying fresh over recent weeks the ewes are in good condition and certainly the tups responses when they were introduced to their allocated groups suggested that it was all systems go in the fecund department. We are planning to lamb a couple of weeks earlier next year, so keeping fingers crossed we will hope that summer will be in April again next year. It was great to get such a range of feedback to last months email about our future direction with the business here. If we have not replied to you directly about your response, this is for you. Thank you. We do appreciate all the time and thought that was put into your responses, and any late or continuing thoughts are still very welcome. We are making some progress with planning and budgeting for the next 12 months and should be able to conform the shape of things to come in our December newsletter. Talking of which, we have added onto our product list this month a few of the more seasonal products, gammons, goose fat, turkey (from Maryfield Farm) and pancetta so that if you would like to book ahead and reserve what you would like for next month, please dive in. Similarly, if you have any particular lumps of meat in mind for Christmas consumption, please do order as soon as you can so that we can allocate what we have available. But for this month, the open days are Thursday 24th, Friday 25th and Saturday 26th November from 10:00am - 4:00pm each day at the farm with orders going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on the Thursday and on the Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. This month we have some very fine looking Belted Galloway Beef along with the Oxford, Sandy & Black pork and Hebridean lamb/hogget. As a seasonal change we also have a batch of pheasants from a local Deeside Estate this month too which are available as oven ready birds or as packs of skinless breasts. We also have the usual Hugh Griersons Organic chickens. An up to date order form is attached should you wish to place an order.
Angus Farmers Market November 2011
Remember remember the 5th of November as the stallholders from the Angus Farmers Market set up in the High Street, Montrose for their monthly visit to the town. This week lovers of the good old British banger have been celebrating British sausage week. Various specials will be running at the meat stalls including Borland Highland Beef introducing a new spicy sausage. Tom from Puddledub Pork will have a great selection of pork sausages, hams and pork joints succulent and tasty. You can’t have a banger without the mash and local potatoes fresh from the ground will be another firm favourite on market day. The finishing touch to your meal and the perfect partner for the good old sausage is Devilish Tomato Chutney from the award winning Isabellas Preserves, recipes using these delicious condiments can be found at the stall. Especially for bonfire night Irene from Storm cakes and sweets will have delicious bonfire cupcakes and gingerbread biscuits perfect with a cuppa or a mulled wine to keep the chill out. A treat for the kids comes in the shape of “Horror pops” themed lollipops made only with natural ingredients and flavours. The market not only brings fresh locally produced food to the centre of our communities but it also is the perfect showcase for local crafters. A regular stallholder is Lynne Firth from Charmed Choices who has a wide range of fun jewellery including sweetie charms and a new range of enamelled charms with favourite characters including the Smurfs, Thomas and Spongbob. Organisers of the market are looking forward to a busy couple of months, orders for Xmas produce will be taken at November and December markets at both Montrose and Forfar. A special Xmas market will be taking place in the Reid Hall, Forfar on Tuesday 20th December and details of this event will be in the press and on face book. Organisers are keen to encourage new stallholders and producers of local foods, anyone interested in attending the market can contact the market manager on market day or by email details are on the market website www.angusfarmersmarket.co.uk The Angus Farmers Market can be found in the High Street, Montrose on the 1st Saturday of the month and the Myre, Forfar on the 2nd Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
October Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
Cocktails at Wark Farm. I'm sorry, that was teasing. Just before you nip upstairs to look out your peep toe, high heeled wellies and evening boiler suit, you know ... the one with the sequins and contrast cuff detailing, I'm not referring to the consumption of mixers and shakers. Nor, thankfully, the Molotov kind. The last two years have brought some weighty challenges in the world of Wark Farm. Take a measure of two stinking winters, dash in a rotten summer and add, distinctly not to taste, a substantial hike in pig and poultry feed prices in the face of a falling market and a gloomy economy. Shake it all up and garnish it with some personal challenges that refuse to be quietly subdued, and ... . Well, suffice to say that some changes have to be made if we are to remain sane, solvent and still supplying a measure of traditional breed meats to you, our favourite customers. First off, we are not producing geese this year, I'll repeat that. No Wark Farm geese this Christmas. Sorry. I already hear the honking of disappointment. But please, go easy on me, I'm already in enough trouble on this front with my daughters, what are we going to have come twenty five twelve. Secondly we are dramatically reducing our pig herd. Having lost money on every pig we sold last year, in common with many in the pig industry, we wanted to jump before any suggestion of being pushed. This is a rather serious step for a business largely built up on pigs and pig products and a blow for the cause of happy healthy outdoor porkers. We have also stopped most of our sales to shops and restaurants. So what does this leave. It leaves direct open day sales to people and homes, where we started. We would like to continue supplying the many people who have found pleasure in buying meat offering taste and a tale and allow our piece of land to play it's part in opting out of soulless food production. As we work out just how to do this, it would be a great to hear from you, the eaters of our products, your thoughts on our future relationship. I could of course set up some form of web based questionnaire, giving you boxes to tick, which I could collate and analyse. But that feels like dishing up chicken nuggets to people reared on coq au vin. So please, in your own words, and just for starters: How do you feel about continuing to purchase from Wark Farm. How would this change if there were no pigs. Do you think you might spend a bit more, a bit less, none, with us next year. If you're not already, could you be talked into being a member of our monthly buyers scheme. If that was the only way you could buy from us would you sign up. Would you buy as much if we only sold every other month or quarterly. Would you be interested in forming some sort of Community Supported Agriculture? I've done the starters, could you do the main? We will plan to do the desert together. I hope you will share some thoughts with us. But for now, this months open days are Thursday 27th, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th October from 10:00am - 4:00pm each day at the farm with orders going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on the Thursday and on the Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. This month we have frozen Belted Galloway Beef, Oxford, Sandy & Black pork and Hebridean lamb/hogget. We also have the usual Hugh Griersons Organic chickens. An up to date order form is attached should you wish to place an order.
Angus Farmers Market September 2011
Montrose farmers market on the first Saturday of the month and Forfar farmers market on the 2nd Saturday of the month is the perfect venue to celebrate Scottish Food and Drink fortnight. Both markets boast a wonderful selection of fresh local produce including tasty meat, game and seafood. To get the best flavour from your fruit and vegetables buying in season is a must and September brings colourful golden beetroot and beautiful purple cauliflower certain to give the wow factor to the dinner plate add some Rooster potatoes for perfection. Stallholders are keen to introduce new products to their stalls and at Montrose Louise from award winning Isabella’s preserves will be launching her new Chilli jam. This sweet yet fiery jam can be used as a dip or straight from the jar to spice up meats and sandwiches. This month will see the welcome return of Mark Petrie and his briquettes made from dried compressed sawdust and waste food from him joinery business. The briquettes can be used on open fires, stoves and barbeques. Keen gardeners will not be disappointed this month as Frances from Ashbrook will help you pick some autumn colour for your garden or patio from his beautiful selection of plants and shrubs. A special stall will also help with spring planting as daffodil bulbs will be on sale to help raise funds for the Anna Jane Melrose fund. The market is not only a great place to buy quality foods it is a unique shopping experience bringing customers and producers together in a relaxed atmosphere. Organisers are keen to encourage new customers including people with young families that make the next generation of food lovers. Children can participate in the market experience by entering the Spot the Meerkat competition, Angus the “Farmers Meerkat” will be hiding at one of the market stalls and a nice prize will be awarded to the winner. Face painting a Tai Chi demonstration and the Forfar Pipe band will all add a little something special to these Saturday mornings right in the heart of town.
August Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
Although we try to farm here in what could be considered a sensitive way, there is in fact only a limited amount of naturalness about our farmed landscape. The building blocks of course stem from nature but there has been a good deal of re-arrangement over the decades. So it is one of the disappointments of the farm here that, as we enter the season of plenty in the countryside, we are relatively deficient in opportunities for a natural harvest at home. But with woodland mushrooms producing nicely alongside the first of the grouse off the hills and the wild duck just round the corner there is not far to go to liven up the supper table at this time of year; but there is an added satisfaction in 'growing' ones own. We have even been rather deficient on the farm this year in rabbits and woodpigeon and neither have reached the product list in 2011, though thinking of the crops, that is burden we can bear. But in the absence of a wild harvest to add interest to our regular offering we have this month some of our doocot pigeons available as squabs and a few more mature birds (that sounds like a euphemism for 'tough as old boots', but really they are still young birds, just no longer squabs).To avoid boring those of you who received my doocot ramblings last year, I won't repeat all about them, sufficient to say they make a fine plump pigeon, richer and more tender than the wild relative, and quite delicious simply roasted, perhaps cooked on a bed of stuffing enlivened with the giblets and a chanterelle or two from your next wander in the woods? Our open days this month are Thursday 25th, Friday 26th and Saturday 27th August from 10:00am - 4:00pm each day at the farm with orders going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on the Thursday and on the Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. This month we have fresh Oxford, Sandy & Black pork, Hebridean lamb/hogget and the return of a full programme of Belted Galloway beef. We also have some frozen local venison available and our usual Hugh Griersons Organic chickens. An up to date order form is attached should you wish to place an order. Banchory Farmers market happens this coming Saturday (20th) from 9am - 1pm with Alford the following Saturday at the same times.
Angus Farmers Market High Street, Montrose Saturday 2nd July 2011
The summer weather brings thoughts of spending as much time as possible outdoors and a visit to the Angus Farmers Market this Saturday in the High Street, Montrose is a relaxing way to pick up everything required for feeding the family. The market boasts a wide range of meats, poultry and seafood ready for the barbeque; for something a little different Hubertus game from Pitlochry are introducing Wild boar and apple and redcurrant and venison sausages guaranteed to impress your guests. Quality food needs little effort to make it taste delicious and Mike from Hubertus makes it even easier with his wild boar fillet ready to cook in a succulent Chinese glaze. To achieve maximum flavour produce needs to be in season and this month Scottish new potatoes, fresh green salads and soft fruit is at its best. There is nothing nicer than a plate of strawberries and raspberries with a nice dollop of cream to give the feel good factor. Devenick Dairy and Storm Cakes also tempt us with smooth, tasty cheesecakes and creamy Banoffe pies. There is a treat in store for dog lovers as Jess from the Dundee Dog training group will be bringing her performing dogs to the market. Jess is a dog trainer and behaviourist in Angus and holds demonstrations with her dogs, trick training, agility and generally bringing a smile to everyone that watches them. Organisers are keen to encourage new local food producers to apply to the market. Market information can be found on the website www.angusfarmersmarket.co.uk or to apply email angusfarmersmarket@gmail.com The Angus Farmers Market can be found in the High Street, Montrose on the 1st Saturday of the month and the Myre, Forfar on the second Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
February Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
Apologies for the late arrival of this months Wark Farm email, it has been stuck in the mud. Once upon a time, we had a farm. Currently we have a mud factory, a reality I was, not so long ago, faintly amused to find out actually exists in the oil industry. Like leaves and railways no doubt our mud is of quite the wrong type and in the wrong place, but even allowing for that I would imagine the Soil Association may have something to say about our organic status if we were to start selling off our basic assets. The Soil Association is aptly named for much of the focus of organic systems is in encouraging the farm soils to become healthier and so more productive. Soil can be viewed as a living organism, in fact it is a medium populated by many millions of tiny interacting organisms, and as such needs supplied with the basic needs for life. It must be fed (organic matter) and watered and supplied with air if it is to thrive and enable the associated plants and herbivores (our farm animals) to do the same. It is always troubling to see our fields so water logged as at present and for such a long period. It is hard to imagine soil life thriving in such conditions but we will hope for drier conditions to prevail before the soil warms and comes properly to life again. Our open days this month are Thursday 24th, Friday 25th & Saturday 26th February and from 10:00am - 4:00pm each day at the farm with orders going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on the Thursday and on the Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. We have our normal range of fresh Belted Galloway beef, Oxford, Sandy & Black pork and Hebridean hogget. We will also have our usual offering of Hugh Griersons Organic chickens and local roe deer venison from Culquoich Estate, Glenkindie. In addition we have a small number of frozen pheasants and packs of pheasant breasts left from last months offering. An up to date order form is attached should you wish to place an order. We shall be attending Banchory Farmers market this coming Saturday (19th February) and Alford Farmers Market the following Saturday (26th February).
Angus Farmers Market The Myre Forfar 12th February
Stallholders from the Angus Farmers Market are keeping their fingers crossed for good weather in the Myre on Saturday. Market manager Carol Robbie told us “a nice day makes all the difference, there is no doubt the weather has affected business but our producers and regular customers are a hardy bunch. We are always optimistic and look forward to seeing everyone back to support their local producers and to enjoy the market atmosphere. Where else can you speak to the farmers and producers directly? I am always on the lookout for new stallholders but we need the market to be successful in order to attract new producers and businesses” Seasonal local vegetables and first class meat and poultry are the heart of the market. Highland beef, Aberdeen Angus and quality cured, cooked and fresh pork products. Puddledub pork has been attending the Forfar market from the very start and has a loyal following. Using traditional methods and secret recipes they pride themselves in offering a personal and friendly service to all their customers. Valentine’s Day is not far away and the farmers market has plenty of gift ideas for the love of your life. Damian Bailey from Priestley’s Artisan Chocolates will tempt you with delicious chocolate bars, including “Pop goes the weasel” a milk chocolate bar with tongue tingling candy pieces. Damian also dips fruits and berries in chocolate “Mango Jerry” is pieces of air dried mango dipped in Belgium chocolate. A perfect gift for any time of the year can be found at the Eeksie Peeksie ceramics stall .Venetia makes affordable farmyard themed kitchen and cookware. All pieces are hand painted with animal characters and are dishwasher proof and highly durable. An unusual but fun gift for the family can be found at the Odd Socks stall. Marley Laurie makes sock monkeys, rabbits and cats in various sizes. Specific designs and materials can be discussed with both Venetia and Marley on Saturday for personalised gifts. Ashbrook nursery always has a wonderful display of seasonal flowers, shrubs and unusual containers filled with colourful plants. Francis and Anne are also a mind of information ready to give you tips to make your outside space something to be proud of. The Angus Farmers Market can be found in the High Street, Montrose on the 1st Saturday of the month and the Myre, Forfar on the second from 9am to 1pm. The market also has a website www.angusfarmersmarket.co.uk and you can also follow them on facebook and twitter.
Angus Farmers Market High Street Montrose 6th November
The stallholders from the Angus Farmers Market will be celebrating the good old banger as it is British sausage week from 1st to 7th November. Various specials will be running at the meat stalls including Borland Highland Beef introducing two new sausage combinations beef with mustard and beef and tomato. Tom from Puddledub Pork is now a regular at Montrose and is looking forward to sharing some new sausage flavours with his customers and tasters will be available. Devenick Dairy have a new veal steak and cracked black pepper sausage they will also be launching a special Christmas cheese which is a camembert with fresh cream cheese and cranberries in the centre, this cheese is only available in November and December. This has been a great year for Devenick dairy as they have been on a bit of a winning streak after picking up a gold and two silvers at the international cheese awards and an innovation award for their very low fat probiotic yogurts. To add a little something special to your teatime Cake maker Nancy will be bringing her popular muffins cookies and mini brownies she will also have seasonal apple and cinnamon muffins, treacle cakes, raspberry cupcakes and allergen free chocolate cakes Organisers of the market are looking forward to a busy couple of months, orders for Xmas produce will be taken at November and December markets at both Montrose and Forfar. A special Xmas market will be taking place in the Reid Hall, Forfar on Tuesday 21st December and details of this event will be in the press and on face book. The farmers market takes place in Montrose on the first Saturday of the month unfortunately for market customers 1st January 2011 lands on this Saturday so there will be no market in Montrose in January but it will be back to normal at Forfar on the following Saturday 8 January.
Angus Farmers Market High Street Montrose 2nd October
The weather has an autumn feel now and thoughts turn away from cooking “al fresco” back to warming stews and soups. New season root vegetables are at their very best and added to quality meat can feed the family a first class locally produced casserole. Two stallholders will be celebrating a year attending the Montrose market the first is Borland Highland beef. Borland Farm is situated between Glenshee and Braemar they specialise in Organic Highland Beef, Hebridean Lamb and Belted Galloway cattle. Borland stock only native breeds that are suited to being reared outdoors all year round. Also Celebrating one year on is Charmed Choices. Lynne Firth decided to start her own charm and jewellery business when she wanted individual charm bracelets for friends, she couldn’t find any so she made her own and continues to look for new ideas for gifts for all ages. The cakes and muffins from Cakemaker have a fruity theme this month with cakes topped with late summer strawberries,autumn blueberries, zesty orange cake and raspberry muffins. There is also the usual range of special dairy and wheat free cakes and even some low in sugar so something for everyone. The Angus Farmers market can be found in the High Street, Montrose on the first Saturday of the month and the Myre, Forfar on the second Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
September Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
Probably there is some rule in marketing that one should never start with an apology. Quite likely it's the same in politics and I suspect something similar applies to battle. But, thankfully indulging in neither of the latter and only a smidgen of the former, I apologise that we were caught so short with many of our orders last month. We had been rather quieter with our open day orders over the last few months, then you came back in numbers in August, and welcome you were. So, sorry if you missed out on your choice cuts last month but we are primed and ready this month so here's hoping you're not now on holiday, full-time vegetarian or fasting. Interestingly we do have a number of vegetarian customers; a fact I take as a pleasing compliment. With the robin tuning up in what passes for the garden and the odd cock pheasant shouting his stuff over by the woods (not to mention snow in the forecast), it seems appropriate to turn thoughts to game cooking and some deeper more comforting dishes. But before we dive headlong into forequarters and slow cooking, we have as promised a few young grouse available this month which should be dealt with using a lighter hand as an autumnal treat, plain roasted with the classic game accompaniments, or for the cook on a time budget as I was recently, flash fried in oil and butter with something fruity on the side. Our open days this month are 23rd, 24th & 25th September from 10:00am - 4:00pm each day at the farm with orders going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on the Thursday and on the Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. An up to date order form is attached if you wish to place an order. We have our full range of Beltie beef, Hebridean hogget (older lamb), and Oxford pork along with red deer venison from Glenkindie and chickens from Griersons Organic in Perth. Of course there are Spotty Pig Pork Pies too (September's always a big pie month) and our usual range of cooked and cured products. We shall be out and about at Banchory market this coming Saturday (9-1) and, if we can find a pie seller, at Alford on the 25th (10-2), on which same day we shall also be attending the Living Food at Cawdor Castle event, which if it is new to you is one of our more enjoyable food days of the year; more details can be found via this link.
The Angus Farmers Marke tHigh Street Montrose Saturday 7th August 2010
The Angus Farmers market will be setting up in their usual spot in the High Street, Montrose this coming Saturday and the summer feeling continues with fresh local soft fruits and seasonal vegetables. Freshly picked and selected organic vegetables can be found at the Myreside Organics stall. Antonia will harvest her delicious French beans, spinach beet ,salad leaves and juicy cucumbers on the Friday night before market. CakeMaker Nancy will be bringing her popular fresh strawberry and mallow cake also cake of the month is a zesty orange cake. For customers with special dietary requirements Nancy will have non dairy strawberry cake and a diabetic fruit cake. Special requests are always welcome and orders can be taken for a special event. Lunan life breed Berkshire pigs a traditional rare breed renowned for quality pork. Their sows far row indoors with outside access. After weaning they are moved onto areas of stubble or woodland on the farm giving them as much natural life as possible. Scott from Lunan Life believes this form of rearing enhances the flavour of the pork and is eager for the market customers to try their roasts, chops, diced pork and sausages All in all the farmers market brings right to the centre of town produce direct from the producers and the ability to talk to the very people responsible for these products is the difference between strolling down the market of rushing down the aisles.. The market organisers are keen to keep a variety of local producers and ask anyone with a new product to contact the market manager Carol Robbie Tel no 07941 721v829 or email carolrobbie@hotmail.co.uk. The Angus Farmers Market can be found in the High Street, Montrose on the first Saturday of the month and the Myre, Forfar on the second from 9am to 1pm.
June Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
My sheep and I have at least one thing in common this year. Any guesses ... perhaps better not. Increasing hair loss. In my case it is a conspiracy of genetics, family life, work and that iniquitous tendency of hair to redistribute itself as one gets older. But quickly, back to the sheep and obviously in their case it is not hair but wool. There has been quite a lot of premature wool loss amongst the sheep this year, which seems to be happening in other flocks around the countryside too, perhaps following on from the stresses of the winter. In previous years this could be counted a blessing as that is one less to pay the contract shearers to clip, but this year we are shearing the sheep using farm labour and planning to have more of the wool spun for sale ourselves, so each falling fleece causes a little sense of loss. We had a batch from last years clip spun as an experiment, 20kg of fleeces returned as 100g balls of rather attractive brown Aran weight knitting wool with a silver fleck through it. It has been spun in an organic certified mill and will retail for £7.50/100g as certified organic wool. In case any keen hand knitter out there are interested we have some spare from this trial batch and are offering a 20% discount on orders of 5 or more 100g balls (it's on the order form). It's perhaps not the cheapest way to get a new jumper, but without economies of scale or Chinese labour rates there aren't many opportunities for cost savings. To meat. We are open this month on the 24th, 25th & 26th June at the usual times of 10:00am - 4:00pm with orders going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on the Thursday and on the Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. We have the regular Wark Oxford Sandy & Black pork and Hebridean lamb along with aged Biodynamic organic Aberdeen Angus cross beef from Murtle Estate (we should have mature Beltie beef again next month). There is our usual range of processed and cooked products also along with our eggs and chickens from Hugh Griersons organics. An up to date order form is attached and if order could be in by the weekend (19/20th) that would be very helpful. We shall be at Banchory Farmers Market this Saturday (19th) and Alford market on the following Saturday (26th), 9.00-1.00 and 10.00-2.00 respectively.
May Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
It's time for a walk. A walk at Wark. Quite a few months have passed since we last hosted a farm walk here to let regular and new customers both come and see what we are up to. Personally we have spent a lot of time recently walking on Wark, mostly in pursuit of sheep that are acting like weeds, i.e. an interesting organism in the wrong place. Animals in the wrong place is one of the few aspects of farm life capable of lighting my blue touch paper; stand well back. Self propelling box ticking bureaucracy being the other. Having increased the sheep flock, our farms historical cattle fencing has been found wanting in multiple areas compounded by the very late arrival of any sensible amount of grass this spring. A couple of kilometres of sheep netting later and we are still engaged in a tactical contest with the sheep that feels vaguely like schoolboy chess; black and white pieces and a Tom and Jerry line in defence. Rest assured though if you would like to come on the walk and talk on the Saturday (29th) of this months open days there is no requirement to do the 100m dash in wellie boots; unless of course you are thinking of cancelling your gym subscription. We will gather in the farm yard at 11:00 and with no particular theme take a wander round the stock and crops to talk about what we do and some of the why's and how's. I've booked in some good weather, but do bring wellies or walking boots and appropriate clothing for the day just to be sure. We are open on Thursday 27th, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th this month from 10:00am - 4:00pm with orders going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on the Thursday and on the Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. We have a full product list this month with beef, pork, lamb, venison and chickens as normal. The beef is from Newton Dee Farm, Bieldside this month, biodynamic organic well matured beef as mentioned in previous newsletters. An up to date product list is attached and if you wish to place an order, please either complete the form and email back, or simply write what you would like in an email or give us a call. We shall be attending Alford Farmers market this Saturday (22nd) 10:00am - 2:00pm and looking ahead, Inverurie (2nd Saturday) and Banchory (3rd Saturday) markets as normal in June. We are pleased to report also that along with restaurants we have previously highlighted we are now supplying our products to the not long opened Bistro at Woodend Barn in Banchory. This is run by Val and Callum Buchanan of Buchanan Foods, excellent people making terrific meals with a food philosophy very like our own. More details on this link. I feel hungry now.
April Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
It's been an active Thursday for new entrants at the farm today; the first group of sheep to lamb are busy squirting them out on a regular basis, a cow has just calved and a sow farrowed this morning. It's all very seasonal, if rather sticky, and I'm just pretending that the prophets of doom in the weather room prove wrong about the suggestion of snow this weekend. The last blast is still fresh enough in the memory to induce gut sinking feelings at the thought of another bout like that one; it caused considerable trouble here, particularly among the early lambing sheep, and the grand hot days we have had over the last week have been the best medicine to help us move on to happier things. We are now playing catch up with all the jobs undone over the prolonged snow; so the pigs are now all outside again and looking so much better for it, grunting, digging, romping, all to the fragrance of fresh pig muck gently baking in the sun. Gladdens the heart. Fences are being fixed, sheds are being emptied, with the muck to be spread on fields for this years oats and hay and hopefully, before too long, some ploughing and sowing. Oh, almost forgot, this years geese arrive in three weeks too and the brooders are to be built so the sheds won't be empty for long. We are open this month on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th April at the usual times at the farm of 10:00am - 4:30pm each day with orders going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on the Thursday and on the Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. An up to date product list is attached which has a return to slow matured Belted Galloway Beef on it alongside the regulars of Oxford, Sandy & Black pork and the Hebridean lamb, or rather hogget now, as they are about a year old. Organic chickens from Hugh Griersons Organics are also back on the list this month and if you would like chicken or portions, please let us know as soon as you can so we can put an accurate order in to them. There is the usual selection of home produced cured and cooked products and wild roe venison from Glenkindie.
Montrose Market March 6th
The Angus Farmers Market will be introducing two new stallholders to their regular line up at the March market this Saturday in the High Street, Montrose giving even more choice for their customers. Nancy Craig is a cake maker from Guthrie in Angus and will be bringing her range of homemade cakes and cookies. The selection will include bite size organic chocolate brownies – just the right size to enjoy without feeling guilty, delicious cupcakes with handmade decoration - vanilla, carrot and cake of the month – treacle. There will also be a soya version of organic oat cookies. All these tasty treats will be nicely packaged ready to give someone as a tasty gift. Nancy will be happy to take orders and will look forward to hearing customers suggested flavours for future markets. Lunan life breed Berkshire pigs a traditional rare breed renowned for quality pork. Their sows farrow indoors with outside access. After weaning they are moved onto areas of stubble or woodland on the farm giving them as much natural life as possible. Scott from Lunan Life believes this form of rearing enhances the flavour of the pork and is eager for the market customers to try their roasts, chops, diced pork and sausages. Ideas for Mothers day on March 14th can be found at the Charmed Choices stall. Lynne Firth is always coming up with creative ideas for her jewellery business and this month you can get handmade Mothers day cards combined with a charm bookmark making a perfect for mums and grannies. Ashbrook nursery has a wonderful choice of plants, containers and bulbs to cheer up the patio and front door, reminding us spring is just round the corner. The Angus Farmers Market can be found in the High Street, Montrose on the first Saturday of the month and the Myre, Forfar on the second Saturday of the month from 9am to 1pm.
February Wark Farm Open Days and Newsletter
Going by the snow outside the door, it must be winter still in this part of the country. Given previous winters performances there was no reasonable expectation of spring, or at least no snow, arriving this month, or indeed next, but after the last 8 weeks of the white stuff, it would have been welcome. It continues to be a pain in the proverbial; what a rush there is going be when the spring day comes and the ground dries out. The skylarks have been tuning up though when the sun shines so the year has turned and the lengthening days have seen some more heat in the sun which the animals have welcomed. The sheep and cattle are built for a Scottish winter and are little phased by the dry cold, though they do tend to eat rather, but the sun on their backs certainly brings a more contented air to the field - and the farmer. As regular customers know we been short of beef from time to time over the last year. Increasing demand is hard to keep up with when it takes us around three years to produce one of our Beltie beef carcass so we have had to buy in a few beef carcasses to fill gaps while ours grow. We have chosen to source native breeds and certified organic and to tell you some of the story of its origin. This month we have been able to take some beef from Murtle Farm, Bieldside, Aberdeen. The beef is Aberdeen Angus cross and is over 30 months old, as ours normally is. The farm is certified Biodynamic, which is a form of organic agriculture, though it differs from typical organic production by including a spiritual element to the system and incorporating a number of additional requirements for farmers and growers. It is based on the holistic approach to human health developed by Rudolf Steiner. More information can be found on the Biodynamic Agriculture Association website. It's probably about time we put on another 'What is Organic Farming?' open day ... in the summer, explaining why we farm organically here at Wark. But until the snow goes, the Soil Association website gives lots of useful information. After 5 years now of learning about organic farming, we continue to increase our belief in the approach. Our open days this month are Thursday 25th, Friday 26th and Saturday 27th February and we are open at the farm from 10:00am until 4:30pm. Deliveries will be going out to Inverurie, Alford, Strathdon, Aboyne, Tarland and Upper Deeside on Thursday and on Friday to Banchory and Aberdeen. In addition to the beef we have fresh pork, lamb and venison alongside the cooked and cured items. Our chicken supplies have fallen foul of the weather though as they have suffered some large losses due to the cold so there is no chicken available this month, we are told it should be back to normal next month. Banchory market will be on this Saturday (9am-1pm) and then Inverurie and Banchory next month on the 13th and 20th respectively. As always, please do get in touch if you have any queries about products or the farm. Best wishes Dugie & Jen
Special Event at Aviemore Feb 14th
In Aviemore CFM are very pleased to welcome a team from the Food Standards Agency in Scotland to stage a cookery demonstration, with chef Robert Tiffin of the Sizzling Scot restaurant in Edinburgh. There will be free taster sessions, as well as the chance to use the amazing Glitter Bug Hand Washer to discover if you are cleaning your hands as well as you really think! There will also be the opportunity to ask the experts all your questions about healthy eating and food safety.
Angus Market 6th Feb
The High Street Montrose Saturday 6th February 2010 The Angus Farmers market will be back in the High Street, Montrose this Saturday after the festive break and organisers are looking forward to seeing customers old and new enjoying the first class produce available. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching so to impress your special other half with a romantic meal for two there is plenty of choice for the budding chef from easily prepared meats, delicious seafood or poultry. For your starter you could have handmade breads from the Loaf Face stall with your own homemade vegetable soups made with fresh vegetables from the market or some chicken liver pate from Milton Haugh. There is a bountiful choice for your main course organic Highland beef from Borland Farm, sweet tasty beef and lamb from Braes of Coull, succulent pork from Puddledub and fresh seafood from Arbroath fisheries. To finish you can visit the Devenick Dairy stall there you will find the most delicious cheesecake and the choice for the cheeseboard is second to none at the market with a large variety from Devenick dairy and Arran cheese. To keep warm this winter you can visit the stall of the Kirriemuir Briquette Company. Waste wood in the form of dried compressed sawdust has been turned into 100% renewable energy briquettes perfect for stoves, oven fires and barbeques. Market organisers are keen to encourage new stallholders to keep the market fresh and to give variety and choice to their customers, anyone interested in joining the market on a two month trial can contact the market manager on 07941 721829 or make enquiries on market day. The Angus Farmers market can be found in the High Street, Montrose on the first Saturday of the month and the Myre, Forfar on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 9am to 1pm.
Congratulations A-Bun-Dance
A-Bun-Dance the bakers of Invergordon have won the New Business Award at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards