WTF NEws- December 16, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Dec 16

Hard to believe that Christmas is only about a week away. We'd like to take this opportunity to say that we really appreciate all of the support that everyone has given us over the past year. You guys are awesome!

I think at this point most of you are familiar with Marti the goose and how he has grown up thinking that he's a pig. I've probably even mentioned how Marti has the ability of hold his own when fighting pigs to get his share of food. Well this week I witnessed just how tough that goose really is. For the past 2 weeks it's just been Marti and 2 sows in a pasture together until it came time to put the boar in with the sows. Now I've never thought much about anyone getting hurt but I could tell that as soon as the boar stepped off the trailer that all hell was about to break loose. For those that haven't been in the presence of an amorous boar, they start foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog and and start talking dirty with load guttural grunts. Now I don't know if it was the slobber, grunts, or just the fact that there was a new face in the pasture but something set Marti off. The boar was so busy trying to make new friends with the girls that I don't think he noticed the flapping, honking wad of feathers that was about to attack. As Marti blindsided the boar he bit fast on his right ear and proceeded to flail him in the head and side with his wings. Not knowing what was going on, the boar took off running across the pasture with Marti attached to the side of his head. Marti would eventually let go and return to eat with the sows. Once the boar would "shake it off" and head back to join the sows, Marti would repeat the scene. It got to the point that I almost felt sorry for the boar as he would hide in the corner of the field. Now this went on over a 2 day period but eventually the boar admitted that Marti was the boss and a truce was drawn for the time being. It's hard to believe that 15lbs of honk & feathers can terrorize a 600lb boar to that extent.


This is the last weekend your WTF Smoked Pork Shoulders for Christmas. We're teaming up with our friends that BBQed the pig at our farm dinner in October to smoke our delicious pork shoulders so you don't have to cook for Christmas (or at least don't have to cook as much). The cost is $70 each for shoulders that will run 13-15lbs each and should feed up to 20-25 people. These will be slow cooked over wood coals all morning and be ready for pick up Christmas eve afternoon. As always the supplies are limited and when we're out, we're out so get yours early.

Davidson Farmers Market (9am-noon)- we will be in the lower parking lot near our friends at Chef Charles Catering.

Elizabeth Farmers Market - The Market is closed for the season so we will be working on an email pre-order only system. Email us your order by Friday afternoon and come by the Customshop Restaurant to pick it up between 10:30-11am Saturday morning.

Salisbury Farmers Market_- (9am-noon)- Domisty will be back and as always space is limited so email us your order and she'll have it ready for you to pick up.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but eggs are in extremely short supply this weekend and may be none existent by the time we fill restaurant orders. The chickens have been on strike the past 2 weeks but they are starting to pick up again so hopefully they'll be back at full speed by next year.


We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Whiskey Warehouse- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Salisbury Wine Shop- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

Birthday Meal at Customshop

If you have not tried Customshop yet you neeed too!

We went last week-end to celebrate Lee's birthday.

We started with a Charcuterie & Cheese platter- we had help from our waiter on what to select but we knew we definitely wanted the House made Chicken Liver Pate. I never thought of myself as a "chicken liver" person but this was pure bliss!

Lee opted for the Crispy Duck & I wanted to try something different then what I would usually get....I have to admit I was close to ordering WTF Pork Chop. We know those farmer's & they raise a good pig! But in the end I chose the Trigger Fish from our friends at Rock Stone Seafood.

We also had the Pumpkin Gnocchi & Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Then finished up the evening with the Bread Pudding.

Christmas Shoulders

Don't Forget To Order Your Christmas Shoulders Now!

.
Just got word that the cookers are about full for WTF Christmas Shoulders!
Feed your family right this Christmas. Our whole WTF Berkshire shoulders (13-15lbs ea) will be slow smoked over wood coals and ready for pick up Christmas Eve 2-5pm. Ready to eat shoulders are $70 ea.
Don't need that much? Order one of our whole picnics (6-7lbs) for $40
Order yours today! Delivery to sites in Charlotte and Concord will be available.


Traveling for the Holidays?
Take some WTF with you. Our Pepperoni & Salami Chubs or Beef Snack Sticks are perfect for holiday travels. A box of these in your carry-on luggage are guaranteed to make you the star of the tarmac while your plane is delayed.
Can't travel to see your family this year? Mail them some WTF Pepperoni, Salami, or Snack Sticks to show them your love.

No Markets this weekend but give us a call and come by the farm!- We'll be back at the markets Saturday Dec 16.


Some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury
Simply Local @ Atherton Market- Charlotte



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

WTF News- December 2, 2011

WTF News- December 2, 2011

Now that turkeys have come and gone for the year we've had a few days to relax, re-coop, and reload. Over Thanksgiving we managed to get away to Wilmington for 4 days of serious bonding with the in laws' couch while Domisty and her mom got some momma/daughter time and her dad got his fill of the boys. Now after the week of doing turkey related running, calling, emailing, and arithmetic I was ready for some down time. After 2 days I was caught up on a season & a half of Burn Notice, loaded up on war movies, and had about all of the cooking shows I could stand. Couple this with spending a couple nights sharing the couch with Rosty and by Friday afternoon the mental fatigue of being confined to the house was starting to show. It got so bad we had to venture out on Black Friday afternoon which was a good opportunity to catch up on some people watching. It made me glad that our business is not tied to that madness even though some of you might beg to differ on the day's we're short on eggs or late to the market. At least none of our great customers have resorted to pepper spraying each other to get the last pack of pork chops (please don't get any ideas). Saturday Rosty and I ventured out on a father/ son kayaking trip on the Cape Fear river in which we ended up walking barefoot around one of the dredge islands looking for shark teeth and having a great time. All in all it is nice to escape for a while and come back recharged and ready to get back to work- cause God knows it's there waiting on us to return.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and all the great comments on the turkeys this year. We really enjoy the encouragement.

This weekend we will start taking orders for WTF Smoked Pork Shoulders for Christmas. We're teaming up with our friends that bbq the pig at our farm dinner in October to smoke our delicious pork shoulders so you don't have to cook for Christmas (or at least don't have to cook as much). The cost is $70 each for shoulders that will run 13-15lbs each and should feed up to 20-25 people. These will be slow cooked over wood coals all morning and be ready for pick up Christmas eve afternoon. As always the supplies are limited and when we're out, we're out so get yours early.
We have a limited supply of whole rabbits for $7.25/lb if anyone is interested in getting one please email us so we'll be sure and have enough. -Yes I'll try and remember to send some to Davidson this weekend.
We are restocked on whole chickens and will have them as well
Davidson Farmers Market (9am-noon)- Town Hall parking lot will be closed due to the Parade Saturday but don't worry- we will be in the lower parking lot near our friends at Chef Charles Catering.

Elizabeth Farmers Market - The Market is closed for the season so we will be working on an email pre-order only system. Email us your order by Friday afternoon and come by the Customshop Restaurant to pick it up between 10:30-11am Saturday morning. We will do this tomorrow and again on Saturday Dec 17.

Salisbury Farmers Market_- (9am-noon)- Domisty will be back and as always space is limited so email us your order and she'll have it ready for you to pick up.



We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

Happy Birthday!

If you see this guy today wish him a Happy Birthday!

I love you sweetie!

-do

Turkey Drop-Off #1

Last night was our first turkey drop-off/pick up & according to who you ask I think it went great!

We were on our way to Charlotte when the bottom fell out & it started raining but by the time we got there it was just a light drizzle.

We had about 70 turkeys in the freezer in no particular order so the first few people had to wait while I found their turkey number but other than that smooth sailing.

Then it was off to Davidson.......

For all of our Davidson customers you know we are always going to be running a few minutes behind. But once we got there & got our system figured out everything went great.

Thanks to Patti for helping Lee with getting the turkeys picked -up & tagged and to Patti & Becky for their help at Davidson getting everyone their turkeys.

We have great friends who are always willing to help us out.

Remember there is a farm pick-up this afternoon & we will be in Salisbury this evening.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

WTF News- November 18, 2011

There's a serious frost on the pumpkins this morning. I guess it's about time for it since we're less than a week from Thanksgiving. I spent a rainy Thursday morning unloading turkeys at the processors and I've got to say that I am SOOOO glad we are not processing turkeys on the farm this year. So in the spirit of thankfulness I wanted to share a quick recap last year's turkey day:

5:30 get up, dressed, and eat.
6:00 fire up the scalder so the water will be hot in an hour or so.
6:10 wonder where the help is???
6:15 take trailer to field and start catching turkeys before it gets too light and they become active
6:35 help shows up and we finish catching turkeys
7:00 realize fire on scalder went out & relight- clean up and get ready, send someone to Dixies for a box of coffee and Brian's Grill for biscuits.
7:30 rest of help shows up (about 9 people a mix of volunteers and paid help), fire's "hot enough" so we start
7:35 realize it wasn't hot enough and spend the next 20 minutes waiting for it to get hot while 6 people pull feathers one at a time by hand. , cuss occasionally
8:00 waters hot, helps ready, so away we go.
10:00 need more ice - send someone to store for ice, get another box of coffee too since we're in town anyway
Noon- send someone to pick up lunch and eat lunch in shifts since we're only half way done.
2pm - almost done, customers showing up to pick up birds
3pm finished processing and start clean up.
4:30 thank everyone, pay some, send everyone away and go feed.
5:30 - Oh crap! almost forgot to pick up kids from after school care
6pm - peanut butter crackers for supper, finish bagging and tagging turkeys, haul butt to Davidson of 6:30 drop off
7pm - get to Davidson, apologize for being late, take money, pass out turkeys- (in the rain at that)
7:15 - leave to head to Salisbury for 7:30 drop , get caught in traffic due to wreck on I77
7:45pm get out of Davidson
8:30pm- get to Salisbury, apologize, take money, pass out turkeys
9:30- pick up kids from grandparents eat a bite of leftovers and head home
10pm get home, put kids to bed
10:15- Decide to do something different next year.

Now you know why we outsourced processing this year. Hope everyone has a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving



Thanks to Christopher Lux for his article on Wild Turkey Farms thanksgiving turkeys.
This week stock up on those Thanksgiving Day items like smoked jowls & bacon ends for seasoning, eggs, sausage for stuffing, breakfast items for the morning after.
We have a limited supply of whole rabbits for $7.25/lb if anyone is interested in getting one please email us so we'll be sure and have enough.
We are restocked on whole chickens and will have them as well
Davidson Farmers Market (9am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.

Elizabeth Farmers Market (9:30am-noon) - We'll be back this weekend. Come stock up.

Salisbury Farmers Market_- (9am-noon)- Domisty will be back and as always space is limited so email us your order and she'll have it ready for you to pick up.



We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- CharlotteBlack Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

Thanksgiving Turkeys on their way........

Turkey Pick-Up times

For those of you who were able to get a WTF turkey here is our pick-up schedule:

Monday
6-6:30pm at Customshop Restaurant on Elizabeth Ave in Charlotte- Get there early and enjoy a beer and a bite to eat while you wait. We will be on the street between Customshop and Carpe Diem.

7:30-8pm at Davidson Town Hall Parking lot (where we set up at the farmers market)


Tuesday
3-5pm at the farm (1015 Old Cress Rd Salisbury Nc 28147)

6-6:30 in the Biscuitville Parking lot at Jake Alexander Blvd & Hwy 150

WTF News- November11, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Nov 11



Happy Veterans Day and thank you to all that have served our country. We pray for all of our service men and women to return home quickly and safely.

We will not be at the markets this weekend but we will be back next weekend. If you've run out of WTF goodies and can't wait just give us a call and come by the farm.

We'll be back at Salisbury, Davidson, and Elizabeth next weekend (Nov 19) 9-noon

Need something fun to do Saturday? Come join us at the Waterworks Art Gallery Chili Cook Off at the F&M Trolley Barn in Salisbury Saturday at 6:30pm. Nothing could be better for a cool fall evening than sampling chili and drinking beer and wine while helping support the local arts community. Lots of local teams will be competing in the cook-off, 3 of which are using WTF meats. Come out and help vote the WTF teams to the winners circle. Go Ashley, Capri & Kimmy, Josh, & Lynne!!!

Have a great weekend.


We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

UCity- Talking Turkey

Talking turkey
By Christopher Lux Photography by Roy Walter
Posted: Friday, Oct. 28, 2011

Although the name suggests it, turkeys were not sold on Lee and Domisty Menius’ farm until very recently. Wild Turkey Farms started in 2001 when Lee Menius took the reins of the 140-year-old family farm in Salisbury. With his wife and two sons, he raised and sold beef, pork and eggs. But not turkeys.
“People kept calling and asking about our turkeys,” he says. “‘Why are you Wild Turkey Farms if you don’t have any turkeys?’ they’d ask. I just liked the name.”
But those many phone calls pushed the Menius family to try raising Thanksgiving turkeys. Their first year they had only 20 turkeys, last year they had 80 and this year they have over a hundred.
The free-range turkeys are processed fresh and sold on a first come, first served basis. He sends out an email mid-October announcing how many turkeys they have and how much they will cost per pound. The first ones to email back get the privilege of purchasing a turkey. When they’re gone, they’re gone. “Last year we sold out in five hours,” Menius recalls.
As for the price, Menius says, “Feed’s our biggest input for turkeys. Feed decides the cost of the turkey, really.”
Though it’s too late to get your Thanksgiving turkey this year, it’s a good idea to sign up for their email list to receive next year’s email announcement. The pasture-raised pork, grass-fed Angus beef and free-range eggs can be purchased at Davidson, Elizabeth Avenue and Salisbury farmer’s markets, or by contacting the farm directly.

For more information, visit www.wildturkeyfarms.com or email them at wildturkey_farms@yahoo.com

Check out UCity magazine & RWalterPhotography

The pictures the photographer took at the farm are great!! We had finished up the Know Your Farms farm tour that day so we were a little tired but we had a lot of fun taking the pictures. That is actually the first "real" family portrait we have had taken since Charlie was born!

The BIG Chili Cook-Off

I hope if you don't already have week-end plans you'll come out to Waterworks Visual Arts Center for the 3rd annual chili cook-off.

Rumor has it that there will be some WTF chili there.......

When I ate lunch at The Sweetest Thing yesterday there was Wild Turkey Farms chili on the menu & it was YUMMY!!

Hope to see you there!

WTF News- November 4, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Nov 4



We hope everyone enjoyed our new 100% GRASS FED BEEF SNACK STICKS last weekend. We'll have more of them this weekend. Want to stock up?- just email us about bulk pricing.

This week- Chicken & Dumplin Special (or chicken soup if you prefer)- Leg Quarters $2.99/lb THIS WEEKEND ONLY!!!

Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.

Elizabeth Farmers Market (9am-1pm) - We'll be back this weekend. Come stock up.
Salisbury Farmers Market_- (9am-noon)- Domisty will be back and as always space is limited so email us your order and she'll have it ready for you to pick up.



We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

WTF News- October 28, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Oct 28

Thanks to everyone who emailed for a turkey. Many of you may have been waitlisted but don't let that discourage you. If you haven't emailed us yet
please do and we'll put you on the waitlist.



We hope everyone enjoyed our new 100% GRASS FED BEEF SNACK STICKS last weekend. We'll have more of them this weekend. Don't forget that these and the pepperonis and salamis make great Halloween treats for yourself or someone special. Want to stock up?- just email us about bulk pricing.

Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.

Elizabeth Farmers Market (9am-1pm) - We'll be back this weekend. Come stock up.
Salisbury Farmers Market_- NOT THIS WEEK- Domisty will be back next weekend (Nov 5)and as always space is limited so email us your order and she'll have it ready for you to pick up.



We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

It's Turkey Time

For those of you new to WTF & our Thanksgiving turkeys.....

We offer our turkeys through our e-mail newsletter. You must be on the newsletter list to receive info about turkeys.

The 2011 turkeys have been claimed & a waitlist has begun!

IT'S TURKEY TIME!!!!

Here is the email you all have been waiting for. This will be short and sweet but will hopefully answer all of your questions. We are getting in the short rows as we close in on thanksgiving and the turkeys are growing right along.

We hope that this year our birds will be a little bigger than last year and they look to be on track to make 12-15lbs on average for the table. The price for this year is $4.65/lb.

If you are interested in reserving a bird please reply back to this email RIGHT NOW.

You will receive a confirmation email letting you know if you have- a)gotten a turkey; b)been added to the waitlist; or c)missed out this year. DO NOT SEND MONEY UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO IN YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL. Any "stray money" will be considered a donation to the "we love Wild Turkey Farms and wanted to buy you a beer fund"

As usual we will take a $20 deposit to hold your bird with the balance due at pick up. Also let us know if you have special request such as a smaller or a larger bird.

We plan to do the usual evening drops at Davidson and Salisbury, at the farm, and possibly somewhere in the Charlotte area (times to be announced). So if you will let us know where you'd like to pick up it will help in our planning.

Thanks for your support and we look forward to hearing from you.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms
China Grove NC
704-202-9348

Back in the Kitchen

First, you start with apples

Then you enlist the help of a snaggle-toothed helper

Peeled apples.....

The finished product...yummy apples to enjoy this winter.

I asked Lee to pick me up some apples from the Davidson Farmer's Market on Saturday. I had big plans for what I was going to do with the apples but then something hit me like a ton of bricks. I laid down to rest at about 5 o'clock Saturday evening & did not get out of the bed until 8 o'clock the next morning but I felt SO MUCH better! I think sometimes our bodies know when enough is enough (at least mine does) and we have to slow down and rest.

There may still be a chance for making applesauce this week-end but if not we will have plenty of canned apples. Charlie has also requested apple cobbler but since this is Rosty's birthday week-end he has requested pumpkin pie. I think I'll make the pumpkin pie this week-end & the apple cobbler next week-end. I'm glad my kids enjoy yummy desserts like pumpkin pie (made with canned pumpkins from last year) & apple cobbler.

I also make a recipe called Slab Apple Pie. I cheat a little & use the pre-made pie shells & then freeze them. We have really enjoyed these & it's great to have a few of these in the freezer for when you need them!

4-H

For those of you with kids ages 9 to 12 check out the following opportunity:

4-H Junior Day

4-H Junior Day will be held Saturday, November 5 at the Rowan County Extension Office. Registration begins at 9:30 and the day will conclude by 2:30. This event is open to youth ages 9-12. During the day, you will participate in workshops (nutrition, flag etiquette/citizenship, and rocketry). There will also be a community service opportunity. Lunch and snacks will be provided. The cost for the workshop is $5. You must email sara_drake@ncsu.edu or call 704-216-8970 by Monday, October 31 to register.

If interested in Rowan County 4-H opportunities check out the website & the blog.

WTF News- October 21, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Oct 21

OK we're rested up and ready to get back to work. Hope to see everyone this weekend at the farmers markets but dress warm, it's going to be chilly in the morning.

This week we'll be restocked on Hickory Smoked Bacon, Lamb, and Beef !!!


We also welcome a new product to our lineup- BEEF SNACK STICKS- Looking for the perfect snack? Try our new beef snack sticks made from our 100% Grass Fed Beef. Look for them on the table at the farmers markets.


Grill Baby- Grill!!!!
-Grab a pack of hamburger & pack of American brats for $9 or make it hotdogs instead for $11

Crock Pot Filler
- Beef Osso Bucco roast $3/lb

Souper Special
- Beef soup bones $2/bag
- 3 meaty chicken backs for $3


Thanksgiving Turkeys- So far so good still. This year's birds are $4.65/lb. Don't reply to this email but look for that all important turkey announcement in your inbox next week (say, about Wednesday afternoon somewhere around 4pm maybe???).


Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.

Salisbury Farmers Market (8am- noon)- Domisty will be back this weekend and as always space is limited so email us your order and she'll have it ready for you to pick up.

Elizabeth Farmers Market (9am-1pm) - We'll be back this weekend. We'll have the grills fired up for brats and other goodies from the Customshop so stop by and load up your freezer and grab lunch with us.




We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

300 East- Charlotte

For our belated anniversary supper we decided to try 300 East.

They are one of the restaurants that have been supporting Wild Turkey Farms by buying local & supporting other local farms also.

We started with the

Chesapeake Style Crab Cakes ~ with Remoulade and Corn Salsa

Lee had the Daily Seafood Special & I had the Spanish Pizza ~ Spiced Chicken, Serrano Ham, Smoked Gouda & Manchego with Roasted Pepper Tomato Sauce

Since it was our anniversary we splurged and had dessert which was Pumpkin Cheesecake.

My second choice was the Black Bean and Green Chile Chicken Tortilla ~ Brown Rice, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Avocado, Lime Crema & House-Made Salsa........my next trip this is definitely what I will get!!

WTF News- October 14, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Oct 14

As I was driving yesterday I realized that the green of summer is starting to give way to the colors of fall. Halloween is just around the corner. It's that time of year when the crock pots are yearning for a tasty WTF pork or grass fed beef roast but don't put your grill up just yet, the weatherman says we've got a great weekend ahead so let us stimulate the economy and your appetite with our grilling, crock pot, and souper specials.

Grill Baby- Grill!!!!
-Grab a pack of hamburger & pack of American brats for $9 or make it hotdogs instead for $11

Crock Pot Filler
- Beef Osso Bucco roast $3/lb

Souper Special
- Beef soup bones $2/bag
- 3 meaty chicken backs for $3


Thanksgiving Turkeys- So far so good. Our turkeys are growing right along just like a turkey should so hopefully we'll have plenty of them this year. As usual we'll sell our thanksgiving turkeys through this email list. We'll have details on price, size, etc coming in the next month.


Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.

Reminder- We will Not be at either the Elizabeth Ave Farmers Market or at Salisbury Farmers Market this Saturday.



We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

WTF News- Ocober 7, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Oct 7

Short and sweet again. Thanks to everyone that came out for the farm dinner last weekend, it was absolutely awesome. Check out the pics on the Wild Turkey Farms facebook page.

Hope you'll forgive us but with the farm tour and the farm dinner behind us we just couldn't pass up what may be the last beautiful weekend to run to the beach for a short break and some fishing. Hopefully by the time you are reading this I'll be floating along in the ocean on my kayak fishing. Courtney and Becky will be at Davidson to take care of you.

Thanks & have a great weekend.


Thanksgiving Turkeys- So far so good. Our turkeys are growing right along just like a turkey should so hopefully we'll have plenty of them this year. As usual we'll sell our thanksgiving turkeys through this email list. We'll have details on price, size, etc coming in the next month.


Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.

Reminder- We will Not be at either the Elizabeth Ave Farmers Market or at Salisbury Farmers Market this Saturday or the next.
If you need to fill the freezer up next week email me an order and you can come by the farm to pick it up or we'll figure out someway to get it to you.



We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

Pics are posted on Facebook

If you want to see pics from the Farm Dinner check out our Facebook Page

Dinner on the Back Forty

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Isn't there an old saying "It takes a village to raise a child"......well, it takes a village to put on a farm dinner too!

We are so appreciative to everyone that came out. We had a great turn-out and the weather cooperated with us. It did get a little cool but the bon-fire took care of that!

We would like to thank :

Our cooks- they did an excellent job on the pig!

The Chefs- the food was delicious!!!

Our local musician- love to hear her play & sing!

The flowers.

The many friends that let us borrow things- the tables, the chairs, the light plant, the mums.

The volunteers- we had help getting the evening feeding done, setting up & decorating the tables, keeping our kids occupied before, during & after the dinner.

A very SPECIAL THANK YOU to my husband, Lee.

He has worked so hard on the planning of this dinner & in my opinion he knocked it out of the ballpark!!!

I hope I did not forget anyone (that's why I did not name names) but please know we appreciate every one's support!

WTF News- September 30th

Wild Turkey Farms News- Sept 30

Short & Sweet this week- Been busy getting ready for the farm dinner this weekend & thanks to everyone who's coming. It's shaping up to be a great event. We've got some great new products in the works so stay tuned for details in the coming weeks. Have a great weekend.

On a personal note- Sept 29 marked 10 years of Domisty putting up with me on an official basis. I am truly blessed to have a partner that works as hard as she does to make everything happen. She manages to work a full time job, help at the farm, raise Rosty & Charlie, get up early on Saturdays to work the market, and still hasn't manage to kill me or the dog for getting in the way.....Thanks and I love you Do.


Thanksgiving Turkeys- So far so good. Our turkeys are growing right along just like a turkey should so hopefully we'll have plenty of them this year. As usual we'll sell our thanksgiving turkeys through this email list. We'll have details on price, size, etc coming in the next month.


Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.

Reminder- We will Not be at either the Elizabeth Ave Farmers Market or at Salisbury Farmers Market this Saturday.



We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
300 East Restaurant- Charlotte
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

Just Bear With Me.....

Ten years ago I married my true love, my best friend!

Happy anniversary Lee, I love you!

Last Call

Wild Turkey Farms

Last Call for Tickets - Sunday Oct 2 5:30 pm - Join us for our first WTF Dinner on the Back Forty. Send the kids to the sitter's and join us as longtime friends and WTF supporters Chefs Trey Wilson & Justin Solomon from Customshop restaurant in Charlotte will put a white table cloth twist on a traditional down on the farm pig pickin with fine wines, and local brews in a green pasture setting. Dinner will feature our WTF meats and other local foods from local farmers and fishermen. Tickets are $60 and there are just a few spots left so let us know asap if you still want to come.

thanks

WTF News- September 23

Wild Turkey Farms News- Sept 23


Last Call for Tickets - Sunday Oct 2 5:30 pm - Join us for our first WTF Dinner on the Back Forty. Send the kids to the sitter's and join us as longtime friends and WTF supporters Chefs Trey Wilson & Justin Solomon from Customshop restaurant in Charlotte will serve up so white table cloth food, fine wines, and local brews in a green pasture setting. Dinner will feature our WTF meats and other local foods from local farmers and fishermen. Tickets are $60 and will be for sale at the farmers markets Saturday but seating is limited so make sure & hurry.


Thanksgiving Turkeys- So far so good. Our turkeys are growing right along just like a turkey should so hopefully we'll have plenty of them this year. As usual we'll sell our thanksgiving turkeys through this email list. We'll have details on price, size, etc coming in the next month.


Elizabeth Ave Farmers Market (~9am- noon)- Make plans to stock up this weekend because we won't be at the EFM Oct 1 (since we'll be getting ready for the farm dinner.)
Our friends Chef Charles Catering, Landis Gourmet Mushrooms, Customshop Restaurant, and Stone Seafood are all in attendance so come visit see us on Elizabeth Ave (1 block back toward uptown from Customshop). Email us an order and we'll have it ready when you get there. Customshop plans to break out the grill again this weekend so come by and grab a bite to eat while you shop. The shrimp tacos were awesome last weekend!!!

Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.


Salisbury Farmers Market tomorrow. 7am-noon To make sure you get what you want, send us an email & we'll have it ready to pick up.



We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

Thank You!

As always preparing for the KYF (Know Your Farms) Farm Tour is always a busy time. There is always a little grumbling that we don't have enough time to do every thing we want to do around the farm & there are ALWAYS a few snafus to the day but this year just like the past 2 years we had a blast!! We love meeting all of you, getting to talk to you & answer your questions!

As always, we owe a big THANK YOU to our volunteers. There is no way we can do all the work ourselves so THANKS to our cooks, servers & market trailer staff.

This year we incorporated our Open House along with the KYF Farm Tour so we had several of our Salisbury customers & friends make their first visit to Wild Turkey Farms. We are always happy to show off the farm & have everyone visit and learn about the farm & our farming practices.

Again thanks to our volunteers, the KYF staff & volunteers and to all who came out to visit!

WTF News- September16, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Sept 16

Cool weather finally!!! Been a busy couple weeks getting ready for our farm tour and open house Sunday afternoon but we're getting there. Hope everyone will be able to come visit.

Thanksgiving Turkeys- So far so good. Our turkeys are growing right along just like a turkey should so hopefully we'll have plenty of them this year. As usual we'll sell our thanksgiving turkeys through this email list. We'll have details on price, size, etc coming in the next month.


Farmers Markets- We're reloaded with our hickory smoked bacon this week but quantities are limited so reserve yours now!!!

Elizabeth Ave Farmers Market (~8:30am- noon)- Our friends Chef Charles Catering, Landis Gourmet Mushrooms, Customshop Restaurant, and Stone Seafood are all in attendance so come visit see us on Elizabeth Ave (1 block back toward uptown from Customshop). Email us an order and we'll have it ready when you get there.

Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.


Salisbury Farmers Market tomorrow. 7am-noon To make sure you get what you want, send us an email & we'll have it ready to pick up.





Upcoming Events:


Sunday Oct 2 5:30 pm - Join us for our first WTF Dinner on the Back Forty. Send the kids to the sitter's and join us as longtime friends and WTF supporters Chefs Trey Wilson & Justin Solomon from Customshop restaurant in Charlotte will serve up so white table cloth food, fine wines, and local brews in a green pasture setting. Dinner will feature our WTF meats and other local foods from local farmers and fishermen. Tickets are $60 and will be for sale at the farmers markets Saturday but seating is limited so make sure & hurry.


Sunday Sept 18- 1- 5pm We're on the Know Your Farms Tour again this year. In conjunction with the tour we will hold an open house so come by and see what's happening. No charge for just visiting our farm!!! We'll have hotdogs, brats, and possibly some BBQ available so fill up your bellies then fill up your freezer with some of our great natural meats. We'll also have a locally made favorite "Uncle Scott's Root Beer " available. No reservations necessary just drop by at 1015 Old Cress Rd Salisbury 28147



Tickets are now on sale for the 3rd Annual Know Your Farms Charlotte Area Farm Tour, Go to www.knowyourfarms.com for ticket info.





We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

15 Kid & Toddler Superfoods

As many of you have heard my spiel at the Farmer's Market you know why we use the practices that we use at the farm. We not only want good healthy food with no antibiotic or hormones added for ourselves as well as for our kids.

So when I ran across this article I thought it made perfect since to share.

A list of 15 Kid & Toddler Super foods as reported by parenting.com:

1.Eggs

2.Oatmeal

3. Fruit

4. Nuts

5. Milk

6. Blueberries

7. Tofu

8. Tomatoes

9. Low-fat Greek yogurt

10. Cabbage

11. Salmon

12. Cocoa

13. Black Beans

14. Basil

15. Cinnamon

The only one that we don't eat at all is tofu. The other items either both or one of the boys will eat. Both of my boys LOVE fruit which I am so grateful. We eat seafood at least once a week (we actually had salmon on Sunday). And of course, we have a steady supply of eggs from our chickens.

Do you ever Google your name?

Do you ever just Google your name?

I do.

I google my name, Lee's name & the farm name. You'd be surprised at what you'll find sometimes. I have found articles that ran in our local newspapers that were picked up by newspapers in Virginia & Florida. I have found mention of articles in other blogs. I even found a comedian who was joking about our MPU.

Yesterday I was looking for a particular item & instead of finding what I was looking for exactly I found this article. It is very interesting so please read it but I will tell you my favorite part just in case you don't read it!

The author is talking about on-farm meat processing and she refers to a story that was featured in the Raleigh News & Observer about our MPU (mobile processing unit). She refers to Lee as " a successful and ingenious North Carolinian, Lee Menius." I LOVE IT!!!

WTF News- September 9, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Sept 9

Another busy week has come and gone and we're nearly a third of the way through September already. Come see us at the markets this week.



Farmers Markets- We're reloaded with our hickory smoked bacon this week but quantities are limited so reserve yours now!!!

Elizabeth Ave Farmers Market (~8:30am- noon)- Our friends Chef Charles Catering, Landis Gourmet Mushrooms, Customshop Restaurant, and Stone Seafood are all in attendance so come visit see us on Elizabeth Ave (1 block back toward uptown from Customshop). Email us an order and we'll have it ready when you get there.

Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.


Salisbury Farmers Market tomorrow. 7am-noon To make sure you get what you want, send us an email & we'll have it ready to pick up.





Upcoming Events:


Sunday Oct 2 5:30 pm - Join us for our first WTF Dinner on the Back Forty. Send the kids to the sitter's and join us as longtime friends and WTF supporters Chefs Trey Wilson & Justin Solomon from Customshop restaurant in Charlotte will serve up so white table cloth food, fine wines, and local brews in a green pasture setting. Dinner will feature our WTF meats and other local foods from local farmers and fishermen. Tickets are $60 and will be for sale at the farmers markets Saturday but seating is limited so make sure & hurry.


Sunday Sept 18- 1- 5pm We're on the Know Your Farms Tour again this year. In conjunction with the tour we will hold an open house so come by and see what's happening. No charge for just visiting our farm!!! We'll have hotdogs, brats, and possibly some BBQ available so fill up your bellies then fill up your freezer with some of our great natural meats. We'll also have a locally made favorite "Uncle Scott's Root Beer " available. No reservations necessary just drop by at 1015 Old Cress Rd Salisbury 28147



Tickets are now on sale for the 3rd Annual Know Your Farms Charlotte Area Farm Tour, Go to www.knowyourfarms.com for ticket info.





We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC

Remembering 9/11

As we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11 we wanted to remember all those that lost their lives during that tragic event & since then defending our country.

WTF News- September 2, 2011

Wild Turkey Farms News- Sept 2

Fall is in the air finally, well sort of. We've had a few nice cool mornings, cooler daytime temps, and even a few leaves changing/ falling though I'm not sure if it's from fall or just an overall lack of water this summer. This lack of water is starting to become a real problem for our grass fed beef production and we really appreciate everyone tolerating our fluctuating stock of beef this summer. Normally our summer pastures can really pack the pounds on them but this year has even been rough on the weeds which have been drying up. Hopefully we'll have a better fall to finish out our remaining animals and then we can start getting ready for next spring.

As if the hot temps and drought haven't been enough, the corn crop (which is just getting started) is poised to begin at the highest prices I've ever seen (at anytime of the year). When we started raising hogs in 2002 corn was about $2.30 per bushel (that's 56lbs) and soybeans were about $4.50/ bushel. This week's market report has corn at over $8.25/bushel and soybeans at close to $15/bushel and I've heard rumors of $12 corn in Chicago. I joked with another hog producer yesterday that it might be about time to update the resume, but I seriously hope it doesn't come to that just yet. I've been blessed to get to this point in my life where I enjoy my work and have a boss (Domisty) that doesn't beat me up too bad most of the time.


Labor Day is a great time to fire up the grill. Come stock up on chicken, chops, burgers, hotdogs and brats for your holiday weekend (or next hurricane party)!!!


Our Grill Baby Grill Special is back for Labor Day
-Grab a pack of hamburger & pack of American brats for $9.50 or make it hotdogs for $11


Farmers Markets- We're reloaded on the pork chops, ham steaks, brats, and all the pork grilling goodies!!!
Elizabeth Ave Farmers Market (~8:30am- noon)- Our friends Chef Charles Catering, Landis Gourmet Mushrooms, Customshop Restaurant, and Stone Seafood are all in attendance so come visit see us on Elizabeth Ave (1 block back toward uptown from Customshop). Email us an order and we'll have it ready when you get there.

Davidson Farmers Market (8am-noon)- Come find us in the town hall parking lot and stock up on our delicious pork, beef, chicken, and eggs.


Salisbury Farmers Market tomorrow. 7am-noon To make sure you get what you want, send us an email & we'll have it ready to pick up.





Upcoming Events:


Sunday Oct 2 5:30 pm - Join us for our first WTF Dinner on the Back Forty. Send the kids to the sitter's and join us as longtime friends and WTF supporters Chefs Trey Wilson & Justin Solomon from Customshop restaurant in Charlotte will serve up so white table cloth food, fine wines, and local brews in a green pasture setting. Dinner will feature our WTF meats and other local foods from local farmers and fishermen. Tickets are $60 and will be for sale at the farmers markets Saturday but seating is limited so make sure & hurry.


Sunday Sept 18- 1- 5pm We're on the Know Your Farms Tour again this year. In conjunction with the tour we will hold an open house so come by and see what's happening. No charge for just visiting our farm!!! We'll have hotdogs, brats, and possibly some BBQ available so fill up your bellies then fill up your freezer with some of our great natural meats. We'll also have a locally made favorite "Uncle Scott's Root Beer " available. No reservations necessary just drop by at 1015 Old Cress Rd Salisbury 28147



Tickets are now on sale for the 3rd Annual Know Your Farms Charlotte Area Farm Tour, Go to www.knowyourfarms.com for ticket info.





We hope that you'll support some of the chefs & businesses that support us & other local farmers.
Customshop Restaurant- Charlotte
Chef Charles Catering - Charlotte/ DFM/ EFM
Carpe Diem Restaurant- Charlotte
Black Mountain Farmers Market- Black Mountain
Know Your Farms Buying Club- Davidson/Charlotte
The Sweetest Thing- Salisbury
Bread Riot Coop- Salisbury



Thanks for your support, have a great weekend, and we'll see you at the market.

Lee, Domisty, Rosty, & Charlie
Wild Turkey Farms LLC
China Grove, NC