Sharing our farm life with the coMOOOnity

WHAT are they wearing?!

2009-06-29T14:31:00.001-07:00

Have you ever seen a horse wearing this funny looking thing on their face and wondered, "What is that!"

That is a fly mask! Our horses LOVE them! They work like sunglasses so our horses don't have to squint in the sun, and also keep the flies out of the horses' eyes and faces. When they see me coming with the masks, they all trot up and try to be the first to get their mask on. They can see through the masks just like you can see through sunglasses, and there is a nice, woolly padding where their ears poke through and where it goes around their nose. They are super, super comfortable and light weight. I might want one - my sunglasses squeeze my face sometimes!

Our horses have been silly the last couple of days. With all of the renovations to the arena, they've been moved down to a pen near the cows for a while, and there are trees and all sorts of shrubs nearby. Horses (especially our crazy guys) love shrubs! Big Ben, our retired racehorse, was playing with a branch that someone had knocked down. I went to take it away from him and he pulled back - he didn't want me to take his branch away! I pulled a little harder and that's when he decided to let go, and make me stumble backward. He pulled his lip back and trotted away shaking his head - he thought he was being funny! Crazy horses... :)

Say "hay" to Ben!

2009-06-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Meet our newest addition - Ben! He's a BIG boy, coming in at almost 17 hands high at the shoulders. He is so tall, I need to stand on a bucket to get tall enough so I can put my foot in the stirrup to get on!

He is a thoroughbred, and is "off the track" which means he is a retired racehorse. When working in the roundpen, he only likes to go left - which makes sense, because racehorses run in a circle to the left!

He likes to play tricks on us too. When we are filling up his water bucket, he likes to take the hose out of the bucket and then look innocent as the water is going everywhere! He also tries to get hay on the other side of the fence - check out the picture of him bending down! Most horses don't do silly stuff like that...

He is a sweet, sweet horse and we love him!

Say it ain't so!

2009-05-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

Today we had the Christ Lutheran 3rd graders visit us again this year. Being the school that my cousins children attend, I wanted to be out on the Farm to say "hello" to them.

You all know that one of my favorite things to do is to introduce the children to our chickens. Little Ricky, our Mille Fleur D'Uccle rooster is always a huge favorite with everyone. As I hand him to waiting arms of the children..patiently waiting in line, I like to educate them a little about chickens and the parts of their body. Many times I will point to the chicken's comb and ask, "Does anyone one know what this part of it's body is called. I have gotten many responses...His Mohawk! His Crown, His Brush..just to name a few.
Today I was told by a cute young girl, "I don't know what it is called--but it sure looks like my grandpa's skin!"

Well, I'm off to lotion myself...I might remind Hector to do the same.
Glenda

2009-05-19T22:05:00.001-07:00

Superstition Farm is having a little get together on Memorial Day; this Monday May 25th.

We're doing ONE tour at 9am and after the tour, there's gonna be a water-gun fight! BYOWG. (That's Bring Your Own Water Gun). Battle the Farmers or your little brother - it's a free-for-all. Let's start out in the hay maze and see what happens?

We're also going to have a little slip-n-slide action
set up using some of our feed tarps and some good ol' fashion aqua!

We'll celebrate Memorial Day and beat the heat all in the same day! Please try to attend. Regular tour admissions apply. Make plans for some of our home-made ice cream too! Oh goodness, we can hardly wait.

Yeah, baby chicks are coming soon!

2009-05-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

We have some chickens sitting on eggs, we think now for about 20 days. Well....it takes only 21 days for a egg to hatch, so we should have some new baby chicks around the farm soon. Check back to see what happens!!!!

Our baby ducks are starting to grow up!

2009-05-12T16:35:00.000-07:00

Superstition Farm got a video camera recently, and we thought we'd start out by filming our little, "baby" ducks running around, doing their thing. Well, I didn't realize, but these ducks are starting to look like real ducks. They sure grow up fast! They don't have feathers yet, but that's coming soon. We just know it.

Have you herd????

2009-05-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

We've been talking about it...

We've been working on it....

Now we're gonna deliver! Superstition Farm in concert with Mooster's Moo-tique and Udder Delights collectively are offering a new dairy food club. Starting May 9th and continuing every other Saturday, we will be putting together pre-ordered packages of:

+Home-made Ice Cream
+Udder creamy Butter
+Farmer's Cheese from our cow's milk
+Free-range eggs from our hens
+and a Farm-fresh gallon of Milk

Together these items cost $26-$28 in our farm store. Pre-order and pre-pay and you'll get a couple advantages:

*You'll get all these items for only $22
*We'll make YOUR food on Friday night, you pick it up on Saturday morning!!! (Try to get that ANYWHERE else!)
*From time-to-time we'll offer ONLY to pre-paid customers a special, limited-edition, low-run product that change from month-to-month. How about a cherry mint ice cream? Mango butter? And there's more. These will only be offered to our loyal, pre-order customers. So be a part of the herd!

Get moo-ving, the hens only make so many eggs each day!

Visit http://www.superstitionfarmtours.com/organic.html to order.

A Sad day....

2009-05-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

Our little lamb has been sick. We put him on a several medications and moved him to my back porch. This afternoon I checked on him and he was trembling and I felt something was going wrong. It’s something you learn being around animals. They cannot talk, but they have a way of communicating.

So, I picked him up and cradled him and gave him attention. He loved that. I took him inside my house and made a bed for him in my living room. I set up a fan to blow on him. I worried he was trembling from a fever. We hung out together for a few hours. Not knowing what else to do I got a cold washcloth and put it on his head – that’s what my mom did to me when I was a sick “kid.”

Later, he got up unexpectedly. I got down in his bedding and put him back down. He was weak. He stopped trembling, which made me nervous. I stroked him and talked to him for a little while. He then gave me a look I have seen many times in my life. He shook a little bit. I picked him up and rubbed his little body hard. I spoke loudly to him to try and shake him out of it.

Little Lambchop stopped breathing. I rubbed his little chest and even gave him little lamb CPR. His heart stopped. I couldn’t revive him.

Having all the animals we do, this kind of thing has played out hundreds of times on our farm over my lifetime. There have been many sad days here – but also many triumphs too. It is a part of the job that holds the highest satisfaction and accomplishment when things turn out and the deepest frustration and a jumble of emotions when things go bad.

Our little rescue baby premature runt of a lamb struck something in all of us. He was here for a short time, but loved by my family, the farm team and many families. You will outlive your animals. There is a mixture of emotions when one dies before it’s time. I hate to see animals in pain and suffering. You want them to be happy and fulfill their purpose on this world – whether it be eventually harvested or solely here to educate and petted by our guests.

I was certain Lambchop was going to be ok, that he was going to pull through – even while I was blowing air in his lungs. It wasn’t meant to be. You will be missed my wooly little friend.

Farmer Casey

SUPERSTITION FARM MAKES HUGE SHOWING AT AZCENTRAL.COM

2009-04-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

East Valley farm is a ‘Down Home Delight’ say voters at AZCentral.com

Mesa, AZ—Friends and fans of Superstition Farm in east Mesa have cast their votes in ‘The Best of AZCentral.com’ and in doing so, made a huge impact for local business. Beating out some of the valley’s most popular and established attractions and entertainment venues, Superstition Farm has once again proven that they offer quality, family entertainment, fun-filled annual events and mooo-velous activities that are educational for children and adults.

The Stechnij family’s working dairy farm sets the gold standard in engaging agri-tainment. Farm tours via vintage hay wagon, an interactive petting zoo, a colorful organic garden, recycling in action and the activities of a real working dairy farm in action are just some of the many activities to be enjoyed at Superstition Farm. Western-style horseback riding lessons are also available year-round.

Mooster’s Mooo-tique at Superstition Farm offers the most unique, whimsical and adorable farm-related gifts, along with a variety of local foods such as farm fresh eggs, artisan cheeses, homemade butter, pastas, jellies and so much more. The gift selection at Mooster’s consistently leave their guests ‘clucking’, ‘mooo-ing’ and ‘squealing’ with delight!

Superstition Farm has been a specialty destination for many years and is open to the public for school tours, birthday parties and other special events. Superstition Farm is located at 3440 S. Hawes Road in Mesa, just north of Elliot and west of the 202 loop.

Baby lamb

2009-04-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

This was a crazy week for us on the farm. We had 2 baby chicks hatch, and true story, the chicks were hatched by a duck!! And then...we had 6 baby ducks born. You guessed it, they we hatched by 3 chickens! Funny.
Well, then we had a baby piggy delivered to us. He is black and white and mud all over. Definately cute.
Finally, the week wouldn't be complete unless we got a baby lamb out here. Soooo, we got a baby lamb. He is SUPER cute and fuzzy. You've GOT TO come see him

Well folks, we'll check back in soon.

See ya on the farm!

Ostrich Farm Tour

2009-03-31T22:55:00.001-07:00

Well, we decided to let someone else do a tour for once! On our way through Picacho Peak we visited Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Ranch. It was a blast! Alison, Jason, baby Chloe and I fed baby deer, was pinched by craxy ostriches and accosted by colorful Lorikeets. They also have "DonkeyTown" where they have about 15 minis - including a little baby mini donkey. I hate to say it, but the baby may be the cutest thing - ever.

We met the owner, "Rooster" as he heard us screaming like babies in the Lorikeet aviary. Although we have lots of chickens on the farm, it was a new expirience going in the aviary and being covered with birds. He is a real character and we actually spent over an hour talking to him about our respective ventures and adventures. In fact, we left as friends.

If you are heading back East or to The Old Pueblo, take 15-20 minutes (he really doesnt want people to spend more time than that - heehee) out of your roadtrip and visit his ranch. It is a wonderful roadside attraction and you will not find anything like it anywhere. Tell 'em Superstition Farm sent ya.....
hhttp://www.roostercogburn.com/

Arizona Ag Day At Superstition Farm!!!

2009-02-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

Did you know Arizona Agriculture is a $9.2 Billion Dollar Industry??? Come to Superstition Farm on Saturday, March 7th to see a piece of it!

Superstition Farm will be once again opening its doors to the public for one very special day! We'll have our hay ride going and our petting zoo open! Our riding horses will be giving rides, there will be fun, educational activities for all ages, and a $1 Farmer's Lunch! How can you beat that??? Other highlights will include a local chef cook-off, an ice cream eating contest, and artistic and educational activities.

Admission is only $2 per person (Kids 12 and under FREE!!!) or bring 3 cans of food to donate to Arizona Food Banks and admission is FREE!

Bring your family, friends and neighbors and MOOOOOOVE it on down to our farm! We'll be open to the public from 9am - 3 pm!

Any questions, call 602-432-6865 or email us at info@superstitionfarm.com

Reunite the Family at Superstition Farm!

2009-02-23T10:05:00.000-08:00

We had the nicest time with a HUGE family out here last week that had gathered at our farm for a family reunion. What a great place to meet up with extended family you haven't seen in awhile! Big kids and little kids alike enjoyed the classroom, hayride, petting zoo and milk bar (chocolate is still the favorite flavor!). They brought a big picnic lunch and shared cookies with all the farmers - we sure appreciated it!

The kids were able to pet and brush our goats (Carmichael LOVED it!) under the watchful eye of their parents who relaxed at our picnic tables just a few yards away. The kids had such a great time in our playhouse and with our animals, the grownups were able to really talk and catch up.

Superstition Farm is a great place for any family gathering for many reasons. It's interactive - your family isn't just staring at a screen; they're talking, relating, holding and feeding animals and learning about the farm. It's more personal - we're not spread far and wide like a zoo. We're family oriented and all about having fun on the farm! Give us a call or an email to set up your own special family get together!

THOUGHTS IN MY HEAD...

2009-02-16T01:33:00.000-08:00

I was just thinking of the nice mom that brought her 6 children to visit the farm yesterday. As her kids were running around the Animal Expo area, she had several questions about the farm and I enjoyed answering them and talking to her.

She then asked about my thoughts on all the salmonella recently found in foods from around the country. This was my chance to BRAG on our milk products. I asked her if she had ever heard of a milk recall. I assured her that our Arizona milk was safe. It goes through many tests to insure its safety before it gets in the grocery dairy case. I explained the procedures we had on the farm to make certain a cow that had been treated with any medications does not get mixed up with the healthy cows. I told her of the consequences we would face if we did allow any type of residues in our farm's milk and how that milk would NEVER make its way for public consumption.

As we finished our conversation, I could feel the pride I had knowing we provided our citizens with such a wonderful dairy product.

:o) Glenda

HEARTBREAKING NEWS

2009-02-13T15:43:00.000-08:00

It is a sad day here at Superstition Farm. We lost our old friend and companion, Redbone this morning.

Redbone has been a Stechnij Family fixture for 17 years. Redbone, like many of our animals here at Superstition Farm was a "rescue" animal. We didn't find Redbone, he found us. He and his sister were dumped out in our desert and they found their way here to the farm. He was a skinny young dog. His sister had been hit by a car and needed medical attention. We found a home for her and we decided to keep the red male dog. He had his red coat and was very thin. Hector named him Redbone and his name always fit him.

Redbone was not the smartest young dog and often mischievous . One day he disappeared. We couldn't find him anywhere. Alison was so upset. She made a cardboard sign writing "Lost-red pup-we miss him a lot". She left our address and phone number and hung it on a telephone pole on Elliot Road. A short time later a nice young man came walking up to our front door with this big red bundle in his arms. Countless times over the years we would find him with cuts and bruises from fights with the local coyotes.

Redbone always thought he needed to be "working" when we were around him. We would come outside and he would be sleeping under the old shade tree. When he saw us, he would jump up and grab the first thing he found on the ground and carry it in his mouth. It might be a stick, a leaf, a piece of paper..one time it was a Bic pen another time it was a cigarette butt..he just felt he needed to act busy for us.

As the years passed, his red coat was replaced with white hair. He loved going to our cabin in Lakeside each summer. I think he appreciated getting away from the heat and reuniting with his youth. I loved seeing this old man running through the forest sniffing at new smells and rolling in the leaves.

When we opened up the farm for tours Redbone was always there to greet the guests. The thousands of children that have visited us got to see the cows, horses, chickens, turkey, donkey, bunnies and goats on the farm. Many times as the children were leaving I would ask, "Which was your favorite farm animal today?" I cannot count the times that the response was, "The DOG!" He loved the children and we never had to worry about him biting or snipping at them. He had a special way of making you pet him. When your hands were at your side, he would walk up and put his head under your hands. Many times I would see a group of children squatting on the ground..in the middle of the huddle was Redbone enjoying all the attention.

I think he had a good life here at Superstition Farm. He certainly showed us that the term 'Rescue Animal" does not pertain to the animal itself. He was the animal that rescued us and became a vital part of our family. He was a devoted friend and showed us unconditional love.

He will be missed.

Meet M&M!

2009-02-13T14:30:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard that if a horse is laying down, they're sick? Not true! Sometimes horses lay down just to rest, and that's just what I caught our horse M&M doing last week! She was sleeping so deeply, I was able to open my truck door and get my camera and she didn't even move!

M&M is a sixteen year old Arabian/Morgan cross who loves kids as much as she loves to sleep. M&M is a mare, which is what we call girl horses. She is a favorite amongst the students because of her small size and her adorable face. M&M is what is called a "flea bitten gray" because of her brown spots all over her body.

M&M used to barrel race before coming to Superstition Farm. Barrel racing is run in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. Fastest time wins! M&M loves to turn quickly with the intermediate students - it reminds her of her racing days! M&M is also great with the beginners - she's sweet and calm. She's an awesome all around horse! M&M is so popular with the students, I've had to do rock-paper-scissors to figure out which student will ride her for that day. M&M's best friend on the farm is Chad, our 22 year old Thoroughbred gelding. Check back for more about Chad!

Rachel

Rachel Sabrowsky, Riding Instructor!

2009-01-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Sabrowsky and I am proud to be Superstition Farm's Riding Instructor and horse trainer! I have been working part time at the Farm for about a year now, but just recently have been able to quit my boring office job and come to the farm full time. I am excited to be able to do what I love all day long!

I grew up in a tiny logging and farming community named Sedro-Woolley, WA. I was lucky enough to grow up out in the country with a horse, chickens, geese, pigs, dogs and cats and two sisters. We spent our days out and about, exploring and being "pioneers" with our pets. We picked wild blackberries, built forts under the trees, and there were many times when my mom wouldn't see us until it was dark!

My horse was a BIG quarter horse with a smidge of Percheron named Abendigo. That was always too long to say, so we just called him Ben, or Benny. He still lives on my parents' property in Sedro-Woolley, just enjoying life, but this last winter, I think he would have liked to move to Arizona to be with me - Sedro-Woolley was covered in snow! He is getting older, and will live out his days with my mom and dad.

In Sedro-Woolley, there is a major festival called the Loggerodeo. It's part logging exhibition, part rodeo, all fun! I spent years as a part of this fun festival - some years as part of the grand entry flag team, and one year as rodeo queen! I also tried as a barrel racer, and my horse wanted me to be a roper...but I was never very successful. He could sure chase the cows though!

Four years ago, I decided to have an adventure and move to Arizona. After missing horses and wishing every day that I could be with them again, I met Casey and Ali, and came on as their horse trainer at Superstition Farm. We started with just one riding horse, and now are up to six riding horses with one in training!

I am at the farm every day, doing what I love to do - and that is working with horses and kids! I get to drive the tractor sometimes too, and am learning more and more about the cows every day.

We have 8 crazy horses, and each has their own personality and quirks. Check back for more about them!

Have a Great Holiday From Superstition Farm

2008-12-28T09:22:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, it doesn't matter of course,

We all work on the farm, even "Lover" our horse;

The ducks sat on nests in the haystack with care,

In hopes that St. Milk-olas soon would be there;

The chickens were nestled all snug in a row,

While dreaming of juicy worms made their beaks crow;

The goats ate mamma's 'kerchief, the same with my cap,

We needed new PJ's for our long winter's nap,

When out on the cowshades there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a rabbit,

A coyote in the henhouse? I swear I will nab it!

The moon shown over the beautiful desert

Gave the lustre of mid-day my eyes they did measure,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature milk truck, and eight tiny heifer,

With a little old milk truck driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Milk.

More rapid than hawks his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and moo-ed them by name;

"Now, Bossie! now, Clover! now, Buttercup and Roxi!

On, Elsie! on Maggie! on, Taurus on Daisy!

To the top of the porch! They just missed my donkey!

Good thing he's a mini - cute lil Picante!"

As mesquite leaves that before the wild dust devil fly,

As graceful as geese they mount to the sky,

So up to the farmhouse-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of bottles, and St. Milk-olas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Milk came - along with his hound.

He was dressed all in fur, I can picture it now,

His clothes were all covered like the spots of a cow;

Gallons of milk he had flung on his back,

Even his hound Redbone got into the act.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were strawberry ice cream, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a seam,

And the beard of his chin looked like whip cream;

The stump of a straw he held tight in his teeth,

Im sure he could drink any milk underneath;

He had a broad smiling face and a little belly below,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jell-o.

He reminded me of a turkey all chubby and plump,

And I laughed when I saw him, I fell on my rump!

A wink of his eye reminded me of Carmichael,

Happiness and laughter in my mind I could recycle;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

He filled glasses of milk and then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney with Redbone;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team I knew soon,

him and those cows would be over the moon.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"Moo-ey Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Dear Friends,

It has been a wonderful and exciting year. Thank you all for cherished memories and supporting our farm. We are taking a few days off to be together. Please visit our website for our Cow-liday hours. We look forward to seeing you all again real soon. Happy Cow-lidays and Happy Moo Year!

All the best to you and your family,

Redbone, Lover, Carmichael, Miss Alison, Brownie, Farmer Jason, Cookie, Cupcake, Miss MJ, Oreo, Picante, Farmer John, Kramer, Sugar, Farmer Casey, Cocoa, Miss Glenda, Speck, Einstein, Farmer Hector, Snickers, Farmer Larry, the Chickens, the Horses, the Rabbits, the Ducks (and Geese), the Cows and the rest of the Superstition Farm Team.

Preschool teacher BLOG

2008-12-03T22:20:00.000-08:00

Early in the month we had preschoolers from SUMC (Scottsdale United Methodist Church) visit our farm. One of the teachers, Mrs. Velarde sent us a link to her blog that I would love to share. Thanks Marin!!

http://diaryofapreschoolteacher.blogspot.com/2008/11/dairy-farm.html

WHEW!

2008-12-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

What an amazing fall season for Superstition Farm. Last year we were really pleased with our support, but this year "knocked out socks off!" Along with our MooMoo Palooza last month, we had well over 10,000 folks visit our farm. We are getting nothing but positive feedback from our guests. We have received tons of thank-you notes from our students..and we guarantee we read each one. Their artwork and spelling are always creative.

We love seeing the smiles on the children's faces when they get a tickle from one of our goats or a little tongue lick from our old gentleman horse, Lover. We enjoy watching them gently petting one of our rabbits and we can see the pride in their faces when they are brave enough to hold a big hen. It is exciting to see them climb up on the hay wagon anticipating a fun ride and huge smiles as they exit the haymaze. We chuckle when we see them with a milk mustache or ice cream littered on their faces.

Thank you to all the little kids that I have asked, "What was your favorite thing on the farm today?" and their answer is, "EVERYTHING!"

Funny things kids say....

2008-10-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

We get so many amazing, cute sayings out of the mouths of children visiting our farm. We keep saying we should write a book about them. I want to share a cute one that I heard today.

I was standing out around the goats with some children today. One little girl was brushing and petting Carmichael, our LaMancha goat. Trying to make conversation, I asked her, "Do you love Carmichael?" Before she could answer me, another little boy standing nearby, sternly asked me, "How do you know my name?" I couldn't imagine naming a cute little boy Carmichael, so I asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "Carter Michael". I am still smiling about Carter.

Wascally Wabbits!!

2008-10-05T15:11:00.000-07:00

We wanted a pumpkin patch so bad this year! We planted seeds and the vines started growing. As it turns out rabbits LOVE pumpkins. Do you see where this story is going? So anyway, no pumpkin patch this year. However, we did come up with something we think is almost as good - PUMPKIN ICE CREAM! We are working on some great fall flavors at Udder Delights including pumpkin ice cream, cheese cake and fudge. Yes fudge!

So come on out to the farm. We did get some great pumpkins from our friend Todd at Our Organics (http://www.superstitionfarmtours.com/organic.html) and you can come out to the farm, pick one out and decorate it out here with your family. We will also be doing garden tours for anyone purchasing a pretty pumpkin. I know nobody wants to see where the rabbit buffet was, but we do have some other great plants, vines and gourds growing in our community garden.

Also do come check out our "Big Mac" pumpkin - its huge! And you can get it for only $1. Buy a raffle ticket for $1 and get a chance to win this superb specimen. Buy $20 in raffle tickets and get a free pumpkin - what a deal! All proceeds from the raffle go to our garden and Xeriscape projects. Im seeing a pumpkin lock down project in our future.

So, sadly no pumpkin patch at the farm this year, but we think this is a lot more fun anyway.

Farmer Casey

Baby Chloé has arrived!

2008-10-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

After the long hot miserable summer...Chloé Rose has arrived!! She was born on August 17th at 12:55pm after 18 hours of labor by c-section. She weighed 7lbs 11oz and was 20 inches long. After taking a month off from the farm to recuperate we are back at work. The picture above is her first day at work...resting in a milk crate. She is our first child and my parents first grandchild. We are so excited about her arrival....now if only we can get her to sleep at night.

New babies!

2008-10-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

Two of our ducks, Nicole and Taffy, have been sitting on nests for about a month now. We went out this morning and heard little peeps coming from Nicole's nest. One had hatched and by the end of the day there was three! We checked on Taffy and she too, had hatched one little duckling! Hopefully there will be more tomorrow!

From Farm to Fork

2008-09-16T00:10:00.000-07:00

Psst! yeah you. Wanna try some handmade cheese? How about some butter? As you may know, Superstition Farm and Udder Delights are starting a organic food buying club (sign up here! http://www.superstitionfarmtours.com/organic.html. We have been working on some butter and cheese recipes to offer all our friends on the farm and Udder Delights. We are at the point of getting some products out in limited quantities while the final details are ironed out and we go through the regulations of becoming a food manufacturer.

Currently, one can purchase nest run eggs at the farm and Udder Delights. Did you know all our baked goods at Udder are made with our eggs fresh from the farm? We also only use milk from the farm cooperative in our foods and at our 30 flavor Milk Bar. You can also buy real milk at both places - when was the last time you had real whole milk?!

So to our friends we are offering up a special treat. Sign up for the organic buying club and get some special treats! We will be giving away some farmstead handmade butter and cheese to all our friends who join the club. We want your feedback! Tell us what your taste buds tell you! We are excited about offering up some unique products and flavors - Agave butter, anyone? Rosemary cheese? Get in my belly!

If you are not able to join the club, send me an email. While delicious, tasty and nutritious organic foods are not for everyone, dairy products certainly are! If you are interested in some local artisan butter, cheese and ice cream (special flavors not found at Udder Delights) let me know and I can keep you all updated.

Be a part of a our local movement. Your taste buds will never be the same.

Farmer Casey

Party Time!

2008-09-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

We had our first birthday party of the new season today. When the reservation was made last month it sure was hot! We were pleased to wake up this morning wishing we had a sweater when we did our morning chores. Ok, it was probably in the low 70's - but this is Arizona......

Sherene (my best friend and partner at Udder Delights) and I interviewed a pastry chef - Jamie. As luck would have it, she applied for the job as we were getting ready for the party. Her interview was to decorate these cakes! The theme was farm-ey as the family actually has a ranch in New Mexico. How did she do? We hired her! :)

The family enjoyed the farm tour and animals. Yes, Carmichael was on his best behaviour today - although he was trying to pass his goat droppings to kids as Milk Duds. Some went in our arena to ride the horses while udders camped out on the hayride as a comfy home base.

We had a photographer from the San Tans News come out to take some photos they will use for a story about our farm. Gordon Murray aka "Flash Gordon" (I swear I am not making this up!) came out and saw the party, our local food tasting we prepared for our Organic Food Club and sampled some of our homemade Ice Cream. I wonder if Carmichael will make ANOTHER news story?! I need his publicist......

Animals Eating Hay and Whey?

2008-09-12T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today I made some fresh cheese from our cows. It was a Queso Fresco with garlic and pepper - yummy! When I finished I had some whey left over. I took some to Redbone and he drank some. Handsome the Turkey also liked it. He would stick his whole head in the bowl to get a drink. Turkies are not that smart, fyi....

So since everyone else was liking it, I took the last 3 gallons over to the goats. Now, they say goats eat everything. This is true. As it turns out a group of goats will eat everything; individual goats can be picky eaters - just hang around Charmichael for a day and you will see (yes to eating children's hats, no to brocolli, for example).

So everyone turned their nose up to the whey. Except Cupcake. I watched him drink some and he liked it. I came back later and it seems this tiny little goat drank all three gallons. His stomach was so huge! He was laying on his back and tried to get up to greet me - but he couldn't roll past his big gut and ended upsidedown! Like a turtle he couldnt flip himself back the other way.

There is a happy ending. After I wiped away my tears from laughing so hard, I went inside his pen and helped him back onto his hooves. He thanked me by trying to eat one of my socks. Good ole Cupcake.....

Organic fruits and veggies you can afford!

2008-07-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

Today I met Dave. He has started an organic food buying club. Currently, people have to drive to Central Phoenix to pick up his wonderful goods. Believe me, it is worth the trip! But here is some good news! Udder Delights and Superstition Farm will be the official East Valley pick up points for his organic buying club.

We are SO excited to partner up with him and offer pickup points for the East Valley. Along with great produce and fruit he provides, Udder Delights and Superstition Farm will be offering other treats for our friends. In the future you will be able to pick up farmstead cheeses, handmade butter, delicious desserts, nest run eggs and other surprises.

I have been wanting to do something like this for over a year now. It has been difficult to find any local farmers in the valley who can take on any more work. They are already too busy! In fact many CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) are full and do not take any new customers. The best part of joining this club versus a CSA is you do not share in a crop loss if there is a disaster on a farm. You will "pay as you go."

Please support this idea. The food is beautiful and much more affordable than buying at a retail location. If you want to sign up or want any further information, drop us an email to get the started. http://ourorganics.weebly.com/

Farmer Casey

Superstition Farm Organic Garden

2008-07-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 11, 2008

Today at the Superstition Farm Organic Garden, we began tidying up to prepare for tomorrow’s Mesquite Pancake Breakfast! Inside the garden, we cut down the dried up plants and composted them. As well as this, the clubhouse (or “Bunkhouse” as we learned it was called) had its trim painted and fixed (see picture). Laurie spray-painted the metal fence a charming purple to go along with it. To go inside the Bunkhouse, Suean and I stopped by her house to get a nice shelving unit. It worked perfectly for holding some of our gardening equipment!

When we first arrived at the garden, Suean pointed out something that was intriguing. A few weeks ago, we had built a pumpkin patch with mulch that “shaded” the soil. After it rained yesterday, we found that though the mulch looked wet, the soil underneath was completely dry! Also, some of our pumpkin plants that had sprouted were being eaten! We suspect that the culprits were the squash bugs in the area.

After all of our work in the garden was complete, we helped to set up for the Pancake Breakfast by putting out folding tables, sweeping the floor, and bringing out recycle bins. We cut the tops off of old water bottles and used them as vases for some flowers we grew in the garden. They made a great decoration for the tables! I can’t wait until tomorrow; hope to see you there!

~Sammy J.

Organic Garden at Superstition Farm

2008-07-10T10:52:00.001-07:00

Today, the Superstition Farm Organic Garden Team fixed up a
wonderful old shed to add to our front walkway! First, we had to fill
in the cracks with drywall putty. We tried to lift our shed and put
it in the place we wanted, but it ended up being MUCH heavier than it
looked! We called on Juan to bring in the forklift and help us move
it. Thanks to his fabulous driving and precise adjustments, we
managed to get the shed in the perfect place in front of the garden.
Afterward, Juan used a chain and hook to attach the roof to the
forklift too and put it on top of the shed.

Next, we painted the shed. On the top portion, we slapped on a coat
of light blue. On the bottom, pale orange. We tested out a pretty
purple color for the trim, and it worked out nicely. After many dips
into the paint buckets, we stepped back and looked at our work from
afar. Once a run down old shed, now a beautiful clubhouse!

Hope to see you next time!

~Sammy J.

Duck Eggs!

2008-06-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

I was worried about our newer duck! I couldn't find her and was afraid that something might have happened to her...what if one of those mean coyotes got her?? Imagine the relief I felt when I was feeding Lover the Horse and found her sitting in his little haystack! She was sitting on 8 eggs!..I think one of them is a chicken egg! She will be sitting patiently for the next 3 weeks. Perhaps then we will have some little duck soldiers strutting around. We will post some photos.

Farm Bureau Employees "Fill The Milk Can" For Heifer International

2008-03-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

Our Muffin is famous!

Farm Bureau Employees Raise More Than $500 For Heifer International With “Fill the Milk Can” Penny Drive

Arizona Farm Bureau (AZFB) and Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS) employees recently raised $517.17 for Heifer International by holding a “Fill the Milk Can” penny drive. The penny drive, started in January, ran through the first part of March.

The Employee Activity Committee (EAC), which is made up of employees from both AZFB and FBFS, took on the challenge to assist Arizona 4-H Clubs purchase an “Animal Ark” through Heifer International. An “Animal Ark” is 15 pairs of breeding livestock which will be sent to impoverished villages in third-world countries to provide food and income.

The employees were challenged to fill an antique milk can with change in order to raise at least $250. When the $250 goal was exceeded, managers from both entities pitched in another $250 which boosted the total to $500; another $17.17 was also donated. The $517.17 check was presented to Arizona 4-H during AZFB’s Arizona Agriculture Day, which was held at Schnepf Farms last Saturday.

For more information about the penny drive or other activities planned by the EAC, please contact Bridgette Crosby, EAC Chair at 480-635-3606 or via email at Bridgettecrosby@azfb.org.

Photo: Farm Bureau employees in Gilbert gather to celebrate the successful “Fill the Milk Can” penny drive with Muffin the cow, from nearby Superstition Farms.

BAD OREO!

2008-02-25T11:35:00.000-08:00

Oreo jumped out of his pen and got into a feed bag! The joke was on him!

Easter Pictures!

2008-02-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

LOOK! Its our bunny Freckles! If you need any Easter pictures taken with Freckles please contact Kara Hendricks.
Kara Hendricks Photography
www.karahendricksphotography.com
480-857-1778

Blog by Max d'Estries

2008-02-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you Max for coming out to our farm!

http://futurenow.sudsandsweat.com/2008/01/03/tour-of-superstition-farm/print/

Happy Halloween!!!

2007-10-31T19:43:00.000-07:00

Franken-Bandit (our preemie calf with one eye) and Jack-O-Oreo (our Nigerian Dwarf goat) wants to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! Please be safe!!

Channel 3 Moos

2007-09-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

What a fun Tuesday morning! Channel 3 and Dan Davis came and spent the morning doing the weather on the farm and promoting the Rural Route Festival which is this Saturday the 15th! Sam Bush, one of the girls who takes horse lessons on the farm, stole the show as she talks about the milk bar. Thank you to all of our horse lesson girls for coming out that morning and struttin your stuff on your horses and to their families. Also Thank You to Kokobelli's for bringing out the awesome bagels and coffee! And as always, we couldn't do most of the things we do without the help from Jenna Davi and Ethan Brody, Highland High School students, who are so dedicated to Superstition Farm! Thanks Everyone! We still have some tickets available to the Film Festival, so if you haven't got them yet....please go to our website and pick them up!

Films on Farm!

2007-09-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

We are preparing for the first event of the new season. It is the Rural Route Film Festival. "No Festival Required" is leaving their usual digs in DownTown Phoenix to try something new. We love the arts here on the farm and hope our neighbors and community respond for events like this. Looks like Channel 3 agrees! Brad Perry is scheduled to come out on Sept 11! He has allergies and hay fever - so wish us luck! Tune in and see what we have in store!

FOR RELEASE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9 2007

No Festival Required and Superstition Farm presents

“Selections from The Rural Route Film Festival”
Saturday, September 15 2007
$10. Admission barn opens at 7 pm show at 8 pm hayrides until ?
Hayrides Antique Tractor Petting Zoo and Indie Cinema
Dairy Products Drinks and Snacks For Sale
Superstition Farms 3440 S. Hawes Rd. Mesa AZ 85212
Website http://SuperstitionFarm.com
Film Info-http://www.nofestivalrequired.com
Films have adult content and are suggested for mature audience only

The Rural Route Film Festival was created to highlight works that deal with rural people and places. The creators of Rural Route Film Festival leave it up to the film and video artists to explain their own definition of "rural." Great shorts, high-quality works from all over the world are submitted and carefully selected for this show.

Subjects include a threatened cooperative farm in downtown Los Angeles, Canadian small-town zombies, a stirring mockumentary of the unsung mimes of the prairies, and understanding fast talking auctioneers and their role in the vanishing family farm.

The film screens in a wonderful setting-The Superstition Farm, a family dairy farm with over 1,000 dairy cattle. The admission includes hayrides, dairy nighttime tour, a petting zoo and an antique tractor display. With cows lowing in the background, enjoy quality independent cinema on hay-bale seating in an outdoor air-cooled barn!

Come early for the sunset milk toast!
A Night To Remember!

so check out filmsonfarms.com and get you and your friends a ticket - limited seating!

Usual Morning with Some of the Animals

2007-07-11T07:50:00.001-07:00

Bird Bras???

2007-07-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

So I went out this morning to let the chickens, turkey and ducks out of their coop and I was so worried because the coop was FULL of feathers! I thought something got into the coop during the night and attacked one of our precious birds!! But I guess its that time of year where they all start molting! Oh NO! It starts in their breast area as you can see on Sugar. Luckily she still thinks that she is beautiful! Does anyone know where we can get bras for our naked breasted ladies? Interesting molting facts.....

Birds must spend a great deal of time caring for their feathers, since their lives depend on them. Preening, bathing, dusting, and other feather care operations, however, cannot prevent the feathers from wearing out. Because formed feathers (like our fingernails) are lifeless, horny structures, incapable of being repaired, worn feathers must be replaced. This process of replacement is termed molting. The old, worn feathers are loosened in their follicles (sockets) by the growth of new intruding feathers, which eventually push them out. Molting occurs in regular patterns over a bird's body. The adaptiveness of such patterns can be illustrated by the arboreal woodpeckers, which retain the key inner pair of long tail feathers used in bracing and climbing until the outer feathers have been replaced. This is the reverse of the pattern found in most birds, which molt tail feathers from the center of the tail first, and then progressively toward each side. The majority of adult birds molt once or twice a year, and the temporal pattern, not unexpectedly, is related to the wear rate on the feathers. Feathers of species that migrate enormous distances or live in thick brush, dodging among twigs and spines, wear more rapidly than those of birds resident in one place or live in open country. The former tend to molt twice a year, and the latter only once.

New Friends to Our Family!

2007-06-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

Even though we had a really sad week and lost some of our feathered friends...we gained a couple more to add to our family! Dana, our horse camp instructor, brought over her little pygmy goat and her super cute donkey, Picante. My brother saved three lives on teh dairy by helping a momma holstein cow deliver her twins! That's right...she had a male and a female, one is black and white and the other is brown and white!

Losing Parts of Our Family

2007-06-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

This has been a very sad week for us here on the farm. We have lost a lot of our animals who we loved so much. We had nine of the cutest and sweetest baby ducks....we found four of them dead in our yard and three of them we never found. We now have two left. We believe this was from a dog that strayed onto the farm. A few days later I noticed two of the three roosters were missing along with one of our adult ducks. We have not a clue what happened to these three. Last night we lost one of our beautiful Buff Orpington hens. She was acting "depressed" yesterday so we brought her into the house and my brother gave her penicillin. The poor girl didnt last through the night. All we can hope is that we gave these animals the best life that they could possibly have. We miss them all very much.