News and blog

I am not sure I have ever looked forward to fall with such glee and happiness.  We are winding down our busy season here.  With only 250 more meat birds still on pasture and our egg layers ramping up their egg production, it is truly a sweet season.  Everyone (birds and humans) are enjoying the cooler weather.     The kids and I have decided to open up the doors of the chicken tractors and let our sweet birds roam the land.   We have encircled each tractor or set of tractors with 165’ of electric netting and are letting them day range on that piece of land.  We had happy birds before, but now they are truly able to express their chicken-ness and peck and hunt to their hearts content.   What this has done for your farm family is give us a much needed break from moving our 200 pound chicken tractors daily.  We are now moving them 1-2 times a week, depending on the grass selections in the area.

As many of you know, we have now moved our farm to County Line Rd in Harlem.  This location has been ideal for us!  It is not only closer to our home, but will provide us the much needed room to grow our farm.  The land at this location does provide us with a new challenge as it is a sloped pasture and therefore has made for a much more challenging time in moving the chicken tractors.   We have 4 acres in open pastureland and 11 more in scrub brush and forest.   Part of our challenges, being new farmers, is the lack of equipment, and the lack of money to buy large equipment.  When we started farming in February it was not only to provide our family and yours with great quality food, but to earn a little extra income so that Ray would not have to work a second job to support our family.  It was a way that myself and our kids could give back to him and have him home with us more often.   Ray works long hours with the Army and we miss him while he is at work.   Unfortunately, we have not met our goals yet!  We were not able to put in the garden that we wanted last year at the previous location.  We spent a lot of time building our chicken tractors, and fighting the fast growing pastures.  At our previous location we were dependent on the farmer/owner to cut the grass in front of our chickens.   This was not the original agreement, but as we were new to this we weren’t sure what to do with the land and there was no opportunity to put any other animals on the 2 acres we were leasing.    Let’s just say that Farming has a HUGE learning curve, and we still have a lot to learn. 

So here is our new plan- taking into account what we have learned in this last year and re-evaluating what we want to accomplish.

1.  We are going to try and serve a smaller community of families that want quality food that we have grown.  We are thinking 20-30  CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) families.  Selling any excess through Augusta.Locallygrown.net and an occasional Farmers Market.   This will give us more time on the farm to work on the garden and spend with our animals.
2. We will continue with our chickens for meat and eggs, but will bring down our production so that we are producing enough for our CSA members
3. In December we will be getting piglets. Our plan is to raise them in paddocks separate from our other animals where they can root and turn the soil.  We have a 2 acre patch of land that sits separate from our pastures that is wooded and this is where the pigs will make their home.   I will be accepting deposits on whole and half hog shares in November.  A whole hog deposit will be $200 and you can expect to receive 160-180 pounds of meat cut to your liking.  Your deposit will help the farm buy the electric net fencing, feed, and housing for these piglets.  We are expecting the average cost per pound will be $3-$3.50 a pound and that will be dependent on how much feed they go through, and how much the processing will be for your pig.   A half a hog deposit will be $100 and you will get about 80-90 pounds of meat cut to your liking.
4. We will be planting half an acre of vegetables this spring and hope to have some for each of our CSA members if they want them.  I hesitate to make it a garden CSA yet, but probably will in the following years.  
5. In an effort to avoid buying heavy equipment (tractor), we are going to be getting goats and sheep in the spring.  However, we are of limited resources at this time and we will be looking for help from our customers in order to buy these.  We are considering asking for deposits on goats and lambs in order to get started.  The deposit will help us get the animals and supplies to get started and then you would get to choose how you processed your animal and choose the cuts you want.  I need to finalize the numbers for this and will get back to you soon about prices.  I would love to hear back from you if you are interested in goats or sheep. 
6. I want to tell you a little more about what I am doing to further my knowledge about farming.    I have contacted Georgia Organics and they have assisted me in finding a mentor to guide me with my farming questions and help me to grow our farm.   Ray and I will be attending the Southern SAWG (Sustainable Agriculture Working Group) conference in Tennessee in January and we will be taking courses in Organic Vegetable Production, Management Intensive Grazing for your animals, and many other informative classes and workshops surrounding farming.  We have been visiting farms and taking tours in order to familiarize ourselves with the options available to us.  It has been amazing the ingenuity of these farmers have.   I keep reading everything I can get my hands on about sustainable farming practices and learn more everyday just by doing the farm chores.  

I want to tell you all how much I appreciate your continued support of our farm.  We are striving to provide a good life for our animals and great food for our customers.     We still have chicken for sale and a few more turkeys too.   Feel free to contact me at any time!               

Angela & Ray Magney and kids

706-564-6757

and you are not close enough to make a convenient visit, please watch this video.  We want our customers to have an opportunity to see and know our process.  We hope you enjoy it.

          We are definitely in the dog days of summer now, and boy has it been hot.   The kids and I are getting up earlier now in an effort to get all of our chicken chores done before the heat sets in for the day.  Most days we are done by 8, unless we are tackling a new project.  We have made some decisions about our farming practices as a direct result of this hot Georgia heat that I will elaborate on later in this letter.  Little did I understand last year about farming and hot summers.  It was easy to fantasize about farming while I sat under the air conditioning inside my home.  I have to tell you that as much as I love farming, I am sure looking forward to fall’s cooler weather patterns.

          When we began farming in February of this year we decided to work with Cornish Cross chickens.  There was plenty of information on the internet to be found about this breed.  I was anxious to get started and the grow out rate of 6-8 weeks appealed to me .  In the beginning they were doing great.  A mild spring and 8 weeks later we brought home our newly processed 5-6lb chickens ready to sell.  I couldn’t believe it- they had grown so fast and been relatively healthy.  Then the heat set in, and we saw how miserable the chickens were.  Any day that got over 80 degrees and they would start panting and look unhappy.  We checked around and found that other organic farmers had this issue with Cornish Cross, and many had chosen another breed altogether because of their inability to handle heat.   We started looking at other breeds but kept coming back to our lovely Delaware breed chicken that we have in our backyard for eggs.  They are so docile, quiet, and friendly and we enjoy their company so much.  This breed was the original meat bird, before the fast growing Cornish Cross was developed.  Delaware’s are a dual purpose breed, used both for their meat and eggs.  They grow large enough to eat by 10-14weeks of age and will lay wonderful brown eggs at 20 weeks of age.  We were convinced and contacted S&G Poultry in Alabama to order our new chicks.  In the beginning, all we could afford was 50 chicks, but as time has gone along we have completely switched and are raising only Delawares (with a few Naked Neck chickens thrown in) for meat now.   Our original 50 dwindled to 20 layers and 2 roosters, after we processed all the excess males last month, and I am proud to report that we have gotten our first (tiny, tiny) egg as of yesterday.   Our family sat down last week and had a side by side taste test between the Cornish Cross and the Delawares, and found that the Delawares exceeded our expectations.  They have a more robust chicken taste, the dark meat has a texture that is similar to steak, and the breast meat is more tender.  I report that the skin is thicker which should make it an excellent fried chicken and the drumsticks are longer and more full which is excellent for the children in the house.  Overall I am very pleased with how well these chickens taste, and how well they do on pasture in this heat. We have had no issues with these birds once they get to us from the hatchery.

          When we began selling meat we decided that we wanted our customers to know who their farmers were.  It is important to us that you be able to trust us, trust in what we are doing for the chickens, and know that we are trying to be as ecologically sound for the land as well.  This is really what it is all about.  Knowing where my food comes from, knowing the farmer who grows it, and knowing that they are using sound practices when they are taking care of their land.   In an effort to help fund our farm and have a relationship with our customers we developed our first CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) in May.  CSA’s are a wonderful way for the consumer to support their local farmer and to become acquainted with how their food is grown.  Here’s how our Meat CSA works:  The consumer buys a share from us and we agree to give them chickens in return for their investment in our farm.   This has been such a huge help to Ray and I as we are building our farm.  There are a number of large dollar items that we need for the farm, and yet, we do not want to impinge on our household budget to buy these items.  Our first CSA members helped us buy our crates that we take our chickens to the processer in, and purchase the supplies for 4 of our chicken tractors.   This second CSA our members will help us grow- we need additional crates, more chicken tractors, and an incubator so we can start hatching our own eggs.  I find it exciting to be in this relationship with our customers.   I don’t feel so alone in this farming venture- I feel as if I have people who believe in me and our vision for our farm.   We have opened up our shares for our Fall CSA now, and are accepting up to 20 full shares or some combination that gets up to 20 full shares.    Our current CSA members will have an automatic spot within the next CSA as one of the benefits of their continued support.  Our shares are:

Half share is: 2 whole chickens per month for 4 months for a total of $120 it equals out to $30 per month

Whole share is: 4 whole chickens per month for 4 months for a total of $240- it equals out to $60 per month. 

I am also open to making chicken cuts a part of your shares  instead of whole chickens, but I will need to speak with you and work out an equitable mix.

I am requiring at least half down as your deposit and then we can work out payment arrangements after that on a monthly basis.  You can make your payments online at our website  Gingersnaphollowfarms.com  or I have enclosed with this e-mail an application that can be mailed to me with your check. 

          We are expecting full production from our Delaware Hens in September and will offer eggs as an addition to your CSA membership.  Our members will get eggs first and then I will sell the remaining at farmers markets or through Augusta Locally Grown.   We have recently added Rhode Island Red and some other mixed breed chickens to our flock with the intention of having more laying hens in the future.  Our goal is to have up to 50 dozen eggs a week available by next Spring! 

          We have found that farming has a huge learning curve, especially in the way we have chosen to farm: SUSTAINABLY.   We know that there is a market for what we are doing,  We have been raising and processing 150 chickens a month and have been selling out within 2-3 weeks time.  We have increased our numbers and are working towards processing 300 a month in the very near future.  I think this is as far as we want to go, numbers wise, with the chickens.  This means we will have upwards of 1,000 on pasture or in the brooder for 9 months of the year.  That is a lot of birds!  I have been approached several times in last 6 months from customers that want pork and Ray and I are still researching, debating and trying to figure out how to do this for next spring.  We will keep you updated.

          As I draw this to a close, I wanted to say thank you for all of your support for our farm.  I have never felt so alive, so purpose driven, as I do now.  I believe we can change the health of this great nation, one small farm at a time.  Our future is in SMALL farms that care for their animals, and their land.

Thank you again,

Angela

We have successfully processed our second batch and they are now in the freezer. With this second set of chickens we let them grow for only 7 weeks (instead of 8) and they have reached a more marketable weight of 3-4 pounds per whole chicken.  I think this is probably the ideal time frame for the chickens as well.  I can hardly believe that just one extra week will put one full pound on a chicken, but indeed this holds true.  The difference in supplemental feed that we needed was just over 1900 pounds in comparison to 2500 lbs last time.

  Ray and I continue to learn what works for our farm.  There is a steep learning curve for this business, and I feel I have gained so much knowledge already, but that there is still a ton more to go. 

I was at the Augusta Market on the River today, and there was a nice crowd.  I love the movement that is now happening!  I heard over and over again today how people want to eat healthier and get in touch with who is growing their food.  It is incredible for me as well, to get to know my customers and find out what they are looking for.  Rewarding and helps keep my dreams for the farm burning bright.  Thank you to all of our customers who buy from us and continue to support the dream.

We continue to make plans for our market garden and hopefully soon we will have an actual garden and not just one on paper.  The kids are antsy to get in there and start planting. 

I am now going to have a well deserved night off!

Thanks again!

We are officially in business!   We now have our Meat License and Storage Facility License and we are up and running.   We successfully processed our first 150 chickens the 22^nd of April and already have another 150 out on pasture maturing fast.  They will be ready to process near the middle of this month.  We have also started our egg laying Delaware birds.  Delaware chickens are on the endangered list with only a small handful of hatcheries keeping this bird going.  We chose Delaware’s’ because they are friendly and have quiet peaceful attitudes.  They are a dual purpose bird with the hens laying a gorgeous pink/brown egg, and the males reaching 8 pounds in 12 weeks.   We currently have 50 out on pasture that are a mix of males and females and they are destined to be our breeding stock for our future meat and egg laying chicks.  We anticipate being able to sell eggs as well as hatch our own meat birds by August of this year. 

I ordered our first Turkeys this week and they should arrive sometime the first week in May.  I only ordered 25 poults (baby turkeys), with the thought that we would see how well it goes and if there is a market for them.  You can put down a $10 deposit on your Thanksgiving Turkey on our website to ensure we have one available for you.  

We are now taking orders for whole chicken as well as cuts of chicken.    I will be delivering CSA orders this week and can drop off any orders you place at those locations, or you can catch us at the State Farmers Market 1150 5^th St Downtown Augusta on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of the Month and at the Farmers Market Downtown on 8^th and Reynolds on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays. 

Here is what I have available and please feel free to call me with your order.  Please note- it is first come first served, so get your orders in early!   Please order through the website, and leave a location in the comments section of your order.  Note that you do not have to pay online- you can give me a check at the time of delivery. 

Whole Chicken                                  $3.50/lb                                currently have 5 and 6 pound chickens

8 Way Cut Up Chicken                    $4.50/lb                                only 4 left

Boneless Skinless Breast               $8.00/lb                                only 7 left comes in packages of 4

Legs                                                       $3.00/lb                                only 7 left comes in package of 8

Wings                                                    $3.00/lb                                only 2 left comes in package of 8

Thighs                                                   $3.75/lb                                only 9 left comes in package of 4

Here is my schedule of drop sites for next week.

Monday               North Augusta Wal Mart shopping center             4:30-5:30

Tuesday               Earth Fare parking lot                                       5pm-6pm

Wednesday        State Farmers Market                                           9-2

Thursday             Making deliveries to Harlem/Appling area            5-6pm

Thank you for your support!   I love that there are so many of you out there that share my passion for quality healthy food! 

Visit us at http://www.gingersnaphollowfarms.com/

Thank you again, Angela Magney

GingerSnap Hollow Farms- is now offering an extra chicken (for May) to the first 10 people who sign up and pay (in full) for a CSA share.

There are two options available:

Full share is $240 for a 4 month supply of chicken.  You will receive 16 chickens (4 a month) over the months of May through August.  Plus a free chicken for the month of May! 

½ share is $126 for a 4 month supply of chicken.  You will receive 8 chickens (2 a month) over the months of May through August.  Plus a free chicken for the month of May!

Every chicken has been living on pasture, eating a healthy diet of grass, bugs, and locally grown grains.   Our chicken have not been given any additives- no antibiotics, steroids, or hormones.  The healthy life that the chickens lead will result in a leaner, healthier meat on your table. 

You will receive  4-6 pound whole chickens that have been processed and frozen by a USDA licensed facility and are packaged in shrink wrapped freezer bags.

We will be setting up our delivery dates, times and locations as the CSA share information comes in.  You can expect that we will be delivering to Evans/Martinez, South Augusta, North Augusta, Harlem/Grovetown, and Downtown Augusta and will start May 3-7. 

We only have a small number of shares available, so sign up now to ensure you have quality, healthy, tasty chicken for your summer meals.

I am officially moving my blog over to the website now.  I am thinking, although a bunch of you know us, maybe newcomers would appreciate a rundown of who we are and why we are farming.

Angela is the wannabe farmer and has been dreaming of farming for some time.  I have become increasingly dissatisfied with how dangerous our food supply has become.  Who would have thought that spinach could carry such a deadly food-borne illness?  When we moved to Georgia, 3 years ago, one of the first things we did was put in raised garden beds to grow our own food.  From there we have had ducks for eggs, and rabbits for meat.  We purchased 5 Delaware chickens in September of 2009 and I am happy to report that they have started laying this week.  We are up to 4 cute little pink eggs to date.  All of what we have done so far has been in our little subdivision.  Quietly, and with our neighbors approval of course.  

Ray is a Captain in the Army, and is currently a teacher for the Licensed Practical Nurse course.  He is a Registered Nurse, and has just returned from Afghanistan in November. 

We have 3 kiddos- Jonah who is 15 and rows for the local rowing club.  Hannah who is 13 and loves everything artistic, drama, music, baking, and playing tricks on her unsuspecting brothers.  Eric is 11 and enjoys Boy Scouts and swimming.   All are home schooled, and are beginning to understand my concerns over our food.

Once Ray returned home from Afghanistan we began searching in earnest for a place to lease land- so we could grow our own food.  We are beginnings with Chicken, but anticipate branching out to Turkeys, Rabbits and growing a larger garden.   We are convinced that growing our food in a natural way that involves no antibiotics, steroids, or hormones is the way to go.  Our animals will be raised on pasture in floor-less pens and moved daily.  This benefits the chickens by giving them fresh grasses and bugs to eat and benefits the land by avoiding a large build up of manure that damages the grasses.

So here we are in March.  We have a lease on 2 acres of land close to our house.  We have 150 chicks that are growing in our garage, that will go out to the farm in 2 more weeks.  I have ordered 50 Delaware chicks that we will use as breeding stock and for eggs, that will be here in April.  We have bought a truck, and have a place for cold storage for the chickens once they are processed.

We are on our way!   I hope you will come back and follow our journey.

The chicks are here!   All 155 of them!  Pictures to come soon.