Late October at Leyden Glen Farm

Hello Friends of Leyden Glen Farm,

It’s been an incredibly colorful fall here in Leyden. I always wonder if the sheep enjoy their views as much as the humans do. The sheep are still out on pastures and will be until the end of November. Here’s a photo taken at golden hour just outside our farmhouse.

We’ve had some cold nights and frost and we know what is coming soon. As winter draws in, I can feel the need to change up the meals at our farm. Fall brings lots of soup and stews to our dinner table - many featuring our home grown lamb. Have you checked out our website? On it, you will find many of these cozy inducing recipes including Moroccan Tagine, Scotch Broth Soup, Lentil and Lamb Soup, Traditional Irish Lamb Stew, and more. Click the name to go to the recipe.

Speaking of stew, we just picked up our latest batch of farm raised lamb cuts. I’m thrilled to say that we are back in stock with lots of Lamb Stew Meat cut from leg. This stew meat doesn’t have to cook forever because it is a premium cut from the leg. It will work for Stir Fries as well as traditional stews. Stop by the Amherst Farmers Market tomorrow between 7:30 and 1:30. Or stop by our little Farm Store in Leyden for self-serve sales. Directions are here.

Mark is still harvesting hay as autumn moves on. Because of the summer drought, we are short on hay for the winter. It’s difficult to harvest hay in the fall because the days are so short and the nights are chilly. The grasses (that’s what hay is) don’t grow very fast in autumn. The hay needs to wilt down and dry out before it gets baled and wrapped into those big white marshmallows you have probably seen on the back roads throughout western Massachusetts and further afield. He’s making progress albeit slow and steady although we have sadly had to downsize our flock due to the drought. Another result of climate change.

I will be at the Amherst Farmers Market Saturday from 7:30 to 1:30. Besides the new batch of stew meat, I will have all the regular cuts of our farm raised lamb. I will also be bringing lots of new vases and mugs and tea towels if you are thinking towards the holiday gift giving season.

Only 3 more markets left in the Amherst Farmers Market 50th Season after this week. Isn’t it amazing that the market has been going that long? Surely a testament to the community that supports it and the farmers who grow for it.

Hope to see you tomorrow. As always, thank you for your support of our farm and family.

Kristin, Mark and Julia