"So...What do you do for a living?"

     I am sure everyone has heard this question. It's one of the most common "icebreaking-get-to-know-someone" question there is. Most people do not even have to think about the answer. That's cool. However, some of us get to have a little fun with that question. For example:   

 Let's say it's Monday, during normal business hours, and somebody asks me that question. During this season of my life I would say "I install security systems for the government." I like to say it like that because it sort of makes you sound like James Bond or something better than what you really do...which is work in dirty warehouses and breathe forklift tire-rubber! 

     Now, if you were to ask me after business hours, like if we were to have a chat at the Starbucks, I would tell you "I am a graphic designer for a natural skin care company." That sounds cool too, and most of the time that part of my job description is fun and the outcome is very rewarding! Now, if by chance we lived in the same neighborhood down here in Florida (my second home...that sounds cool too!), we might bump into each other on a run in the evening, and it would seem that I was just another local runner trying to lose some weight (those of you that know me should be laughing...) and our conversation might lead to the above question, in which I would respond by saying "Well, I oversee all marketing for Harmony Acres Soap Co. in North Carolina." 

     This is fun (is this bragging?)! Anyhow, you may run into me at the Flying J truck stop in St. George South Carolina. That is where I stop most of the time on my 8 hour work commute from North Carolina to Florida (that is my long commute, it's only twice a week...).

     There is the slight possibility that we would cross paths in Boone, North Carolina at the Watauga County Farmers Market on any given Saturday, May-November (quick commercial...) and it would be apparent that I am playing the role (and absolutely loving it!) of a salesman for Harmony Acres Soap Co.. Of course, you would also see most of, if not all of my family there as well, so you strike up conversations with them and get a whole new listing of job titles for each of them! How fun!

   

     It probably goes unsaid, but it would be completely and totally impossible to fulfill any of these roles without my amazing wife! She plays many more roles than I do, but her number one role is keeping me straight and being a mom/teacher of nine and making soap and delivering packages and being beautiful and ... I could really go on and on. If you are a woman reading this, I am not intending to make you feel bad or jealous, but there can only be one "The Best" so being next up to "The Best" is still open for discussion.

   Of course, each one of my children, all the way down to at least Glory, play a very important part in this hat wearing extravaganza.

Did you know that Skylar can make you a Lemonade (and not just any Lemonade, but one that deserves a capital "L") and carry on a full conversation with you? That is incredible! Keaton has been about 28 since he was born, and although he has a lot of help around the house while I am gone, a good leader is necessary, and that he is! The only reason Cory is able to be super-woman is because Treasure and Journey are right there to fill in the blanks while soap is being made! Amazing! They play a huge part in school having it's part in the day. Wow! 

     Fischer is our next "first-born". And we all know that there is something special about the role of a first-born. He plays that very well. Cedar just gets things done. Doesn't matter what it is, he just does it. Did you know that a 4 year old can do sheet-rock? It's true, Jewel actually helped quite a bit with the Smelly Shop addition. I have pics to prove it! 

     Well, enough about us. We would love to here what hats you wear! (now I am wearing the "interviewer" hat...:) Feel free to post any encouraging story you might have relating to the question "So...what do you do for a living?"

Be a part of the smelliness! We have launched our "much-anticipated" Kickstarter Project, and it is now live! Please feel free ( we are begging you!) to share this with as many people as you know! 

We will be sending out updates through our newsletter, so if you have not signed up to receive our newsletter: 

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Thank you for all of your support as we grow! More to come!!!

Soap-Makers Choice Sale

- FREE Lip Balm! -

Have you ever heard of a "blue moon"? Well, there must be one out because deals like this only happen during that very special event! Most of you "smellies" out there already have your favorite soaps picked out, and your not up for changing since you have found your "perfect" bar! Well, we are going to bribe you into trying some of our other great bars; "How?" you might ask...with a FREE Lip Balm! During the next several days, when you add this product to your cart, we are going to pick out three amazing bars that you probably have not branched out to try, AND we are gong to send you a FREE Lip Balm to ease the withdrawal pain until the potentially "new-found-love" kicks in! In the future, this will also be an opportunity to send some test bars out with scents that you all have been requesting for years! Scents such as: "Freshly Mowed Grass" and "New Home Smell" or one of our favorite request "Diap...", just kidding, we wouldn't do that one, or any of those other scents for that matter! Why? Because we only use Essential Oils in our soaps! Check out the "Deal of the Day" tab to get your surprise bars with a FREE Lip Balm today!

Family Time

Doodle is 1 today!

Happy Jewel!

Our production team is growing up...

The girls...

Glory Bug

Skylar is getting good...he loves in new camera. 

Sky's lemonade stand at the market...

Doodle is part of the parking team at the market!

Another one of Sky's creations...

Happy Birthday Liberty "Doodle" Justice!

Firecracker Sale - Day 5 -
Fandango Friday

I know, I know...this is getting really ridiculous, but have you ever tried to have a name for each day of the week that rhymed with "Mango"? I really liked "Mango Monday", so this is where we ended up. Anyhow, I heard a song once with the word "fandango" in it, you may have heard it; something about doing the fandango and lightning and stuff. Today's sale will definitely make you want to "do the fandango", and send bolts of lightning (firecracker style lightning...). During the summer, we spend way more time outside simply by default: the days are longer! With longer days, comes longer exposure to the sun, which we are big fan of. However, we should take precautions to preserve our baby skin, and it's never too late to get your baby skin back! ReNew Face Oil, and ReNew Day Moisturizer have been created, by us geniuses here at Harmony Acres for such a time as this! These products are so great,  they scored their very own video! That's cool. Check out the video, read about the products, order and be amazed! We get so many great reviews about these products, and the best part is; if you don't like them, we will buy them back and sell them to someone else! (actually, we won't sell them to someone else, that would be kinda gross...I think) The video below is simply for product info, check out our "Deals" tab for the current sale!

ReNew Face Oil

ReNew Face Oil contains an abundance of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that our bodies use to manufacture prostaglandins (hormone-like substances that regulate and balance cellular activity). It has been known to slow the aging process, restore elasticity and reverse damage from ultraviolet rays. 

ReNew Day Moisturizer 

New and improved! We are getting wonderful reviews. "Wow, this is the best face moisturizer I have ever used! Thanks!", "It smells and feels great!" Well, all I have to say is we are very pleased with it. Often referred to as a cream, it is so much more than that! We replaced the Emu oil with Rose hip seed oil and added Clary Sage Essential oil. The scent is very pleasing. We here at Harmony Acres have been using it daily, and our skin loves it! Yours will too! High in GLA, this is a must for everyone!

Firecracker Sale - Day 4

Firecracker Sale - Day 4
- Thango Thursday -

Thango is one of really neat words that can mean whatever you want it to. If you live near us you might hear it used like: "Get me one of those thangos over there..." or something like that. Speaking of "thangos", we have a really great one on sale, and here is what a valuable customer has to say about it: "I bought this product to help preserve my tattoos  I love this product since it's not greasy, and leaves my skin feeling soft. It has been excellent in preserving the color in my tattoos so they look as good as when I got them!". And another customer says: "This is great for a big belly, but also its fantastic for shoulder rubs after carrying a baby around all day!". Now, you may not be carrying around a tatoo'd baby with a big belly that needs a shoulder rub, but I guarantee you need this product! So what is the mystery product? Sweetgrass Body Butter, and Lavender Belly/Body Butter. These products are made with organic, unrefined shea butter that we add jojoba and essential oils to. It's epic to say the least. This product can be used in many ways, to include a good old-fashioned foot rub. Ahhhhh, a nice foot rub. 20% off, no codes necessary, just click on the "Deals" tab to enjoy your very own Sweetgrass or Lavender Body Butter today (well, the day you get it...)!

Sweetgrass Body Butter

Do you have rough elbows? How about calloused feet? (Is this an Infommercial?) We have been told that Sweetgrass Body Butter is the perfect solution! Of course we already knew that, but unbiased opinions go a lot further!  At first, the butter may seem too thick, but once it touched your skin, it melts right in! Jojoba Oil and true essential oils are added for an experience you will never forget! 

Lavender Belly/Body Butter

Pure, Unrefined Organic Shea Butter. Wow, this thick moisturizing butter is one of the most amazing products in our line. Lavender Belly Butter is specially formulated to help aid in the relief of scarring and other stretchies associated with pregnancy. (you know, the ones that come from little belly becoming big belly in a matter of seconds...well, maybe not seconds.) Use before, during and after pregnancy, or anytime that you feel like having soft skin. We have been told that this also aids in the events leading up to pregnancy... :)

Firecracker Sale
- Day 3 -

Well I may not be able to make it easier to find 100% cotton shirts at your local discount retail store...but I can make it easier to find a 100% natural Herbal Balm that actually works! Have you ever had a cut? How about a rash? Bug bites (of course not, you use No More Bugzzz!)? How about burns? Well odds are; you have, and the odds are greater that it happened during the summer months (...strictly speculation) and even better odds are that you were wearing a polyester-blend t-shirt, because it's nearly impossible to find 100% cotton these days. Polyester tends to cling in the heat, which can be extremely irritating if you have a cut, scrape or burn that is need of a herbal balm, so we have both of our Herbal Balms on sale! This will not be a rule breaker, so to take advantage of this 20% savings, act now or burn. That didn't come out right, I mean; your burn will continue to hurt. Remember, the 4th of July is coming up, and those sparklers can be pretty dangerous, so plan ahead! No codes necessary, just go to our "Deals" tab at:www.getsmelly.com

Herbal Big People Balm

Big People get big boo boo's, so we created an action packed herbal balm that helps just in the nick of time (before anyone finds out you got injured...)! Our Herbal Big People Balm is made from 100% natural herbs infused in 100% natural oils. These herbs include: organic comfrey, plantain, calendula, nettle & chamomile. We use local beeswax as a skin-loved carrier, as well as emu oil to give ailments a kick in the butt! Great for cuts, scrapes & rashes. Herbal B.P. Balm applied to any skin ailment has been known to cause relief and skin improvement. Apply to area of injury.

Herbal Baby Balm 

Our Baby Balm is made from 100% natural oils and herbs. Great for diaper rashes, as well as scrapes and stings!  This balm is baby safe, and can be used on big people as well. No need to cross your fingers, the herbs will do all of the work!

Father's Day Sale - Harmony Acres Update

I can "honestly" say (with some bias...) that as a father there is no better gift that I would prefer more than a Natural Deodorant from Harmony Acres. Well, maybe that is not completely true, BUT it very well may be for your dad! Look at it this way; dads stink...so get him some deodorant, and make sure it's natural so he doesn't get all clogged up. That would be bad, really bad. Deodorants that are commonly used usually have aluminum as the active ingredient for anti-perspiration. Bad news bears; who in the world thought, "Here is some aluminum, hmmm, what to do...I know...let's smear it under our arms and maybe it will do something!"? Not me, in fact our deodorant is simple: Beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and essential oils. That's it...no clog-you-up-and-kill-your-brain ingredients. Now you may still perspire, and that's okay and it's much better than keeping all those toxins stored up in your body! Love your Dad; get him some All Natural Beeswax Deodorant so he can stop stinking bad and start smelling good! All Natural Beeswax Deodorant are on sale until Sunday night, and so is all the soap! Enter code "fat17" during checkout for 25% off these products!

Now, for an update:  The 2013 Market season is well under way, so come out and visit us at the Watuaga County Farmers Market if you get a chance! It's hard to believe it's already June! Our garden is growing and providing us with some yummy veggies (all for us this year, sorry!).  Lettuce, kale, spring onions all go together for an amazing salad, and since you can purchase some of these items at the "Kids Corner" located at the Watuaga Market, admittedly the above "all for us" nanny-nanny-boo-boo statement was uncalled for, sorry. It brings tears to my daddy eyes as I see them (not me...) sweating with each pull of an onion! They are getting older and catching up to me! Our girls have been learning paper crafting from a dear family friend, and they too can be found selling their handcrafted items at the market on (every other...) Saturday mornings! As far as our Soap Business, well we are growing more and more each day! Be on the look out for our new labels, cool-smelly colors! 

Memorial Day 2013 Sale!

...10% Off Everything!

 

Memorial Day is a day that we remember those who served and fought for our freedoms. As you celebrate those freedoms with family and friends this year, don't forget to take some time to check out our website that is filled with tons of awesome products, products that will all be 10% off until Tuesday! Thank you, and have a great Memorial Day!   Promo. Code - "mem10"

New: Harmony Acres Jingle... freedom for your ears! An ongoing project of ours has finally reached completion (or maybe it's the first step to something even bigger!)! We tasked a good friend of ours to create a Jingle to express Getting Smelly through music, as well as adding more life and toe-tapping fun to your day! Here is a link to this amazing creation of Matthew Keller, we hope you enjoy! HASC-Jingle In case you haven't had a chance to see our video's, here they are!  Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Video 5

2013 Appalachian Spring Sale!!!

First Day of Appalachian Spring Sale!

...get smelly this spring!

Spring of 2013 has finally arrived! This is definitely my most favorite time of the year! We have the cool nights with the warm days, which in turn temps you to go outside more, which in turn makes you stinky, which is why we have strategically placed 2 specific items on sale (not to mention they have the word "Spring" in the their name...). If you haven't had a chance to try our new Appalachian Spring Bar Soap, or our Appalachian Spring Natural Deodorant, this is the the time! For the whole first day of spring, and some of today, these most awesome-st products will be on sale for over 25% off! Wow, combine that with the March Happiness sale, and well, I might want to double check that, I may be giving stuff away...so hurry before I get a chance to get a chance to check this out further!  

2 for $10!!!

Ok, since we lose a whole hour this weekend (...tonight at 2 a.m.) we have decided to put our best "morning" bar on sale. We are calling this our: 2/$10 Sale!  This way when Monday rolls around, and you realize "Oh my, now I have to rush because I forgot that the time changed, and I have to take a dull shower, and..." you will be prepared and be able to say "Oh, but wait...I have 2 Lemongrass Summer Bar Soaps!!! Now I am happy!". Lemongrass is the most uplifting essential oil that we use, and there is just the perfect amount in this bar. And now for one whole day (an hour shorter of a day might I remind you...) you can get 2 of these amazing bars for $10! I think that is really cool, and if I were you, I would definitely jump on this opportunity. Remember, Monday will be here faster this week than last week,  so "Make It a Double", but wait until tomorrow to do it! (...it won't be a long wait!)

March Happiness!

So we were thinking about the "March Madness" thing that companies do this time of the year (hence the name...) and we concluded that we did not like the name. So we have made an executive decision and officially changed it to "March Happiness!" Doesn't that sound much better! So, after we changed it, we realized that there needed to be a deal of a deal in order to convey the "March Happiness!" message to all of our great Harmony Acres soapies.  Here is what we came up with: During the month of March (we decided to use March because it fit the best with the name...clever.) we are going to give stuff away! Doesn't that make you happy just thinking about it? And just wait, if you think you are happy now, wait until that "free" thing gets smelled, and of course, used! So when turn on your computer, and go to your homepage (...which should be: www.getsmelly.com), just go to your favorite items and place them in your basket. If you spend at least $29, you, the soap connoisseur (I googled it...), get an amazing-idea-of-a-product called "Smelly Samplers" which consist of 5, ready to use, soap bar samples.  Because we are the soap experts, we have left the choosing of the samples up to us (you are welcome!) But wait, there's more (ever heard that before?), if you spend $39, you now qualify for free shipping; (which is simply amazing in itself, but since even amazing things get lonely sometimes, we added more amazing things...)so not only do you get a free "Smelly Samplers"  (which...nevermind) but you will also get it shipped to your front door for free! Enter code: "freegift" during your checkout process to take advantage of this awesome deal!

Video Update...

Just wanted to give a quick link to a video we recently made. It explains our ReNew Facial Kit and how great the oils are! Also, it's that time of the year...Happy New Year! We hope to do many more video's as the days pass, we'll see! Take advantage of this awesome sale - 25% off the ReNew Facial Kit!

ReNew Facial Kit Video

        Dale

-Lead Soap Crafter-

  real stuff.  real good.

Showering to the fullest...

Rule #1: Shower daily with Harmony Acres handcrafted soap. That pretty much sums it up...however, I will add some suggested techniques that you should apply to this rule.

Technique #1: Determine the time of day and/or activity following your shower.

Technique #2: Upon achieving technique #1, apply answer to soap choice. (and you should have several bars ready for this technique...)

Basically, that is it. I will offer suggestions to help you make the wisest soap choice. 

Suggestion #1: Lemongrass Summer Bar Soap - Excellent morning bar, or for those of you wishing to stop/reduce your caffeine intake (actually it only helps because lemongrass increases alertness, not because it relieves caffeine addiction!)

Suggestion # 2: Lavender Fine Bar Soap - This one is a great substitute for chronic "sleepy-time" tea drinkers. (and there is no fear of wetting the bed!) Lavender is extremely calming, great for nighty-night time.

Suggestion # 3: Sweet Almond Bar Soap - Are you wild and crazy? (in a good, fun way...)  If you are, I do not suggest this bar. However, if you wish to be wild and crazy, then this is the bar for you! Anytime citrus and sweet are combined, great things come. When I say great things, I mean like: wild and crazy things...for example: mowing the yard on Tuesday so it will be just the right height to mow on Friday, or grilling some fish right before your big sushi night...you know, crazy stuff. 

Well, I am not sure what sushi and mowing have to do with Harmony Acres Soap, but that's what came out...hmm...I did just shower with the Patchouli Earth Bar Soap, so maybe it makes you sort of funky.

No matter which bar you choose, you are sure to be surprised.  Those thoughts that you may have had like "Isn't this just another soap company?" will soon fade and be forgotten once you get your hands on one of these bars. To prove that I am not biased, I will take off my Harmony Acres Soap Co. hat...ok, yep, they are still great bars, and, they last forever! Go Ahead, Get Smelly!

     Dale

-Lead Soap Crafter-

  real stuff.  real good.

real stuff. real good.

I tend to forget how good I have it. Although I could go on for hours about how great my family and life in general is, I am specifically referring to the products that I use to cleanse my skin. For about 2 months now, I have had the privilege of some extra work to help with the growth of Harmony Acres, however with that privilege comes "hotel life".  Life in a hotel is very interesting to say the least, but what I would like to focus on is the vast difference between "hotel life" water, towels and food verses "home life" water, towels and food. The main difference (from my experience...) is the use of bleach. I was not aware that you can drink, eat (well maybe not eat, but it's part of my story...) and dry off with bleach. Actually that is misleading, but the point is that a lot of bleach is used! One would think that after drinking, eating and drying off with bleach for two months that he/she might be rather dried out, or lacking in moisture, but not me. I have been using our products (because that is just what I do, plus I get them at a discount...) and haven't skipped a beat (or dried out...)! Life on the road, in general,  can be very taxing on your body, but I have noticed that with the regular use of our ReNew Day Moisturizer, and Sweet Almond Lotion after each shower (with a bar of our soap of course!), that my skin doesn't just break off as I am sure that it would had I not used our products. You see, most people do not have to live in hotels to experience "hotel life" in the sense that I am speaking of because it is fairly normal/common to by and use the cheapest bar of soap, the cheapest or latest bottle of lotion and the most advertised face cra..., I mean cream. Lets take care of ourselves better! We only get one shot, and we might as well smell good while we are here, especially if you are around me! Oh, and speaking of smelling good, if you ever feel left out or like no one ever notices you; then you need to try our latest deodorant: Patchouli Earth. We call it a deodorant (because that's what it is...) but it is so much more than that. Personally, I have had people track me down from the other side of restaurants, I have had people walk by me and stop dead in their tracks and wonder what that amazing smell is and many other  great comments. It's no product for the shy, unless you want to go cold turkey with the whole shy thing.

So, in case you are wondering what the "Get Smelly-Daily Routine" is, here you go:
1. Shower with Harmony Acres Soap (or take a bath and enjoy the soap longer).
2. Dry off with a non-bleach (or bleach if you want to, doesn't matter with this routine...) towel.
3. Use q-tips in ears (did I say that? I must have not read the directions, but it sure feels good...)
4. Apply ReNew Day Moisturizer lightly to face.
5. Liberally apply _________ Body Lotion to whole body (works great for bald heads)
6. Spray 2 pumps of Patchouli Earth under arms and 2 over whole body (that's why the bottle says to "get under it")
7. Go about your day! (of coure you need to get dressed, and when you do spray another round of Patchouli Earth over your head again)

Depending on when you read this, you may want to try our routine out immediately... wait until you these products in hand before you do, or you will be greatly disappointed. Luckily for you, all of our products are 25% off right now! And, it's still free shipping for orders over $39... I can't believe this is really happening!!!

          Dale

-Lead Soap Crafter-

  real stuff.  real good.

Who knows?

This is what the rest are up to..
I didn't let him complete the meal,
but he sure was proud!

Well, I have decided to title this blog "Who knows" for some reason. It's just what came to me. I think it has to do with the year ahead of us. Or, it could have to do with the goat-keifer smoothie I'm drinking at 10 pm. Not sure, but hopefully not the latter. Anyhow, this has been a very exciting year for the Emmons family. Our children are getting older, the businesses are growing and we have a very busy schedule ahead of us.  In between juggling school, and learning how to be a man, our oldest son, Keaton (13) has acquired the title "Farm Manager". His duties (which have been self-induced) include planning and preparing everything having to do with vegetables. This includes the CSA commitment and the 4 farmers markets we plan to attend this year.  He absolutely loves it, and is doing a very good job at it.  Skylar, our second oldest (12 in April) is the "Chicken Man". His duties include caring for all of the new meat/egg layer chicks. He is also in charge of the chickens that are currently laying eggs for us now. These jobs really bring out the best in our children, and it is encouraging them to think about what they want to do or be when they are older. Lots of ideas, believe me! The oldest girls are becoming little women and are turning out to be great older sisters and mom's-in-practice. Now, I say all that merely to brag. We are proud parents! As far as Harmony Acres Soap Co. goes; it is rapidly growing. We had our first big show this year. It was a 5 day show in Charlotte, and it went amazingly well! There were some great contacts made and we even made a profit after it was all said and done. Our next big event for the year is Merle Fest. We are super excited about this event, as it draws people from all over the country. If you get a chance, come out and visit, they are planning a great show this year. In June, we head back to Charlotte for 3 days for Taste of Charlotte in the city center. That should be a very exciting event as well! Sometime in October we are supposed to be in Atlanta for a 3 day festival, and another in Columbus (I think) around that same time. During all of this, we still have the Boone and Blowing Rock farmers market, as well as 2 new markets in Winston-Salem. This is going to be very exciting! Of course, we will still attend all of fall festvals, which we thoroughly enjoy and look forward to. The wholesale accounts that we have in the Boone, Valle Crucis and Banner Elk area have more than doubled in the last year, and it's already looking like it should do the same this year! Thanks to all of the awesome individuals at each of those stores that speak so highly of our products! It is very encouraging to hear all of the kind words! Farm life is going quite well here too. Our landlord just gave us access to the rest of the land here, which gives us another 40 acres or so, of very usable land. Needless to say, we are thrilled! To celebrate, we bought our first to steers and are taking the "mob grazing" approach. Already, after only 1 month, we are seeing amazing results in the grass, and the steers. A good friend of ours blessed us with some goats (you can take that however you want to...), really, it was a blessing. The diversity that goats, chickens and cows create, is priceless. We are milking one of the goats, and I know you won't believe me, but the milk taste like Jersey milk. I know, sounds like a fib, but you are welcome to come over and try it for yourself! The other great thing about goats, is they are very good at letting you know where the weak spots in your fencing are. Apparently, we had a lot than I thought. So far, it's under control...we'll see! Last on the list, but probably the most exciting and important, is that we are expecting baby #9 in August. Cory is doing amazing! She has taken a big interest in fitness during pregnancy. It's fun to see her so passionate about this. Wait, last time she was this passionate about something, I ended up being the "soap guy" (which I actually enjoy now). Hopefully, she keeps this one! Not sure if a bunch of pregnant women want a skinny, bearded guy teaching them how to be fit...?  There is sure to more exciting news to come, it just may be a while before we get to share it, who knows!

In the cattle business...

Enjoying their new grass...

We bought our first two steers today. What an exciting event to go to the sale and bid for the first time. The breed we have chosen is a cross between a Red Angus cow and a Hereford Bull. Now, that being said, the first two we bought are red angus steers...and here is why. First of all we need the experience before we get more into a cow/calf operation like we would like to. Secondly, we need more cash. And thirdly, we want to be certain that this cross finishes out well on grass as we have been told and read. These red angus steers will be close enough taste wise. Actually, as far as the taste, I am told it is basically the same as black angus. Apparently the reason these crosses are better for the intensive grazing we plan  to do, is because of the way they were bred originally, to finish on grass verses grain.  Ok, now for the way we are going to raise them. We plan on rotating them daily in front of our chickens. It is called mob grazing. Basically, you give however many cows you have enough grass for a 24 hour period, enough meaning: 60% eaten, 30% trampled and 10% left. This is a model that we found in our research, done by Greg Judy. I believe that Joel Salitin does this as well, although I am not sure if he rotates them daily or not. Either way, these intensive, rotational grazing methods not only eliminate the need for hay ( in our area), but it quickly builds the topsoil while growing some of best meat you can eat. The cows also live a much happier life, and they are much more tame. We will be rotating our milk cows in a similar manner, but we will bring them to the barn area at night so that they will stay tame for milking. This is going to be an exciting year!

Area to the left grazed, area to the right ungrazed...

The perimeter fence is three hot strands, and the fence with the yellow poles is what we move everyday.  Basically a big rectangle that we divide off, enough for a days worth of grass. No need to worry about back-grazing in the winter, but in the summer they will have a fence behind them as well...

I figured it out...

So here is a scenario: I go to the store and shop like the average American. I grab a few loaves of bread, Wonder to be exact, maybe even the wheat Wonder (if they have that). Then I head over to the pesticide laden produce and put a few iceberg lettuce heads in my cart and some potatoes sprayed with sprout inhibitors and I might even get a couple red, vine ripened tomatoes (it's January, so surely they ripened on the vine somewhere...). OK, now I have to get some dressing for all of this, so I throw in some ranch. I try to read the back of the bottle, but it's too confusing and the "natural" organic bottle is too expensive, so I get it anyway, after all, maybe all those words aren't that bad, I mean the store is for me...right? Now i make my way over to the frozen section and grab the main course for the night...Tyson Nuggets! Hey, they are on sale! Great! Oops, I forgot the pb&j, so when I make it to that isle, I find the latest in technology...pb&j in one bottle! Time saver! Plus, it's on sale! Now that I have all of my healthy stuff, time to splurge a little. Snack isle, here I come! Hmmm, so many choices...hey, i remember seeing those keebler elves on TV once, and they said they were natural, so I'll get those. Fudge covered grahams...with no expiration date! What should I get to wash this down, I know, I saw some of those little "chubby sodas" in the middle of the isle, and what a deal...only 25 cents each! That's cheaper than water! I'll take 10 of those, that should be enough to get me through the weekend, I mean I do have a bottle of Dew left over from breakfast. I almost forgot...popsicles! I saw someone getting those ones that you can scribble with, my kids will like those! And... they are on sale! I did want to get some bacon for breakfast, so I'll see if I can find any on sale...yep there is one, and it's got a picture of a farm on it with a happy little pig munching on grass! Jackpot! All of these great deals, and not only are they on sale, but I have coupons as well! So, now I head to checkout.  "Do you have your store card today?" Yes!!! More savings! "Your total is $14.96" " Would you like to donate $1 to the National Heart Foundation?" Sure! I mean, this is great! I save all this money on all of this "natural" stuff and I get to invest in my future all at the same place! How great!

Ok. well, now we are out of the scenario. Hopefully no one got offended, well, actually hopefully somebody did get offended enough to at least think. It really registered as I went through the checkout buying some batteries today, as the lady in front of me who was buying a box of Popsicles, some "chubby" soda and some candy bars for her little girl, (that should be child abuse!) was asked if she would like to donate a dollar to the Heart Association. Thankfully she did donate. It makes total sense to donate, I mean, if you shop like this, you better donate a lot, because you are investing in insurance for your future! I really hope that those of you that read this and have the thought "He needs more mercy on people, times are tough!" that you will realize that I am in these times as well, and odds are I have more mouths to feed. We need to make better choices about our foods, it IS possible and it NEEDS to be our priority to educate ourselves and to have a little more discipline. That is what we deserve, not the chemicals and the sick animals, or the sugars that our bodies can't process...

Sometimes local cost more, and sometimes real food cost more, but there are plenty of growers and farmers around that would be willing to work with you on making it doable for you! Just ask! Oh, and this is not about living in fear, it's about educating ourselves and doing what is right!

Upcoming Events...

2012 is beginning to seem very busy for us, and we are excited to say the least! First of all, we have been selected to participate in the 2012 MerleFest! That is a huge deal for us! Secondly, our products are currently in the final stages of review with Earth Fare, that's really cool! Our children are growing faster than they should, but that's ok, they are a huge help and part of all of this. Be sure and thank them as you see them, as most of you already do, for their hard work! The CSA shares are filling quickly, which tells me that supporting local, and knowing who grows your food, is becoming a priority for a lot of people! That is awesome! Tonight, after dark, in the snow, the older boys and I, went out for a sled ride behind the four wheeler. What a blast! Well worth the frozen hands. Friday the 24th of February, we will be attending a "Go Local" event here in Wilkes. It will be at: 164 Union School Dr.  North Wilkesboro, NC (*Celebration Church)
This event is not endorsed or sponsored by Celebration Church

Bee swarm...ever feel this busy?

One more last event to mention, then I need to go to bed...We will be setting up a booth in Charlotte at the 52nd annual Southern Springs Home & Garden Show starting Feb. 29th thru the 4th of March. Stop by if you happen to be in the area!

2012 Real Food CSA

CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture”. Consumers and farmers work together on behalf of each other. While the farmer is tending the earth on behalf of others, consumers share the costs of supporting the farm and share the risk of variable harvests (and also share the over-abundance of a particularly fruitful years). Membership in the CSA is based on shares of the harvest. Members are called shareholders and they subscribe or underwrite the harvest for the entire season in advance. Each project handles this relationship in its own fashion. Every farm is different in length of season, crops grown, level of social activities and price they set for their shares. CSA is not about cheap food, which is usually neither nourishing nor grown with care of the environment in mind; it is about real food! We encourage you to compare prices of a share to the supermarket's "cheap food."

We have 2 main choices for this years CSA shares:

1. Veggie CSA - $450 Veggie’s Only (May 1 thru October6)
2. Meat/Veggie CSA - $625 Veggies + 12 chickens (every other week for chicken)
no eggs/soap this year. (May 1 thru October 2)

There is another choice for those of you that just can't quite afford a full, or can't find a partner to do a share with:

3. Half CSA - $250 (May 1 thru Oct. 6)

email us at: get-smelly@harmonyacressoap.com for more information, or call us at 336-696-8060

you can also visit our farm website: harmonyacresfarmfamily.com

Our gift to you...

Want a great stocking stuffer? We are offering 3 Soothing Mint Lip Balms, FREE, with every purchase, now until Christmas! If you haven't tried our Lip Balm (it deserves capital letters!), then you are missing out, and if you have, then you realize how special this Christmas gift from us is! Thank you for all of your amazing support!