When Carrie and Eric Johnson decided to go into farming ten years ago, they planned from the start to build a business that, "would put shoes on our feet," says Eric. They are carefully and meticulously building Jordandal Farm, in rural Argyle to achieve their goals.

Carrie was recently able to leave her outside job to work on the farm full-time. Previously raising a variety of vegetables, they've narrowed the dirt farming down to potatoes. With partner Matt Walter the Johnsons have focused their efforts on beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and lamb.

Jordandal sells at the DCFM and West Side Community Markets. Their products are also very popular with local chefs. Quality is the reason.

Jordandal Highland beef is grass-fed and grass finished. They use no grain. Their sausages contain no MSG or nitrites and use all fresh, non-irradiated spices.

They raise Icelandic sheep, developed to grow and thrive on grass alone. Along with the meat, Icelandic sheep produce a dual-coated fleece known as one of the most versatile in the sheep world. They sell their fleece and yarn at the Argyle Fiber Mill, of which Carrie is a partner.

There is such a demand for Jordandal pasture-raised chickens that this year they will be raising and marketing over 6,000 birds. Once they are old enough to manage outside of shelter, the birds can range free, able to pick the insects, seeds, and other natural food from the pasture.

Later in the year Carrie and Eric will be bringing heritage turkey to the market. These birds grow more slowly than the supermarket variety of turkey. They are  smaller and have firmer and less breast meat than a typical turkey. The genetics in combination with pasture raising give these birds a flavor that makes them extremely popular around Thanksgiving time. The "regular" turkeys raised by the Johnsons also have superior flavor because of the pasture upbringing.

While you won't see it at market, the Johnsons also raise a few Jersey dairy cows. They sell the raw milk to area cheesemakers. This highly sought after raw milk cheese is sold mainly in Chicago restaurants.

The most recent project for the Johnsons is the line of frozen entrées they'll be bringing to market. Combining their meat with vegetables from area farms the initial offering includes pasties and soups in individual and family sizes. Carrie says they're working on a few final details before bringing them to market.

After ten years Carrie and Eric Johnson are starting to see the results of their hard work pay off. So much so that, according to Eric, he may soon be shopping for a new pair of shoes!

For more information:
Jordandal Farm
www.jordandalfarm.com
jordandal@tds.net
608-328-1052

We recently visited with Carrie and Eric. We saw
little lambs, chicks, calves, and a
beautiful singing brook.

Link to High Resolution Video

Link to Low Resolution Video

Sorry, this video probably won't work if you have a
slow or "dial-up" internet connection.

 

 

All week long we've been enjoying the spring garlic (shown above) that we purchased from Chris over at Middlebury Hills. We've so missed the taste of fresh garlic since our supply ran out in mid-February. This delightful first act was most welcome. For a couple of nice spring garlic dishes, check out the recipe section of last June's Middlebury Hills newsletter.

We wish Joe Cabibbo a speedy recovery. Joe broke his leg a couple of weeks ago but is recovering nicely. "We're still coming to market," he writes, "weather permitting." The leg has curtailed the Cabibbo's baking, so at least for the coming market they won't be carrying anything but biscotti. We'll keep you posted.

You may have noticed that Biggie has been absent from the Cress Spring Bakery stand for the past several weeks. That's because she's been awaiting the birth of her baby. Well, the wait is over.

Little Evelyn Hazel Heindl was born to Matt Heindl and Biggie Lemke on April 21, 2009 at 9:33 pm at the Madison Birth Center. At 7 lbs, 2 oz and 19 inches long, little "Beetle" Evelyn is almost as tall as her mother. Biggie promises to bring her to the market soon, where we'll try to get a photo or some video of mother and child. Congratulations Biggie and Matt. We're thrilled for you!

Don't miss out on the  Wisconsin Partners for Sustainability's  Auction for the Grassroots, raising money for area non-profit groups. This fun, on-line auction features participation by several DCFM vendors. The auction ends on Sunday, May 10.