Welcome back! As always, this month's Rancho Roundup features all the latest exclusive news and announcements for our subscribers. Since the last edition, there have been a wealth of activities at Rancho Almasomos.
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Planning and Planting for the 2023 Growing Season |
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Rancho Almasomos has been busy gearing up for the spring and summer planting season. We have restarted our test garden. Before we scale farming operations to our larger fields, we are testing more than one hundred different varieties of organic and biodynamic seeds to determine which seeds are best suited to our unique desert climate, our local soil, and our capabilities.
Robust data tracking and analysis is a big part of our commitment to mindful biodynamic growing standards. We are excited to see the fruits of our test vegetable garden’s second season. By listening to what the land is telling us, instead of forcing what we want upon it, Almasomos can create a thriving ecosystem that supports healthy soils, nutritious food, and agriculture practices in harmony with nature. Our dream is to provide future guests with farm-to-table experiences, including a chance to enjoy fresh biodynamic produce.
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In preparation for planting, our team has been readying the garden with our keyline plow, which maximizes planting depth, as well as loosening and aerating the soil without flipping it completely over like a rototiller or other conventional tilling methods would. No-till techniques like the one we are using help decompact the soil for planting and they form rows—but without losing the important soil life and essential moisture we’ve been working so hard to amass. We’re adding in fresh biodynamic compost and updating our irrigation to ensure that our plants receive adequate amounts of nutrients and water. |
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Eggs are an excellent source of fats, proteins, and essential vitamins—but not all eggs are created equal. So, what makes a “good egg”? And how do you pick the best eggs to eat?
A good egg is sustainably and ethically created as well as nourishing and enjoyable to eat. This is why we believe biodynamic farming practices are crucial in egg production.
The biodynamic method emphasizes ecological vitality, and it only uses natural inputs to promote soil health, animal welfare, and biodiversity. It stresses nurturing relationships and balance between all the farm components, including ethical livestock management. It should come as no surprise that happy, healthy chickens lay better eggs.
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But for an egg to be considered truly “good,” there are other factors to consider. The egg’s freshness is paramount. Eggs naturally have a protective seal on the outside called a “bloom” that prevents bacteria from entering the shell. Both conventional and organic store-bought eggs are required by law to be washed, which actually removes this protective layer. Without its bloom, an egg only has a shelf life of about two weeks. But fresh eggs straight from the chicken, with the bloom still intact, can last up to three months if they’re refrigerated.
Some farmers do prefer to wash their eggs because the shells often get dirty when the eggs are being laid, but retaining the bloom as long as possible is ideal. Regardless of the bloom, the egg shell of a good egg is obviously unbroken and has no cracks.
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Once cracked open, the inside of a good egg has a thick, firm egg white and a shiny and plump yolk. The color of the egg yolk is important. A deep orange indicates the chicken had access to high-quality feed, abundant in carotenoids, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to making the egg more nutritious, these nutrients enhance the flavor of the egg. When farms prioritize chickens’ well-being, as we do, by giving them an environment where they can thrive—including getting ample sunshine, nesting in the soil, scratching in the earth for insects, and moving freely around—the overall quality of their egg yolks is significantly better.
Why do eggs taste the way they do? A good egg should have a strong and distinct flavor—in contrast to the “generic” mild taste of store-bought eggs. Farmers can actually shift the flavor notes of an egg by supplementing a chicken’s diet with particular grains, seeds, grasses, and legumes. For eggs to be certified biodynamic, chickens must be fed a diet free of pesticides, hormones, and synthetic chemicals. And their feed must be organic or biodynamically produced.
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In addition, biodynamic farms are not allowed to clip beaks, unlike conventional and certified organic farms, where the tip of a chicken's beak is cut off to try and prevent chickens from injuring each other when they are agitated and kept in tight spaces. Animals that are allowed to grow and develop naturally, with the space they are meant to have, live much happier, healthier, and pain-free lives, and their immune systems can fight off most diseases without antibiotics or other inputs.
A “good egg" (or a rotten one) is the product of many things. But there is no getting around the fact that the best eggs for consumption are the products of healthy, happy chickens, raised in an environment that fosters their natural behavior and that are fed an ample and diverse diet. When you choose to consume a biodynamic egg, you are supporting ethical, sustainable, and holistic farming practices, and you are getting a richer-tasting and more nutritious option.
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Attention everyone! Here’s the announcement you all have been waiting for. Rancho Almasomos is proud to announce that we are throwing our first Earth Day celebration on Earth Day, April 22nd! This event promises to be a day filled with both fun and educational activities.
We will kick off the festivities with an introduction to biodynamic farming and a hands-on tree planting in our orchard. Next, will be hayrides, carnival games, delicious local food, refreshments, and live music. We would love for you and your family to celebrate our planet together, so mark your calendars for Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Rancho Almasomos.
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We can't wait to see you at our Earth Day celebration! Space at the ranch is limited however, and we expect a great turnout. So, we highly recommend you take advantage of our discounted advance tickets available on our website through April 21, 2023.
Purchasing advanced tickets guarantees your event entree.
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" It is not from ourselves that we learn to be better than we are."
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That’s it for this month. Keep an eye out for the May edition of the Rancho Roundup. We have so much more to share with you. Don’t forget to buy your tickets for our Earth Day Celebration!
Rancho Almasomos is also proud to support our neighbor, Ruth Waddell, at her Open Studios art event sponsored by the Sedona Visual Artists Coalition from April 28th - 30th from 10 am to 5 pm. Link to learn more: Open Studios Tour
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