Gilded Fern Farm-dairy
We are a family operated fromagerie, creating artisan cheeses with milk sourced from our own animals. Access to a particular milk helps determine our particular cheese. We are always evolving as does our milk supply.
Most recently, we moved from our NH location of 3 acres to Kansas with 147 acres! We are so excited for the possibilities. With pasture in one of the best areas of the country, we can now provide ourselves with grass-raised dairy. This is tremendous when it comes to cheese making. Another benefit of being located in the middle of the lower 48 states is that shipping our cheeses is now an easy option.
Our passion is not only cheese making. We are also passionate about farming and the life that comes from the effort of farming. While modern life provides the many comforts and luxuries we all enjoy, the farming life provides nutrition to our soul! Regenerative farming/permaculture is something we feel strongly about. We don’t want to work against God … we want to work with Him, being flexible in our goals and ready to change course when something doesn’t seem right.
Bella Soaps-soaps and lotions
Bella Soaps are natural, hand-crafted soaps scented with only essential oils and natural colorants that come from the Earth and plants. They are free from harmful chemicals and dyes.
Bella Soaps are made in small batches with lots of care and attention to ensure the highest level of quality. A traditional cold process method is used.
The soaps are slowly cured for 4 weeks with each bar being unique in nature and varying slightly in size, shape, and weight. Oils known for their nourishing qualities are used such as coconut, olive, castor and, sustainable palm, etc.
CatSpring Yaupon-teas
Yaupon is the only caffeinated plant, native to North America. Think of it as a very special cup of “tea.” Nothing touches these leaves but sunshine and rainwater, so CatSpring Yaupon is as sustainable and natural as it gets.
- No tannins: your tea will never turn bitter, no matter how long or how many times you steep.
- No pesticides: just natural and organic flavor with every sip.
- No international shipping: so you can feel good about your low carbon footprint.
Smith and Smith Farms LLC -eggs
Established in August 2020, Smith and Smith Farms is run by husband and wife duo Clay and Jackie Smith. Their business mission and personal passion is to provide affordable, nutritious and wholesome food in a manner that respects the animals, the land and the people who enjoy both.
They raise their animals in conditions as close to their natural habitats as possible to ensure their physical and mental well-being, as well as the most nutrient dense food you can find. “We take our roles as stewards of the earth and God’s creatures seriously, and we hope you enjoy our efforts”.
Thank You and God Bless,
Clay and Jackie Smith
*What’s all this on my eggs?*
There are several things that could be on your eggs! One important thing on your eggs is a coating of harmless protective bacteria naturally produced by the chicken that prevents the eggs from going rotten at high temperatures. This beneficial bacteria is how the hen is able to fill a nest with eggs, one egg and one day at a time, before she settles down on her nest to hatch her eggs with her body heat.
Another thing that may be on your eggs is dirt, hay, or even a feather. The reason we don’t automatically remove those little surprises is that it requires washing the egg, and that would wash off the protective bacteria keeping the egg fresh.
Commercially produced eggs that are often found in the supermarket are required to be washed, heavily chemically treated, and in the case of white eggs, literally bleached for visual uniformity. Because of this rigorous “beautification” process, the egg loses all natural protection against rot, and that is why supermarket eggs must be refrigerated. These processes also take time, and so by the time you eat an egg purchased from the supermarket, it is often at least 4 weeks old!
In many other first world countries, it is more common to find eggs like ours that do not need to be refrigerated because the natural integrity of the egg was left intact.
*I’m ready to try unwashed eggs. Any tips?*
Your unwashed eggs will last on the average countertop (75 degrees fahrenheit) for at least one week after buying them from us. Pop them in the fridge when that 1 week marker comes up and they’ll last about a month more.
When cooking with unwashed eggs, it is not necessary to wash the shell unless the egg shell is part of your dish (boiled eggs). It’s not strictly necessary even then, but you may not enjoy finding a small feather or piece of hay in your boiling water.
You should wash your hands when cooking with any eggs, washed or not. While the risk of salmonella is exceptionally low, especially when hens are raised free range and not in a dirty, crowded commercial facility, we are legally bound to tell you to play it safe. 🙂
*What can you tell me about the hens that laid my eggs?*
The hens that laid your eggs are spoiled rotten! They are free range and spend the majority of their days walking around our property, eating all the greenery that is found on a natural Kansas prairie and all the tasty bugs and grubs that live in such a habitat. We also give them chicken safe table scraps. On rainy days, some of our flock prefer to stay in their coop (an 8×40 shipping container) and eat the non-gmo, corn free and soy free pelleted feed we have for them just in case, but the vast majority don’t mind a stroll in the rain to look for tasty earthworms and slugs. On sunny, hot days they enjoy the shade of our trees, a kiddie pool and multiple waterers stationed around our property for ease of access.
We have multiple breeds of chickens. Our biggest portion are Barred Rocks, who lay light brown eggs. We have Rhode Island Reds and Brown Tetras, also light brown egg layers. We have Naked Necks who produce lightly speckled eggs, as well as Polish, who produce slightly smaller white eggs. We also have Ameraucanas and barnyard love matches, hatched from the very first flocks we owned. We love our birds, and we like to think they love us back.
Thank you for reading,
Smith and Smith Farms LLC
Triple B Beef
We are a 4th generation family owned ranch that started back in 1995. Our farm is a cow/calf herd that are an Angus/Simmental cross to provide the best from both breeds; Simmental for growth, vitality and easy calving. Angus for milk production, meat marbling and tenderness. We strive to provide healthy wholesome meat produced without the use of synthetic hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides. Our cattle are raised with the least amount of environmental impact at an affordable price. Most of the cattle are finished with local or home grown grains.
