Latestarter's ramblings/musings/gripes and grumbles.

[Latestarter]

Had the window above my head open about 3-4" last night for fresh air and to listen to the rain. Online says it's 67° here right now and it feels like it may be. I still have the AC on however because of the dampness. It hasn't kicked on in quite a while though, so good for the electric bill. Didn't hear any rain coming down when I got out of bed, but by the time I was ready to go do animal chores, it was raining again The goats are all under the decking out back. One of them must have heard me when I went out the back door as it started yelling for me. They know it's breakfast time. Thinking pellets followed by a flake of alfalfa since they're no going to want to graze/browse in this.

Checked the rain gauge and it was steady at 3". After my post last night, it started coming down in serious fashion. It rained really hard for several hours. Looks like the heaviest stuff is east on me now, running N/S and moving NE, so in an hour or two it should start clearing out some... Unless there's a lot more moisture back behind to come up this way.

Well, sprinkles, so I guess I better go get wet and feed the goats.

 

[Devonviolet]

I just checked the rain gauge. We have a whopping five inches!
Yesterday it was at 3”. So, we got another 2” overnight. Geez! It’s like a mud swamp out there!

We were all ready to load the truck and go to Farmer’s Market yesterday morning (at 5:45 AM), but awoke to torrential down pour. I had four special orders, that I had put together, and had promised the people we would be there, but I looked at the NOAA weather map, and and after agonizing over it, we decided to stay home. As it was, we would have had to load the truck and set up, at the market, in steady downpour. And then, it would have rained all morning. As hard as it rained, I’m fairly certain those customers stayed home anyway. What they ordered will be fine until next Saturday, when it’s supposed to be sunny and in the 70’s. Next time, I’m getting phone numbers, when people place special orders.

 

[Latestarter]

getting contact info - really essential! Sorry you missed out on the market... lost income for sure and hopefully not spoiled product(s)... Nice to hear from you as I know you're super busy and don't get on here like you used to. Hope you and DH are doing well!

 

[Wehner Homestead]

@Devonviolet I had the thought that you need some type of basic form for special orders already printed up. Place for name, what’s ordered and any specifics, phone number, and a place to mark if they paid in advance....

 

[Devonviolet]

Yes, lost income, indeed! But, from past rainy days, attendance was likely really low, so income would have been low anyway.

We're waiting for church to start. It's pouring again. DH torgot to empty the most acurate rain gauge. So it will likely overflow.

Yes, we are super busy these days. Sometimes I go several days before I even have time to think about checking BYH. Farmers market is finished the end if Oct.

 

[Latestarter]

you have a really strong finish DV... You might want to see if any of your regular customers want to continue to buy from you AFTER the market closes for the year... You know, give them something that they can contact you direct for products they want. Get their Email addresses so you can send them mail/flyers with new product offerings and such once a month. Just any way you can to generate contact with potential customers through the winter when no farmer's market to help you sell. Ask for customer referrals as well! Tell them to please forward your Email messages to friends and family who might benefit from the products as well.

 

[Baymule]

Our total rainfall so far is 3" and we are delighted. DH has been saying this is going to be a wet and cold winter. I am working (slowly) toward better organizing so I can do a better job of taking care of all the poultry this winter. Hmmm……. y'all know how that goes! Haha.

@Devonviolet and her sweet husband have a nice set up for Farmer's Market. We visited them one morning. Her baked items are to die for! The town closes off that street for the vendors, plus they shut down a section of Hwy 11 so people can park and walk across to the market. It is well organized and in the old section of town. I am glad that DV is getting such a good response to all her and DH's hard work. but i'll be a little glad when it is over.....she doesn't even have time for our phone chats any more...….

 

[Bruce]

You know, give them something that they can contact you direct for products they want.

I'm sure they would be happy to oblige. I buy a pound of ground beef each week from a couple at the market. She's 75, he might be older. No idea how they have so much energy but she says he does most of the outside work. All sorts of veggies, cider, maple, oil and vinager salad dressing, etc. After the market ends next month I'll be heading over to their place to pick up 30 pounds of ground beef to put in our little 5 cu ft chest freezer. Makes no sense to me to have them bring 30# to the market and bring to their "stand" so I can then carry it to my car wherever I may be able to park. Did the same last year but only 15# because I had also bought 15# from another vendor. They weren't there this year which is Nice younger couple with 2 girls and 2 boys about 7 - 13.

 

[Devonviolet]

Well, we got another inch of rain while we were in church. For a whopping total of 6 inches of rain in the past 2 days!

I like your ideas for order forms and sending out a winter news letter with special sales. If the customer picks it up at our farm, I can sell my cheese and fermented foods, like homemade sauerkraut, Kombucha and Kefir.

I will have at least one outlet for my personal care products. Here are just a few of them on my table at farmer's market.

The lady who owns the local herb shop/health food store, has asked me to sell my personal care products, and chicken eggs in her store once farmers market finishes. I'm also planning, to visit the health food store, in Sulphur Springs, to see if they want to sell ny products there, as well.

In addition to my news letter, I will also be able to sell through our farmer's market weekly sale. The sale's flier comes out on Monday early (with items being offered that week), and orders have to be placed by late Tuesday. I think they are then picked up on Thursday.

I am glad that DV is getting such a good response to all her and DH's hard work. but i'll be a little glad when it is over.....she doesn't even have time for our phone chats any more...….

I KNOW! I sure do miss our chats. It will be nice when I have time to chat again.

 

[Bruce]

Fabulous DV!!