Hi Neighbors!
OK, so it's been a little while since we posted anything, but rest assured that Porch HQ has been busy! We've been honing some of our skills and learning a LOT. But there's something we didn't expect to find: Eleven Oaks Farms! BUT, there's a trick to this review: we were blessed with so much information that we're forced to separate this experience into TWO! The first installment is of our visit in May. Keep reading to find out more!
When most people think of Pennsylvania, they think of its cities first – great historical places like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – and perhaps they think of Hershey, too. The truth is that there is a lot of space between the cities, and for as long as there has been a place called, “Pennsylvania,” people have been farming it. But they haven’t been farming the same way as Eleven Oaks Farm near Newville, PA. Our recent visit was an eye-opening experience that will not soon be forgotten.
We were met by Co-owner Mallie Shuster, who was more than
gracious in giving us a first-hand look at their very unique products: Japanese
wagyu beef and heritage Gloucester pork.
Wait, what? Yep – you read that
right – here in the rolling dales of the Cumberland Valley, you can find your
Angus, your dairy herds, all the vegetables you might want (except maybe
rhubarb?), being raised right next to high-end beef and pork.
So why this? How does one choose to say, “let’s do this” rather than doing what everyone else is doing? According to Mallie, the first taste of a waygu steak and sharing that experience with his family was what solidified the idea, and ever since, it’s been the chief focus of Eleven Oaks Farm. And family is what’s most important here, from the founders all the way to the newest farmhand, family is what drives these folks. And if you aren’t family, don’t worry, they treat neighbors the same way! Needless to say, we HAD to make a stop here a priority!
So what makes the way Eleven Oaks runs their farm so different? Three things: First, they are putting land that has fallen fallow back to use, turning forgotten acres back into productive ones. Secondly, they use time-honored traditional feeding/raising principles to produce a product that you cannot find on just any supermarket shelf. They way it was done centuries (and an ocean) ago, is they way it’s being done now, with a few modern accessories, mixing tradition with innovation. Thirdly….well, you’ll have to stay tuned for the next installment to find out about that!
As the farm has expanded from a simple straw-growing
operation to include livestock, it was clear that additional pastureland was
necessary. By working together with neighbors, leasing land and acquiring where
possible, Eleven Oaks has been able to put the ground – as well as some people
– back to work. But it’s not just
working – it’s working sustainably, economically, and as eco-friendly as
possible, utilizing local resources and personnel as often as can be. Locally sourcing feed, grain, and patronizing
local businesses helps everyone.
According to Mallie, it simply adds to the “value chain.”
But what about those time-honored feeding/raising principles? We are glad you asked! Personal attention is key here: every member of the herd gets personal eyes on it, every day. This helps spot disease, injuries, odd behaviors, and even the occasional field birth, and enables the staff to take the appropriate steps of moving the herd to a safe and stress-free designated area. This goes for all stages of life to ensure proper breeding and secure the bloodlines for both the bovine and the porcine herds. This could mean anything from bottle-feeding an abandoned calf or piglet (it’s unfortunate, but it happens) to giving private birthing areas for the comfort and safety of the animal. Are they spoiled? Perhaps, but don’t tell them!!! Computerized tracking (remember, innovation) helps identify which animals have been bred, and dictates which pasture they need to be in for the health and safety of each animal, and the quality of the product. Quality is more important than quantity with this family.
So what’s the goal for the future of Eleven Oaks Farm? To make the finest product they can, in the best and most conscientious way possible, and to do it side-by-side with their family and neighbors. After all, “Being a neighbor means a lot more than just living next door to someone.” We couldn’t agree more.
So, if you’re ever in the Cumberland Valley area and you’re
looking for something for the grill, check out Eleven Oaks. Oh, and if you aren’t in the immediate
area…..they ship, too!!! See their
website for more, and don’t forget to visit their online shop, too! www.elevenoaksfarms.com. We know we’ll be back, and we can’t wait to
see how they continue to grow!
BUT wait - there's more! Just in case you don't already know about our facebook page, check us out for more content - particularly a video visit of our trip to Eleven Oaks Farm! You can find us at:
www.facebook.com/porchview2020
Thanks for sharing another view from the Porch!
Your Friendly Neighbors,
Krystal and Bill
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