Field Trips and Fresh Pancakes on the Farm
Vintage Meadows has been a busy place the past few weeks! We had the privilege of hosting two special events for two different purposes, but each event filled our hearts in a new way. A group of first graders from a local elementary school visited our farm on May 15, and two days later, Vintage Meadows local farm pickup officially moved to our new facility. Read on to hear specific details from these exciting experiences!
First Grade Field Trip to the Farm
Students laugh as Farmer Cristina cools the pigs down with a spray of water!
Vintage Meadows was honored to host a group of 31 first graders from a local elementary school on Thursday, May 15. The day dawned bright and sunny. The Vintage Meadows tour guides assembled, putting the final details of the field trip together.
At 9:30 am, the school bus crept down our driveway, excited little faces visible in the windows. After a warm welcome and brief introduction from Farmer John, the students were divided into two groups and scampered off to their first stop of their farm adventure.
Destiny and Cristina led their group to the barn where they visited the chicks! Each child got to hold a chick and take a souvenir picture. Cristina shared how important warmth is for chicks in their early days and amazed the kids with the fact that a single hen can lay up to 300 eggs a year!
Meanwhile, John and Aimee took their group to meet our cows. With their big, soulful eyes, the cows watched as the students learned about the four parts of a cow’s stomach and how each one plays a role in digesting grass.
Other highlights included visiting our pastured chickens and watching their pen being moved to fresh grass. The pig stop was a favorite for many—students helped feed them breakfast and giggled as the pigs played in the spray of water Cristina provided to cool them off.
Stopping at a rocking chair in the shade, students listened to Patrick’s Great Grass Adventure, a picture book by Joel Salatin that celebrates the magic of grass! Then it was time for lunch. Thanks to Farmer Ryan’s creative handwashing station, everyone was squeaky clean before spreading out picnic blankets for their sack lunches.
When it was time to go, the kids said goodbye to the farmers and boarded the bus. One teacher looked back and said enthusiastically, “See you next year!”
See you next year, students! Hosting school groups is one of our favorite ways to give back to the community, connect with students, and share the joy of farming.
Local Farm Pickup: New Facility Openhouse
On Saturday, May 17, Vintage Meadows celebrated our move to our new facility with an openhouse for our local customers, marking the official transition of local farm pickup!
Since June 2020, Ryan and Katrina have hosted farm pickup at their home, the Vintage Meadows home farm. Now, local customers will be able to pick up their orders at our new location, of course with the same welcoming hospitality and delicious coffee.
We wanted to make this event extra special! Up until now, we’ve been preparing for this transition, but our space has been kept relatively to ourselves. On Saturday, the doors were flung wide (not actually because it was cold outside) and our customers were welcomed in for the first time!
Inside view of our first ever farm pickup at the new facility!
Family and friends appeared to pick up their orders in our signature red bags, greeted by Kalli's friendly face. Inside, however, Cuco fried sausage links, and Aimee was flipped sourdough pancakes and waffles. Beth and Cristina served breakfast, making sure everyone got plenty to eat. Stationed by the new espresso maker, Olivia created fun coffee drinks - made to order with maple syrup, honey, and homemade vanilla syrup.
In the Great Room, families gathered at tables to eat together and connect. Old friends reunited, and new friendships were born. Ryan and Katrina personally welcomed each guest as they arrived. Destiny led engaging tours of the facility, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what daily life at Vintage Meadows looks like. Meanwhile, just outside, adorable chicks from Feathered Farm Brothers waited to be snuggled, much to the delight of the kids!
We also featured a Vintage Meadows merch table, showcasing our new line of t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and stickers. Guests entered a drawing for a chance to win Vintage Meadows goodies—and we’re excited to congratulate our winners below!
Even though the weather was overcast and chilly, the atmosphere inside was warm and jubilant, threaded with gratefulness, joy, and a sense of fulfillment. We feel incredibly blessed to have this beautiful space available for farm pickup and the other events we have in store, and we are excited to share it with you all! Thank you for your support. Vintage Meadows can accomplish our mission because of you, and for that we are endlessly grateful!
Congratulations to the winners of our drawings for steak, ground beef, and merch: Lori, Ginny, and Cheryl!
