Today I did a loop to three local farms that sell meat products produced from animals raised on their farms. I am doing some background work for upcoming Conservancy events, and getting some absolutely lovely products in my travels.
I don’t know which farm I have the longest history for buying their products. A toss up between Maple Lawn and Clark’s.
Turkey from Maple Lawn. Year round, did you know?
The fresh turkeys are available for Thanksgiving, but they also offer frozen items all year. Like these turkey drumsticks. My husband’s favorite part of the turkey, and perfect for soup.
Six in a package for $7. I brought them home, wrestled them apart with a boning knife and put them back in the freezer in two packs. Good for future stock making and soups. And, maybe roasting a couple on the grill on one of our warmer days.
We have already ordered a small (8-10 lb) fresh turkey to grill for our Thanksgiving celebration. We pick that up at Boarmans the day before Thanksgiving.
As for Clark’s, I went to find brisket. They are difficult to find around here. A limited cut when you are looking at small batch production of just a few animals at a time. I did get one.
Copper Penny is a new discovery for us. We have seen them advertised, but this morning I saw their Facebook page said they were going to be open on Saturday mornings since their farmer’s market over in Anne Arundel County has closed for the season.
I went looking for two things. Soup bones and kielbasa. We are on this quest for the best kielbo in Maryland (to rival my husband’s favorite from PA). I also found mini chorizo, and bacon ends.
Bacon ends are perfect to use, when cooking those CSA greens. Collards and bacon, for example.
All winter long, these farms and others in the area offer us an alternative to enjoy pasture raised and grass fed products.
I have some new places to add to my farm lists. My advice, though, go early if you don’t want to be disappointed. Clark’s was packed at 1220, and they were selling everything they had. Amazing following of locals coming there to purchase.
Copper Penny sold out of eggs before I got there, and the last of their chickens went too. Small farms. Nice to see that they have customers who support them all year.
My freezer now has just about all we need to get through the winter, until the markets and CSAs start up again next spring.
hocofood@@@
AnnieRie Unplugged 
Did you see in the paper that MD public television is filming a series about Maryland farms and one segment was filmed at Maple Lawn? (and does that mean those farm markets are going to get even more crowded??? Yikes !)
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