Wow, what an absolutely amazing day we had yesterday at Amber Oaks Ranch for our annual Farm Tour! The ranch was bustling with over 80 guests who joined us to learn about our sustainable animal husbandry practices and experience farm life firsthand.

For those who couldn't make it, here's a brief summary of what went down. We opened our doors to the public on April 16th, inviting guests to join us on a tour of our 70-acre ranch. We took them through our sustainable practices, including how we harvest rainwater, practice rotational grazing, and manage our livestock. The hayride that we took around the ranch gave our visitors a great perspective of the ranch's various sections and the animals that call it home. 

What made this event even more special was seeing children interacting with the animals and the land. They got to hold baby chicks, collect eggs, play on bulldozers and backhoes, make friends with our livestock guardian dogs, and drink raw milk. The joy on their faces was priceless, and it was heartwarming to see them running wild and having fun.

 

Our farm tour was made all the more memorable thanks to the gracious contributions of Pierre Deyris of Pierre Deyris Apiaries  and Travis French of No Label Mushrooms. Their expert insights and deep knowledge of their fields were shared with generosity and enthusiasm, making for an unforgettable experience for our guests. 

 

Their dedication to sustainability and responsible farming practices was clear, and we are honored to have had the opportunity to partner with such inspiring individuals. The success of the tour is in no small part due to their time and energy, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to them for their valuable contributions.

 

We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together to promote sustainable agriculture and local food systems.

 

For those who missed out, we hope to see you next year for another unforgettable Farm Tour.

The event would not have been possible without the generous help and support of Tricia and Josh Sowers of Sowers Sustainable Farm. From helping plant the front flower beds to refreshing all 14 hanging baskets to general farm clean up, event set-up, and managing everything that goes on behind the scenes at a big event like this, they were instrumental in making the event a success.

 

A special thanks goes out to Darren and Summer Wheeler of On Target Outdoors for their invaluable contribution to the success of the event. Their assistance in getting the house organized, coordinating with caterers, and preparing and serving food and beverages played a vital role in ensuring everything ran smoothly.

 

We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to Michael Hammack, Molly's brother, who spent many hours preparing the delicious brisket and garlic sausage we served. This is the second year Mike has stepped up to cook for the Farm Tour, and we couldn't be happier with the results. During the event, we had a "tip the grill master" jar out, but several of you asked if Mike had a Venmo. If you'd like to show Mike some appreciation, you can send him a tip on Molly's Venmo @Molly-Pantalone-1. 

 

We were fortunate to have the support of Annie Burwell, our wonderful neighbor who generously offered to be our event photographer and medic. Her artistic skills were a valuable addition to the event, and we were lucky not to require her medical expertise.

 

We owe a debt of gratitude to Kimberly Hammack for her outstanding baking skills. She single-handedly prepared all of the delicious desserts for the event, and the fact that not a single crumb was left is a testament to her expertise. Kimberly's last-minute contribution of a diverse range of baked goods added the perfect finishing touch to the event.

 

The success of the event would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts and enthusiasm of our volunteers. We are immensely grateful for the time and energy they contributed to make it a success.