It's incredible to think that this November marks nearly 7 years since we broke ground here at Amber Oaks Ranch.  Looking back over the past few years, it's truly inspiring to see the significant growth not just in our ranch and livestock, but also in our farmers' markets and customer base. Throughout this period, we've navigated numerous challenges, including the impact of Covid-19, extreme weather events, and the continually increasing costs across the board.

Despite all of these challenges, we've successfully maintained our prices at the same level since the onset of the pandemic. We have achieved this by implementing measures to control our costs including downsizing our vehicle, milling our own feed, farrowing our own pigs, and expanding our grazing land to reduce our reliance on hay purchases. All of these endeavors have come with a substantial initial outlay, but we are confident that they will pay off. Having pulled all the levers that we know of, we're hoping you can lend a hand.  If there's anything I've learned in farming, small changes have big impacts

1. Bring Us Your Empty Egg Cartons: 

 

 

Our Point-of-Sale system, Square, has increased their prices again. Square now charges us 2.6% of the transaction value plus an extra 10 cents every time we accept a credit card payment at the market. That adds up to about $1.25 per transaction, and it's even higher when you pay invoices online (2.9% + 30 cents). We'd really like to avoid shelling out a couple of thousand dollars every year in fees. Here's where you can play a vital role in helping us keep more of our hard-earned money. 

 

Instead of using your credit card to pay invoices online, consider dusting off that checkbook or bringing cash when you visit us at the market. Every little bit counts, and this change will help us keep more of our funds rather than sending them to the bank.

 

If you're not ready to part with the convenience of electronic payments, here's an alternative that benefits us both: purchase an E-Gift Card with cash at the market. You can then use this card for your online invoices, and it won't cost us any fees. The key is to replenish the gift card in person with cash or check. You can keep using it throughout the month without worrying about extra charges. When you come to pick up your order, simply reload your gift card by cash or check. We also offer physical gift cards if you prefer having something tangible in your wallet, and they make thoughtful gifts for your friends and family.

Spreading the word about Amber Oaks is a vital way to assist us. We've observed a significant dip in our market sales recently.  Not sure if it's the weather or the economy, but our August sales were notably lower compared to 2022. By sharing information about Amber Oaks, expressing how much you enjoy our products, and recommending us to friends and family, you're helping us increase sales. This boost enables us to quickly recoup our cost-saving initiatives from this summer. It’s a win-win situation: you become our hero, your friends and family can experience the exceptional taste of our high-quality meats, and we can recover our investments and plan confidently for the future. Your word-of-mouth support truly makes a difference!

 

It feels a bit awkward to approach you with such seemingly trivial things, but every penny counts, and we know we can count on you. We believe your involvement in these small initiatives can make a significant difference for us. Your role as the driving force behind Amber Oaks is invaluable. We deeply appreciate your dedication and look forward to catching up with you at the market soon. Thank you for being a vital part of our community.

 

We have duck eggs available once again, but quantities are limited so be sure to place a pre-order if you want to reserve some this week!

We still have 25 turkeys left and they're ready to find a new home for the holidays! Don't miss out—make sure to place your order soon and bring home a delicious turkey this year!

We're pleased to announce the Pflugerville Pfarmers Market's permanent move to the Green Red Barn at the back of Heritage Park. Say goodbye to the hot parking lot, and hello to shaded comfort with parking available next to the barn.