Jan-Mar 2023 Updates
(FARM UPDATE MARCH 2, 2023)
We are kicking off March with a brunch and two classes! If you would like to attend, please sign up through the website or RSVP to this email or 540 570 0744 byy FRIDAY, MARCH 3. (This really helps us ensure we are prepared with enough materials ) More on these events in a moment, first a farm update:
It has been another full week (what's new?). Sunday's class in the greenhouse was so much fun! 23 lovely folks came out to play in the dirt awhile and get things started for their gardens. Several of their seeds have already germinated and are greening up the greenhouse!
Speed dating on Monday was a blast. This was a trial event, but it went so well- you can expect to see more speed dating on the Stormbrew calendar. We will have several different sessions with age groups for more likely matches :)
Tuesday we presented our pitch for the Washington County Small Business Challenge. This has been a six week process of classes, leading up to the final pitch night. We will know the results on March 16th.
Now onto the classes!
Sunday, March 5th, 10am-2pm- Brunch Club
Sunday, March 5th, 4pm-6pm- Meal Prep Class
Monday, March 6th, 6pm-8pm- Fermenting Class
BRUNCH CLUB
$35 per person for an all-you-can-enjoy experience. Spend a leisurely morning at the farm with your scratch-made favorites like biscuits & gravy, deviled eggs, local bacon, and so much more. Only ten tickets per time slot. Reserve your seat by Friday!
We will be hosting these every Sunday in March. If you can't make it this week, be sure to reserve for next week by Wednesday.
Tickets are on our website or you can reserve your place by RSVPing to this email or 540 570 0744.
MEAL PREP CLASS: MEATBALLS
Come hang out at the farm Sunday afternoon and learn our favorite oven-baked meatball recipe. Once you learn the easy prep for this meal, it's as simple as make it, freeze it, and heat it up on days when you're too busy.
Each guest will prepare their own meatballs to take home and will be sent with Stormbrew Red Sauce (made from tomatoes and peppers preserved in 2022) and baked spaghetti squash. This gluten-free, low-carb meal is always a hit in our home.
Each ticket includes a tasting during class, a four-serving meal to take home, and instruction. Learn about how to hack a spaghetti squash, simmer a scratch-made sauce, and get meatballs to hold together without breadcrumbs! BYOB if you like and definitely bring all of your cooking/prepping questions.
Please register or RSVP by Friday, March 3. Tickets are on our website or you can reserve your place by RSVPing to this email or 540 570 0744. Student tickets available!
FERMENTING CLASS: GINGERBUG
Come out Monday evening to learn how to craft homemade fermented soda!
It's no secret that gut health is a key factor to overall wellness- we have all been told to add more fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi to our diets. Gingerbug is a naturally fermented soda made from fresh ginger, a little sugar, and water. Once your starter is made (much like a sourdough starter) you can use it to craft bubbly, good-for-you drinks using any juice you like!
Dip your toes into the world of fermenting with the first of our March Fermenting Classes! Only $30 per person and includes refreshments and everything you need to craft your own gingerbug starter.
Please register or RSVP by Friday, March 3. Tickets are available on our website or you can reserve your place by RSVPing to this email or 540 570 0744. Student tickets available.
Where to find flowers this week:
Head to SONDER in downtown Abingdon, VA (old Abingdon Olive Oil building) and grab a bundle of flowering branches to make a springy statement in your home.
Growing up, my momma always cut branches in the early spring and brought them inside. Watching these twigs transform into flowers endlessly captivated me. Share this experience in your home this weekend :) SONDER is open now through Saturday. $7/bundle.
That's all for now, folks! Looking forward to seeing you at the farm this Sunday & Monday. Thank you for making this real
Take care,
Daisy
Good morning! (FARM UPDATE JAN 31)
Our email list has grown considerably during the month of January (woohoo!), so I wanted to extend a warm welcome and thank you to the new readers. Email is the most direct way to share information in this age of social media algorithms. I appreciate your willingness to connect with the farm on this platform.
Farm happenings:
-Last year we applied for the Fresh Start Cost Share Program through Virginia Cooperative Extension. This program was for farms seeking to improve their GAP standing (Good Agricultural Practices), which means we were able to do improvements on our farm facility to ensure provision of clean, food-safe produce. Today we had our final approval! We will be partially reimbursed for improvements such as our walk-in cooler, our produce wash sink, and public bathroom.
-We have started the first seeds of 2023! Last friday we seeded our first trays in the greenhouse: shallots, garlic, bunching onions, strawberries, lemongrass, shiso, and sage (all from seed!). If you are growing any type of allium from seed this year, now is a great time to get them going. They actually need the colder temperatures this time of year to get started. You can start your own chives, bunching onions, or sweet onions in a milk jug greenhouse. Interested in more seeding tips and tricks? We have a class for that.
-Dried flower crafting was a blast! It was a cold and wet Sunday, but our crafters came out to enjoy a hot sheet pan meal, Stormbrew beer, and a couple cozy hours of crafting in the farm building. What we love about the design of our building- you can make as much of a mess as you like (and I think that's a big part of the fun). Gorgeous dried flower wreaths and sweet floral Valentines filled the afternoon with thoughts of the fresh flowers to come.
LAST CALL
-Monday, February 13th, 6pm - Prix Fixe Valentine's Dinner with ASD
--Only FIVE tickets remain for this one-of-a-kind dinner. This will be an intimate dining experience unlike anything else you will find for the holiday. Tickets are $100 each or $200 per couple. Each ticket includes charcuterie, four courses of scratch-made fare, wine, and support for a great cause- sustainable agriculture in SWVA. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available. View the menu and reserve your spot here.
-Sunday, Feb 5th & Monday, Feb 6th- Healthy Chocolate Making
--Tickets are nearly gone for this hands-on event. Appropriate for all ages, we will teach you our guilt-free chocolate recipe (perfect for those trying to reduce sugar intake and work with cleaner ingredients). Guests will adorn their chocolates with various fillings and flavors. While the chocolate sets, guests will have the option to decorate their chocolate boxes and even make an old-fashioned valentine. As with all Stormbrew classes, a snack is included and Stormbrew beer is available for purchase. BYOB if you like. Kids tickets $20, Student tickets $30 (use code LOVE during checkout), Adult tickets $45. Sign up here.
-VALENTINE'S ORDERS
--Yes, we can do flowers for Valentine's Day! I am finalizing my flower order today (it's a big flower holiday, so I have to pre-order to ensure I get flowers). We have several options, starting at $20. Read our offerings below and pre-order your flowers here.
More of a last-minute shopper? Good news. SONDER in downtown Abingdon will have a selection of our arrangements Friday, Feb 10th.
Wrapped Bouquet $20
-a wrapped armful of flowers
Old Hollywood $50
-an arrangement built in a unique vintage vessel
Showstopper $100
-a massive vase of flowers
Lots of Love Bundle $100
-10 bud vase arrangements to give to all your loves
Little Bit of Love Bundle $50
-5 bud vase arrangements to give to all your loves
SOMETHING NEW
-We are now offering take-and-bake meals! Let us do the prep for you- all you have to do is turn on the oven, dump your meal on a pan, set a timer, and then enjoy. Our meals are low carb & gluten-free. If you need a helping hand with your 2023 resolutions or just a night off from cooking, these are a perfect solution. As we ramp up this program, meals are pre-order only, but we are working towards having a large supply for on-the-fly dinners. Only $25 to feed a family of four! You can view the available meals here. This program is in beta testing and we appreciate all questions & feedback.
Thank you for taking the time to read our goings-on :) Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions & suggestions.
Take care,
Daisy
stormbrewfarm@gmail.com
540 570 0744 (text preferred)
Shelby & Lauren giggle while they craft some beautiful, everlasting wreaths with dried flowers.
Our savory pork take-and-bake dinner. Join us for meal prep class to learn or order one ready-to-go through our website.
Farm Update: JAN 16
We are gearing up for the 2023 season here on the farm. The first week of the year was spent planning events, classes, and activities to create opportunities for hands-on farm experiences. Today we finished the seed order and greenhouse work begins next week. It won't be long before tulips are peeking through mulch and the fields are seeded with spring greens. From an elevated dinner to Valentine's crafts to speed dating, we've planned all the entertainment you need to get through until spring.
CLASSES
Tues Jan 24, 6:30pm - Tea Blending with Lori of Appalachian Teas & Botanicals
Discover your Signature Blend
$45
Sun Jan 29, 3pm - Dried Flower Crafting
Create a masterpiece to take home from Stormbrew-grown dried flowers
adults $45 - students $30 - kids $20
Sun Jan 29, 6pm - Meal Prep Class
Learn new skills, new recipes, and take a meal to bake at home
adults $45 - students $35
Mon Jan 30, 3pm - Dried Flower Crafting
Create a masterpiece to take home from Stormbrew-grown dried flowers
adults $45 - students $30 - kids $20
Sun Feb 5, 3pm - Healthy Chocolate Making
Learn a healthy recipe for home-made chocolate and craft you own candies and chocolate box to take home
adults $45 - students $30 - kids $20
Mon Feb 6, 6pm - Healthy Chocolate Making
Learn a healthy recipe for home-made chocolate and craft you own candies and chocolate box to take home
adults $45 - students $30 - kids $20
Mon Feb 20, 6pm - Meal Prep Class
Learn new skills, new recipes, and take a meal to bake at home
adults $45 - students $35
Sun Feb 26 2pm, 3pm, 4pm - Seeding Class
Join us in the greenhouse to learn seeding basics and start some plants of your own
$20
EVENTS
Mon Feb 13, 6pm - Elevated Valentine's Day Pre-Fixe to benefit Appalachian Sustainable Development
Charcuterie, wine, and four scratch-made courses
All proceeds benefit ASD
Show your love with an exclusive farm dinner for two
Tickets $100 each
Mon Feb 27, 6pm, 7pm - Speed Dating
Meet new friends in a relaxed environment
Charcuterie and refreshments included
Stormbrew Farm beer on tap
$10
VALENTINES GIFT IDEAS
A one month flower subscription delivered to home or office.
23 weeks of flowers delivered to your love (or yourself!)
Dinner they don't have to cook (take & bake meals starting at $25)
An elevated, four-course farm dinner for two.
Fresh flowers (pick-up from farm, Wolf Hills Coffee, or SONDER in downtown Abingdon)
Make chocolates & valentines together.
Dried flowers to represent everlasting looove.
LOOKING TO REHOME OUR LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOG
It saddens us to come to the realization that our sweet Percy really needs to be on a farm with livestock. Since moving the farm to Abingdon, he hasn't had any goats to guard and he has gotten bored. Percy is 3 years old, even-tempered and very friendly. He would thrive on a farm with a lot of fenced pasture and animals. Excellent with children, cats, and dogs. Asking $100 rehoming fee to ensure he goes to a good place.
IDEAS FOR BOUQUET DROP LOCATIONS?
We would love to partner with other businesses to act as central locations to drop our subscription bouquets. Shops, restaurants, or other places that folks can conveniently stop in to pick-up their weekly subscription. Please let me know if you have a place or recommend one! We plan to extend our delivery route to Bristol, TN this year.
Thank you for making it through that long email. 2023 holds a lot of potential. It's time to start growing!
Take care and please contact me with any questions or comments.
Daisy
Visit https://www.stormbrewfarm.com/events to learn more. Visit https://www.stormbrewfarm.com/farmstore to purchase tickets. Email stormbrewfarm@gmail.com with any questions.