PYO Summer Season Report: August 18, 2026
Our 5th You-Pick flower season continues, and each week something new is blooming! The most-picked flower is, of course, the dahlia. But our perennial rows are open as well and the hydranges are putting on a show.
Wander the rows throughout our entire farm, stroll the blooms, and cut your own bouquet filled with the best of what’s in season. Whether you’re picking flowers for your kitchen table, a special occasion, or simply because they make you smile, there’s nothing quite like taking home blooms you picked yourself.
We’ve always believed in being an open, transparent farm and giving our customers the chance to experience more than just the farm store — to see the fields, the flowers, and the land that’s all part of what we do here. Bring your walking shoes, because there’s plenty of ground to cover.
Reserve Your Pastured Turkey & Save
If a Northern Farm pastured turkey is part of your Thanksgiving plans, now is a good time to reserve yours.
Reserve by Labor Day and save 50¢ per pound. Our turkeys are $7.50/lb. and will be available starting November 21, 2026. Turkeys will be frozen.
A $50 deposit is required to reserve your turkey. When reserving, please indicate your preferred size:
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15–18 lbs.
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19–21 lbs.
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22–25 lbs.
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26+ lbs.
Reserve early to get the size you prefer—and save 50¢ per pound while you’re at it!
Our turkeys live the kind of life we think every bird deserves—outside in the fresh air, scratching and pecking around the pasture, and soaking up the sunshine. All that roaming and foraging makes for a turkey that’s not just healthier, but full of real flavor.
For us, it’s simple: good farming means taking care of the land, treating animals with respect, and feeding our neighbors well. When you bring one of our pastured turkeys to your holiday table, you’re sharing in the same values we live by here on the farm—and that’s something we’re proud to be part of.
Tips and tricks for the most enjoyable pastured turkey:
It’s important to note that a pasture-raised turkey is different than the factory-farmed bird. A pastured turkey is raised outdoors on open pasture where it can forage for grass, bugs, and other natural food sources, while a conventional, factory-farmed turkey is typically raised in a confined space with limited movement and fed primarily a grain-based diet in a controlled environment, often with added antibiotics to promote faster growth. The end result is that a pastured turkey has a richer flavor, more nutrients, and potentially a lower fat content compared to a conventional turkey.
If this is your first time cooking a pastured turkey, you’ll want to read below.
How long will it take to thaw my frozen turkey? It generally takes one day for every 4 pounds to thaw a fully frozen turkey in refrigerator set to 40 degrees F or below. If you’ll be brining your bird, you will want to allow for that extra time as well. Once thawed, your turkey can stay in the fridge for another 1 to 2 days before cooking.
How long will it take to cook my pastured turkey? Plan on 8-10 minutes per pound for an un-stuffed bird and 12-15 minutes per pound if stuffed. Roast, uncovered, at 325 degrees F. But please: don’t take your turkey out of the oven based on the amount of time it’s been in there. Take it out when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. A pastured turkey cooks faster than a conventional turkey because it has significantly less fat content due to its active lifestyle on pasture, meaning it cooks more quickly and evenly with less time needed to render the fat; essentially, the leaner muscle mass heats up faster than a fattier bird.
But shouldn’t the thermometer read 180 degrees? The USDA recommends that a turkey reach 180 degrees F, but that’s a guideline for factory farmed birds. Pastured poultry experts say 165 degrees F is the temperature you want so that your turkey doesn’t dry out. Make sure the thickest part of the thigh on your pastured turkey has reached 165 F.
To stuff, or not to stuff? We prefer to cook our stuffing separately. Stuffing recipes are different and therefore, the density will not be consistent, which means that cooking times will vary dramatically. Rather than putting stuffing in the bird’s cavity, we put in aromatics, like an onion, carrot, garlic and some fresh herbs.
Do I cook it covered or uncovered? Covering it will only make the skin rubbery and soggy. Do not put tin foil over the breast. It is an unnecessary waste of aluminum.
Breast side up or down? We roast it breast side down so the juices run to the breast. But this is merely our preference and either up or down is fine.
Tips:
Prep: Remove your turkey from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before cooking. To ensure you have a beautiful, crispy outside, use a butter or oil rub on the outside and underneath the skin. Again, because pasture-raised turkeys are leaner than conventional turkeys don’t be afraid to add a little extra fat!
Rest (the turkey, not you!): While it may be very tempting to get your turkey on the table and carved, make sure you let the meat rest 20 to 30 minutes. This helps redistribute the juices and keeps the meat exceptionally moist.
Leftovers: Pick the meat off the bird before making stock. If you plan to make soup from your turkey leftovers, be sure to remove all the meat from the bones before you boil the carcass for stock. Add the chunks of turkey back to the broth just before serving the soup. This prevents the meat from getting rubbery and stringy.
Active turkeys raised outside allow us to celebrate Thanksgiving in a way that’s in line with our values about how animals should be treated. We can honor the bird on our table knowing it had the best life possible at our farm. Thank you for supporting our small farm! Bon Appétit!
Real Ingredients. Real Meat.
Taste the Difference.
Our snack sticks, summer sausage, pepperoni, and sweet soppressata are made with our pastured and forest-raised meats and thoughtfully chosen ingredients—delivering clean protein and bold, honest flavor straight from the farm.
Our snack sticks come in seven flavors—Beef, Beef & Bacon, BBQ Beef, Garlic, Maple Beef, Original, and Teriyaki—making them the perfect grab-and-go snack for any time of day.
Bring our locally raised meats to your charcuterie board. Our summer sausage, pepperoni and sweet or hot soppressata pair beautifully with the delicious, locally made cheeses available in our retail fridge.
Plant Something That Lasts
We’ve brought in a beautiful selection of ornamental and fruiting trees—ready to go in the ground now.
At $45 each, it’s a great time to add shade, spring blooms, or future harvests to your space.
SALE! Buy 2 or more for $40 each!
Available at the farm store while they last.
Ornamental Trees
Royal Purple Smoke Tree
Deep burgundy foliage with a soft, smoky bloom effect in summer—adds dramatic color and texture.
Eastern Redbud Tree
One of the first signs of spring—covered in vibrant pink-purple blooms before the leaves emerge.
October Glory® Maple Tree
A fast-growing shade tree with brilliant red fall color—classic New England beauty.
Sweetbay Magnolia Tree
Elegant white blooms with a light lemon fragrance—thrives in a range of conditions.
Fruiting Trees
Freedom Apple Tree
A reliable, disease-resistant variety producing crisp, flavorful apples.
McIntosh Apple Tree
A New England favorite—tender, juicy apples perfect for fresh eating or baking.
Pink Lady Apple Tree
Crisp and slightly tart with a sweet finish—great keeper and fresh snack apple.
Red Delicious Apple Tree
Classic deep red apples with mild sweetness—well-known and easy to grow.
Methley Plum Tree
Early-producing with juicy, sweet fruit—great for fresh eating right off the tree.
Redhaven Peach Tree
A favorite for home orchards—freestone peaches with rich flavor and smooth texture.
Bartlett Pear Tree
Classic pear variety—sweet, juicy fruit perfect for fresh eating or preserving.
Shop Online!
Shop online and pick up at the farm!
Many of our items are now available to purchase online. If you are looking for a specific cut of meat or need a different pick-up date, please contact us.
Take a Tour of Our Farm!
Let’s Get Social!
Our Instagram feed will keep you up-to-date on the happenings at the farm and new arrivals in the farm store.
Gift Certificates Available!
A gift certificate is a great way to introduce someone to our wonderful meats and eggs—or to send a ‘care package’ to someone who already knows us!
Last minute gift?
E-gift cards are available! Select your design and choose the lucky recipient. You can even schedule when you would like to send your e-gift and add a personal message! What could be easier?
