Smiling Dog Farm

06/15/2024

Poll: Take your best guess, in comments below, when one would have to start tomato seed, and then when you'd have to plant them out, in order to have ripe slicing tomatoes on June 15. I'll post the answer, from my own experience, tonight.

06/13/2024

I apologize in advance, farm friends. I don't use this page for political/controversial stuff. But I am today, because if you're a friend of the farm, you care about small agriculture and access to healthy food.

A state government (Oregon) has begun a new, unprecedented, overreach that, if it spreads, will spell the death of small farms like Smiling Dog Farm. It's ridiculous, and it has to be stopped.

Oregon has told farms that they cannot use groundwater (wells) for irrigation without buying water rights. For those of you who haven't lived in the West, water rights are VERY expensive. So huge ag can afford them, but someone growing produce for a farmers market most certainly could not.

So this completely arbitrary action is nothing more than an attempt to put small farmers out of business. Unless you want to be utterly dependent on big ag and big retail, keep your eyes out, friends. The war on food has begun.

As Oregon more actively enforces state rules around water usage, some farmers have learned that they’ve been operating illegally for years.

04/19/2024

World class mama, Pinta, one of our few remaining Ameraucana hens, has brought in a spring brood yet again. She's such a good teacher and a fierce protector of her little ones, even though the little brown one is probably the only one that is actually hers.

03/31/2024

My youngest, Bear, who was a fixture at our first couple seasons' markets, is going out on her own, with a new burger and breakfast stand at the Neosho Farmers Market this season. Her big opener will be at Street Food Saturday by Neosho Farmers Market, next week! Stop by and see us and try the Philly Cheesesteak Burger--it's Deeeelicious!

A love of cooking and a love of local food have combined in our new food stand, Bear Grills. We will be a regular feature at the Neosho Farmers Market for the 2024 season, offering handmade burgers created from Thogmartin Cattle Co. beef, Hatfield's ham and bacon, Smiling Dog Farm eggs and veggies, and fresh, homemade buns by Bear.

03/17/2024

The good news and the bad news from picking up my inputs for the garden this year. Good: The price per bag for fish meal was identical to last year. Bad: The bag has been made 20% smaller.

03/12/2024

The fluffy butts are still in overdrive! Eggs, anyone? $4 per dozen. I'll be delivering to Neosho on Tuesday, 3/12. Message with any requests.

02/26/2024

The winter freeloading chickens have put it on blast for the spring. Anybody need eggs? $4 per dozen

02/09/2024

It's not Valentine's Day without chocolate, so the candy equipment came out of storage at the farm. We're going to be setting up at the Nighthawk Gallery & Studio tomorrow, Saturday, February 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. as part of the Galentine's Event on the square in Historic Downtown Neosho. We'll be bringing Chocolate Cherry Cordials, handmade hazelnut truffles, white chocolate lemon cookie tarts, and some chocolate raspberry cookie sandwiches.

We're going to be fancy! Pennington Wines will be doing a tasting, and recommending wines to pair with our candies. Come down to the square to get your very own nibbles and sips, and score some points with your Valentine!

12/25/2023

All of us at Smiling Dog Farm wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas

12/07/2023

Farm friends, I must deliver a little bad news. We had intended to be selling our handmade chocolates at the Sip & Shop at Indian Springs Brewing Company, this Saturday. We have unfortunately had to cancel our participation in the event, due to some last-minute logistical issues.

We apologize to anyone who was waiting to purchase candy for holiday gifts at that event. If you need to place an order, we can still accommodate you before Christmas. Please just send a message and we'll work it out!

11/10/2023

HOMEMADE CANDY MAKES GREAT GIFTS!

The Confectionery at Smiling Dog Farm will enjoy its seasonal existence through December 23.

Because candy should be fresh and eaten immediately, we'll be filling custom orders only, except for the Sip and Shop event at the Indian Springs Brewing Companyon December 9, where you can pick up items on the spot. All orders through Christmas will be packaged in holiday decorative packaging.

Orders can be made by messaging the farm page.

English Toffee (milk chocolate or semi-sweet) 8 oz box--$10
Soft Butter Caramels 12 pc bag -- $5 minimum order 4 bags
Vanilla Cinnamon Candied Pecans 1/3 lb. bag-- $5
Hand-Rolled Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles, box of 16--$25

We need at least one week lead time to fill orders, so get your orders in soon for holiday gifts. When you message, please specify what you are needing, and when you'd like it ready.

11/05/2023

Friends, we have leftover candy, and that means you get a deal--half price! I'll deliver to Neosho or Joplin areas or meet you if you prefer.

English toffee, topped with semi-sweet or milk chocolate, $4 per box of approximately 6 oz.

Regular truffles in semi-sweet, milk chocolate, espresso, or mint, only $4 per box of six of your choice of flavors.

Keto-friendly truffles (less than 3 net carbs each) in semi-sweet or peanut butter, only $5 per box of six, your choice.

Vanilla-Cinnamon candied pecans, approximately 1/3 lb. bags, only $3.

And a limited number of caramels in either plain or chocolate, 12 pc. bags, only $3.

Stock up and have some yummies at a bargain! Message with your orders.

11/03/2023

My lovely candy-making assistant, Bear, who proves that the only thing I make better than candy is babies.

11/03/2023

Hand-rolled, hand dipped truffles are a special, decadent treat that you only get nowadays if they're home made. Heavy cream. Real Belgian chocolate couverture, and hours and hours of mixing, rolling, and individual dipping. There's a little love in every one. Come get yours on Saturday at the Handmade Holiday Market!

10/30/2023

The Confectionery at Smiling Dog Farm is open for business once again.

We just sat down after day 3 of prep for the big event--the Handmade Holiday Market by Neosho Farmers Market, coming next Saturday. This year will feature the reprise of fan favorites, English Toffee, our handmade rich and creamy Belgian Chocolate Truffles, the ever-popular soft, chewy homemade caramels and super-snackers, our signature spiced candied nuts.

Plus this year we're trying a couple of new recipes--some Keto-friendly treats, delicious old-fashioned Butter Mints (think of the little pastel pillows in every grandma's candy dish, only homemade with real butter), and a couple of surprises too.

Make sure you save the date to join us and almost fifty other local vendors across from the Neosho-Newton County Public Library, on Saturday, November 4, from 10-2, and take home some treats and your holiday shopping too!

07/22/2023

The cherry tomatoes went a little nuts this week. Red ones, 'black' ones, and yellow ones. All heirlooms, each slightly different in flavor, and all deeeeee-licious! Come down and see us at Neosho Farmers Market tomorrow, 9 to noon, and take some home, along with the recipe for my family's favorite, fast and easy Garden Pasta, using cherry tomatoes for the sauce!

07/07/2023

At Smiling Dog Farm, we love funny-looking tomatoes. Only a few are round. Many aren't red. Some of them have cracky shoulders and funky bumps. They're not like "store tomatoes." And that's just the way we like it. Why?

Because these weird looking tomatoes--over a dozen heirloom varieties homegrown right here on the farm--have a smorgasbord of tomato flavors. Rich and savory. Tangy and juicy. Low acid and a little sweet. Every one the pinnacle of the flavors that tomatoes should have.

It's July, and the weird tomatoes are coming on strong. Come see us tomorrow at Neosho Farmers Market and experience what tomatoes were always supposed to taste like. Bring your salt shaker!

06/12/2023

Although we are flattered by the experts' (rabbits) attention to our veggies, we're forced to wage a tech war against the ravenous little varmints. Here (sound on) is the opening salvo--to be placed with the motion sensor pointed at my beans, which are getting mowed with great regularity. Think they'll fall for it?

06/09/2023

Experts agree. Smiling Dog Farm's veggies are primo! This little dude was hiding out under some greens during harvest this morning. He's now chillin' in the woods.

06/02/2023

It's the peak of spring crop season, and the garden is putting out lots of crisp, colorful veggies! This week at Neosho Farmers Market, we'll have more fresh spring beets, new potatoes, spring onions, kale, chard, cabbage and kale, and this week (TA-DAH!) the first of the LEEKS! Don't miss out. Join us at 9 a.m. Saturday, and take home some veggie friends.

05/31/2023

This is probably a little petty, and I apologize in advance, but I need to say--417 Farm Classifieds is the worst classified group I've ever seen.

05/25/2023

At Neosho Farmers Market, we have something of a tradition--the Market Mashup-- when two of our vendors collaborate to produce something wonderful for our customers.

This week, our newest vendor has our newest mashup. Last Saturday, Erica of Easy Peasy - Healthy, Homemade Meals qu**ky snagged some of the primo, first-of-season beets from Smiling Dog Farm Smiling Dog Farm and worked a bit of juicing magic--a fresh juice with carrot, beets, turmeric and ginger.

Wow! Tons of antioxidants and the anti-inflammatory benefits of ginger and turmeric, frozen right after juicing to preserve all that good stuff!

Stop by and see Erica this Saturday to get yours. While you're at it, go check out the farm booth and get some fresh local veggies to make your own creations.

05/18/2023

We have a new market friend, folks! If you're local, stop by this Saturday and meet Erica!

https://www.facebook.com/195333123750/posts/10160269268523751/?mibextid=ZbWKwL

05/17/2023

Hey there friends! I have come upon a deal I couldn't pass up on some homestead hatched barred rock chicks. Too many for my place, so I'm offering the excess to friends of the farm for $2.50 apiece, straight run, with a discount for 20 or more. From my very rudimentary sexing skills, they appear to be a good mix of pullets and cockerels. They are 1-2 weeks old, and being fed organic starter. Can transport to Neosho, Joplin and immediate surrounds. PM for arrangements.

05/06/2023

Wow! What a day at the opening market of the 2023 season of Neosho Farmers Market. It was a GORGEOUS morning, and our biggest opening day offering of veggies to date.

It was so good to see everyone, and get to eat my favorite pan au chocolat from Wild Folk Bakery after a long winter's break.

For a bonus, our kale got a supporting role in today's special by Chef Adriana at Briar & Thistle on the square!

If you missed it today, catch us next Saturday!

05/02/2023

It's nearly here! The dogs are smiling--especially Mella the border collie.
The veggies are standing tall. And Saturday is the big day--opening day at Neosho Farmers Market .

We expanded our gardens, and will be stocked with beautiful spring greens, lettuces, and green onions, plus some early cabbages and broccoli, heirloom tomato and herb plants and a few more surprises. Join us across from the Neosho Public Library, from 9 to noon this Saturday, May 6!

03/02/2023

Join us!

http://www.NeoshoFarmersMarket.com/

01/28/2023

MEET THE TEAM

Today, hubs and I have been married 28 years. In honor of this occasion, we have added a team member to the SDF lineup.

Meet Filene, our new, old tractor. She's a quiet sort, so we don't know much about her past, except that she was born the same year as hubs, 1953, and she had to go recently for a little rehab with a gentleman in Carl Junction. Anyhow, Filene is a Ford Jubilee, and half again bigger and a few years younger than our beloved 9N, Frances. She'll be helping with blackberry installation and creating our third market garden space this winter.

01/15/2023

Did the pruning on the fruit trees today, while hubs collected and relocated the rocks (1,478,903 of them) that came up as we cultivated a new berry bed and planted 60 new berry plants. Lovely day outside!

01/15/2023

Amazon was good to us today. Two new LED plant lights just in time for my first trays of baby cabbages, broccoli, and kale, plus an incubator to hatch some extra baby chicks to be fostered by our broody hens this spring. 😁