Idlewind Acres

03/09/2023

I don't think there is ever an "easy" day on the farm. Today, this precious guy surprisingly graced the world. (Thanks to the Ionia City Market suppliers that accepted with grace the last minute meeting cancellations!) We, with the help of our neighbors, got him and mama into our "maternity ward". At the same time I was taking care of this, a fox brazenly walked into the barn, took a baby chicken, and walked out right in front of me like it was nothing at all. Our most perfect farm dog, Charlie, was chilling in the shade. For many months now (maybe even over a year?), Matt and Lillian have been telling me its time to look toward the future as far as a farm dog goes. But it's hard. Puppies, in general, are hard - it's like having a baby. I'm too old and too busy for that! But, today, and for some time, Charlie has been telling us that he is ready to retire and to indulge in the good life that he has earned. I reached out to a couple of breeders this evening, but how do you replace the *almost* perfect dog (literally, the only flaw is counter-surfing)?

03/07/2023

The zucchini is in full swing! Starting next week, we will offer online produce sales with pick up at while we wait for our store license!

24/06/2023

The first Black Hungarian peppers of the season! These ones are super early. They should be in full swing in about three weeks. Just in time for the goal-date opening of Ionia City Market! But for now, these two will be a great addition to our dirty rice and shrimp lettuce wraps!

21/06/2023

The first zucchini of the season! This variety is fittingly called "golden zucchini," and it's delicious! We harvest our zucchini small, young, and tender before it becomes too seedy. As always, grown using our better-than-organic growing method - totally no-spray and the only fertilizer is from our own animals.

11/06/2023

We are still growing our local supplier list! You don't need to be "certified organic" to sell at Ionia City Market, but we do want suppliers that follow organic growing practices (because no one wants to be eating gross chemicals!). Flexible terms - wholesale or consignment! We'd like to send out our info email soon, so please email us at realfood@ioniacitymarket if you are interested!

07/06/2023

Have you ever seen such beautiful bacon?!?! Just back from the processor today. We're just starting out, and this was our third batch of hogs. We weren't super-pleased with the last batch...they were super fatty. This batch we grew out slowly and rationed their feed instead of letting them free feed. They were fed the last of the garden goodies last fall, and we supplemented their diet with eggs from our farm and our own hay. I think it was worth the extra time and work! We can't wait to stock it in !

01/06/2023

Mother Nature has not made it easy for us this year - going from frost fears to heat and drought within a week! But the tomatoes are in! Some are a little displeased, but they will come around. 3600 row feet of cherry tomatoes and heirlooms! We planted 18 beefsteak, slicing, paste, and salad varieties and 10 cherry tomato varieties!

15/05/2023

It was a sleepless night on the farm last night as we worried for our cherry tomatoes! Our farm runs 3 degrees lower than our local forecast. Happily, the tomatoes were unscathed!

09/05/2023

We are starting to put our supplier lists together! Email us at realfood@ioniacitymarket if you are interested in selling with us! Please include your name, farm name, contact number, products and amounts. ***Appropriate licenses required.***

05/05/2023

It was quite a surprise to be doing evening chores and find Molly in labor! I don't like to breed until the second year, and Molly just turned 1 in January. So these were "oops" babies! The first baby (the white one) was not in a good position (signs of dystocia, turtling, tongue hanging out, no hooves, etc). I (Stephanie) sent a family text along the lines of "OMG Molly's in labor!"

Lillian came to the barn in minutes with a towel. I ran to the Big Barn to get OB gloves, etc. Lillian made some sort of Alexa announcement, but I couldn't hear it. By the time I got back to the Small Barn, Lillian had delivered the first kid, cleared its nasal passages, and rubbed it to reinvigorate it. (Molly delivered a second kid without issue.)

All three kids are doing awesome!

Lilli is so in love with her first solo delivery that we have yet one more pet on the farm! (But the red one will be up for sale if you are interested in a cross!)

Our (human) kids can do such amazing things when they have the freedom to be independent!

04/05/2023

We are pleased to introduce Ionia City Market coming to Main Street this Summer! We are excited to provide our community with produce and meat from Ionia and Michigan farms, including our own farm, Idlewind Acres. Follow us for updates on our opening and offerings!

13/04/2023

We got bees! Getting them into the hive was terrifying and much harder than it looked on YouTube. 🤣 Hopefully, they will stick around!

18/11/2022

Snow days are the best days!

13/11/2022

13/11/2022

Happily, we do none of these things! We love our chickens and all of our other animals that produce fertilizer for our farm! And we love collaborating with our local, small farmers and artisans!

This was published in the 1920s!

21/08/2022

This is a very special tomato - it is the first red beefsteak I've ever been able to grow! Any other color, no problem. I don't know what it is about red beefsteaks. They are supposed to be easy. But I've never been able to grow one to harvest. That being said, it looks like this will be the only one this year! This is from my only surviving plant, and it seems to be the only one.

18/08/2022

Yes, please. https://www.agriculture.com/news/business/focus-farm-bill-on-small-farmers-not-corporate-ag-says-land-stewardship-project

The Land Stewardship Project said the 2023 farm bill should restore competition in the marketplace and pay farmers for practices that have climate benefits.

18/08/2022

Tomorrow is the last East Grand Rapids' Farmer's Market for the season, and we're going out with a bang! Heirloom tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, kale, basil, cabbage, watermelon and more! All grown with our better-than-organic, no spray method.

12/08/2022

We're here at the East Grand Rapids Farmer's Market! Everything was harvested late yesterday evening or super-early this morning! All grown with our better-than-organic, no spray growing technique!

09/08/2022

Come out and see us!

05/08/2022

Come see us in EGR today!

03/08/2022

Can't wait to be bringing peppers and tomatoes you can't find anywhere else!

29/07/2022

Yumminess at the East Grand Rapids Farmer's Market!

25/07/2022

These beauties are headed to tomorrow!

08/07/2022

We're all set up at ! Come and see us until 1 p.m. today!

01/07/2022

East Grand Rapids Farmers Market! Less than halfway through and we only have 1 Zucchini and some collards left! Next week come early or pre-order online: www.idlewindacres.square.site/s/shop

23/06/2022

Zucchini, collards, kale, basil, Swiss chard, a bit of lettuce...come and get it!

What's on your grocery list this Friday 8 to 1?

22/06/2022

Bringing Zucchini, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collards, Basil and more! Pre-order 100% Berkshire Pork and Oregano at idlewindacres.square.site/s/shop.

Family-friendly grocery shopping at its best. Local produce. Sustainable food chain source.