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While I am a firm believer that the perfect gift is usually homemade that comes straight from the heart, I do believe store-bought presents can be just as meaningful and needed sometimes.When I buy something from the store I usually try and follow these guidelines: It needs to be something usefulIt needs to be something of good qualityIt needs to be something that can be used time and time again… so that it is the gift that keeps on giving!Which is why when Roots & Harvest reached out to me …

Whether you’re experienced at raising meat birds or just getting started with your flock, an important consideration is how you’ll harvest your birds. This step in the backyard-to-table process can be the most exciting as you anticipate the delicious dinners to come. It can also be the most emotional — after all, you’ve been nurturing those birds since they were chicks. Fortunately, our Poultry Harvest Station, designed by Roots & Harvest staff, makes the harvesting process efficient and hum …

Having the proper equipment makes any job easier, and poultry processing is no exception. If you've processed your poultry with a homemade DIY scalding system, you'll appreciate the benefits of a purpose-designed Poultry Scalder. And if you're new to processing, it just makes sense to have what you need to make your first experience successful.A scalder is one of the most important items for successful home poultry processing. You spent time and money raising your backyard birds. Why not ensure …

If you plant your fruits and vegetables, you probably want to use them for your holiday meals too. Regardless of the fruit, you want to ensure that you can comfortably use it for a meal. But first, you need to ensure you keep your garden well-kept for when you need them.Some fruits and vegetables you need to use from your garden can be included with late fall foods and canned foods. Below are some ideas for your garden produce for the late summer and early fall foods in combination with the frui …

Does your homestead menu include “coop-to-table” meat birds? Or are you in the planning stages for a backyard flock? Either way, an important step is figuring out how you’ll defeather the birds.If you’ve ever plucked poultry by hand you know that it takes practice, skill, and patience. Plucking a few birds is doable but can be fatiguing and strain hands and fingers. Plucking dozens of birds is downright exhausting!And if your goals include the satisfaction of bringing a beautifully roasted whole …

Shrink wrapping is an ideal way to prepare meat birds for the freezer. Our Poultry Shrink Bags are a fast, no-hassle, and secure way to wrap poultry or small game using our Poultry Scalder (SKU #1644) or another hot water set-up. In addition to minimizing freezer burn, the clear, glossy bags give the birds or game a tidy, professional appearance. The concept is simple: Place the item in the bag, give it a dip in hot water, and the bag shrinks to form a tight fit that removes the air and protects …

Whether you’re raising a big flock of meat birds or have just a few backyard chickens, it makes sense to have the right equipment, so you get the best results from your time and hard work. One of the most important steps in poultry processing is the scald, which loosens the feathers and makes plucking faster and easier.Scalding is done by dunking freshly harvested birds into hot water. Doing so opens the skin's pores and loosens the quills so the feathers (including tiny pin feathers) can be pul …

Are you cutting up freshly harvested chickens to ready them for freezing? Portioning poultry in the kitchen? Deboning and skinning before cooking it? Are your wrist and hand sore from using a knife for this task? Using poultry shears makes the job so much easier and safer than using a chef’s knife, boning knife, or any other type of knife. Purpose-designed for these tasks, our poultry shears have heavy-duty, super-sturdy blades that readily cut through cartilage, joints, and bones. Plus, cutting …

Reliable, durable, and convenient, the SureSeal Vacuum Sealer is a kitchen workhorse. Once you see how easy it is to seal and store meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits, you’ll wonder how you got along without it!A vacuum sealer removes the air surrounding food that has been placed in a vacuum seal bag or container, and then it creates an airtight seal. When it comes to preserving foods, vacuum sealing has so many benefits over other storage methods. Foods stay fresher, don’t get stale, and are ea …

Garlic is an important ingredient on my homestead. I find ways to use it on the farm, in the kitchen and for my animals. Here in Ohio garlic is planted in the fall and harvested in late June. Being such an easy crop for us to grow, I make sure I have multiple beds dedicated to it every year. In honor of National Garlic Day, I will be sharing 3 different ways I use garlic on my homestead!One simple and easy way to use garlic is to incorporate it into Chicken magic water. Chicken magic water is a …