This is the second year Maysie's Farm shareholders have been able to order pastured poultry from Brian and Holley Moyer, owners of Green Haven Farm in Berks County. Brian delivers eggs to us twice a month and chickens once a month. His products are fresh, nutritious and delicious. Brian took some time from his busy schedule to talk to me last week as he made his delivery.

Brian's first farming experience was on a small farm raising wine grapes. He and Holley were interested in growing food and wanted a self-sufficient lifestyle; they bought Green Haven Farm six years ago and researched alternative and sustainable agriculture. They decided to start with chickens. Three years ago they raised 300 broilers and sold all of them, mostly to family, friends, and by word of mouth. When they saw it was a viable enterprise they logically looked to CSAs to promote and distribute their poultry. Along with Maysie's Farm, they also supply the Pheasant Hill CSA and are sought out by restaurants. They expect to sell 1200 broilers this year.

So what exactly is it that makes these chickens and eggs so special? Unlike supermarket chickens (or even free range chickens) which spend most or all of their time cramped together in dark barns, pastured poultry are raised on fresh, green grass with freedom of movement and access to sunshine. They are fed all-natural grains and organic supplements and are given no antibiotics, hormones or animal by-products. Wooden 10'x12' shacks on wheels are moved around the 15 acres every day and provide the chickens shade and protection from weather. Brian buys the chicks when they're one day old. They are specially bred to get big quickly and are ready for butchering at six to eight weeks old. All the butchering is done there on the farm. This is the most labor-intensive part of the operation; it takes four to five hours to butcher 65 chickens.

The laying hens are raised in much the same manner. They are protected by a low-charge electric fence that is moved regularly. Currently, Brian's laying flock numbers 300 hens. They each lay eggs for about two years, after which they become stewing hens!

Both Brian and Holley work off the farm as well: Holley for the county Intermediate Unit and Brian part-time as an audio engineer for television. They also have begun an exciting new venture by starting up a Farmers Market in Skippack, Montgomery County. Seven farms participate, selling produce, cut flowers, baked goods and fruit. Brian and Holley sell their poultry as well as lamb meat and cheese made from their goats. The Farmers Market, located on Rt. 73, is open on Sundays from 10:00-2:00 from June through October and has been a great success.

Green Haven Farm's mission is similar to Maysie's Farm; they are actively trying to make small farms stay viable. They believe that selling directly to the public is a big part of the answer. And they believe in quality, not quantity. Brian and Holley welcome any questions and comments and can be reached at (610) 944-9349. We wish them continued success, and thank them for providing us with such delicious and healthy chicken and eggs!