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Community Corner

Blue Moon Farm: A Collinsville Farmers Market Profile

A Good Steak, Some Homemade Seasoning & a Grill

Katie Murdock grew up on Blue Moon Farm with animals who were there to eat the land’s pastures and fill the family’s freezer.  Both Murdock and her brother retained their keen interest in farming, as they moved into adulthood. Murdock ultimately graduated from Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania, earning a BA in Large Animal Science with a minor in Agricultural Business. Upon her return from Pennsylvania, Murdock brought this knowledge back to Blue Moon Farm in Harwinton. 

Visitors to the Blue Moon Farm booth, at the Collinsville Farmers Market, will be greeted by both Murdock and her mother Gail.  They will eagerly share recommendations on the best cuts of beef and cooking tips.

“We bring a large variety of beef and pork cuts to the Market with us,” says Murdock. “All frozen and in coolers. I cut the meat into the various steaks and roasts, then everything is vacuum sealed and flash frozen to retain the high quality of the product.”

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About Town spoke to Katie Murdock, of Blue Moon Farm about farming and the market.

AT: Where did the name Blue Moon come from?        

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It goes back to when my dad was growing up. He used to show dairy calves, then went on to pulling oxen. This takes a lot of dedication; to train the animals daily then take them out to fairs and show them. He would win, “every once in a blue moon.” Hence the name. 

AT: What trends are you seeing in farmers markets?

There is a great movement towards local foods.  With all the information that has become available to the public in the last few years - between movies, books and research articles - more and more people want to know where their food is coming from.  And more important, what is in the food they eat.  The demand for local foods helps to grow local farmers markets.

AT: What’s your philosophy/practice re: using natural, organic or conventional feeds in the products you sell?

We raise natural beef. This means Blue Moon Farm uses no hormones and no antibiotics. Our beef is grass fed and grain finished. The blend of grains helps to enhance flavor by adding fat to the meat. We pride ourselves in having happy cows. They are free range; hormone free; and have plenty of food and water. 

When cattle are raised in feed lots, they’re given a low dose antibiotic every day and a hormone implant in their ear.  This implant costs a few dollars and in the end will get the farmer a few hundred dollars more per animal.  We just don’t agree with this. So, it’s not how we practice.

AT: What’s new at Blue Moon Farm?

The newest cut we’re now regularly offering would be the kelly dogs, or kielbasa. They're made from our own beef and spices, without nitrates or nitrites. We started carrying these at the end of last summer and they’ve become more popular.

AT: What is the one ‘must taste’ item that you offer?

My favorite steak is the rib eye.  We cut the rib eyes with the bone in, about 1 ¼ inches thick. This steak is full of flavor! 

AT: What’s the future look like for Blue Moon Farm?

In the last two and a half years, the meat business at Blue Moon Farm has grown dramatically, which has increased the size of the herd by about triple.  I hope with the increasing demand for local food and the growth of farm markets, along with continued advertising and promotion, I can further expand.  Currently, we process around 15 animals per year. I hope to be closer to 20 next year.

AT: How about a recipe?

Let’s keep it simple. Put a little steakhouse seasoning on each side of a rib eye steak. Cook it on the grill for 5 minutes or so, per side. For a rare steak, the temperature in Fahrenheit should be: 120 to 125; for medium rare: 130 to 135; medium: 140 to 145; medium well: 150 to 155; for well done: 160+.

Here’s the Deal:

Collinsville Farmers Market, Main St. Collinsville; Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. June 12 to October 23, 2011: www.collinsvillefarmersmarket.org. (Blue Moon Farm will have a booth every other Sunday)

Blue Moon Farm, 735 Plymouth Road, Harwinton; 860-485-0568: www.bluemooncattle.com, bluemooncattle@gmail.com.

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