Category Archives: Farm Updates

Spring Farm Visit: Caprino Royale

May 14th, 2013

Our Urban Acres store team is on the road again today visiting some of our local farm partners. First stop: Caprino Royale in Waco, home of the best goat cheese on the planet that we sell at UA.

Back row: Eric from Caprino, UA’s Andy, Hunter, and Samantha
Front row: Karen from Caprino, UA’s Amber

Eric and Karen from Caprino are currently working on a new blue cheese that we’ll be carrying soon, and they’ve also launched farm dinners that are already sold out with a wait list. This fall, they’ll start hosting farm days so you can visit Caprino Royale and meet the playful goats. So fun!

Currently, Caprino Royale has about 10 baby goats and one pregnant goat who may deliver today!

Greeting Andy

Piggybacking on Hunter

Chillin’

Like my ears?

* * *

About Caprino Royale

Caprino Royale is a micro-dairy and small sustainable farm in Waco, TX producing pasture based goat milk products. The farm is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Eric Tippit and Karen Dierolf. As James Bond fans, they created the name of their dairy from the word “Caprine,” the scientific term meaning “of or pertaining to goats” and as a spoof on the James Bond film Casino Royale. This developed into the goat herd name “Caprino Royale”. Their herd consists of purebred registered Nubian goats, which are known for their superior quality of milk, high butterfat content, and friendly disposition (not to mention, their big floppy ears!). We think Caprino Royale’s goat-milk cheese (fromage de chevre) is simply the best. For something sweet, try their Cajeta caramel sauce and Cajeta Pecan Cheese – yum.

Blueberry Update

May 6th, 2013

Leave a reply

Greer Farm blueberries

The freeze that unexpectedly hit Texas and other states last week hurt several of our farmers. We reached out to Greer Farm in Daingerfield, TX, home of the amazing, juicy blueberries we all enjoy in the summer. They replied, “We had a bad freeze and will know in next week the extent of the crop for 2013. There are berries, just a question of the amount and timing of the crop.”

We’re hoping and praying all of our local farmers pull through…and that we get lots of local blueberries this summer!

833.5 Miles, 51 Hours, 9 Farms Visited…

February 20th, 2013

Leave a reply

This week, some of the UA team drove 833.5 miles for 51 hours and visited 9 farms all over Texas. Every single one of our farmers wanted to say THANK YOU to Urban Acres members for making this possible!

We’re taking farm trips right now because it’s planting time and we need to work with the farmers to get seeds in the ground for our spring and summer harvest. Once the harvest hits we try and stay out of their way.

Here are some photos…

UA Marketing Director Brandon Perez with baby goat at Caprino Royale goat cheese farm in Waco

Eric, owner of Caprino Royale Farms. Finest goat cheese in Texas! They have a brand new batch of blue cheese aging right now that should be ready this summer. We’ll keep you posted.

Ben from Sand Creek Farms holding organic aquaponics green onion grown in one of his four greenhouses, two of which are dedicated to grow exclusively for you, the Urban Acres member. Ben and his family thank you.

Ben from Sand Creek Farm in Cameron, TX holding organic aquaponic green onions grown in one of his four greenhouses, two of which are dedicated to grow exclusively for you, the Urban Acres member! Ben and his family thank you.

Kevin & Malachi of Loaves & Fishes farm in Cameron, TX

Kevin & his dog Malachi of Loaves & Fishes Farm in Cameron, TX showing his aquaponic lettuce. Coolest dog ever.

Amber the very friendly horse at Loaves and Fishes Farm in Cameron, TX

Jim Richardson of Richardson Farms in Rockdale, TX. Jim has some of the finest pastured pork and turkey in Texas. Check our store in Oak Cliff soon to pick some up.

Jim Richardson of Richardson Farms in Rockdale, TX. Jim has some of the finest, humanely raised pastured pork and turkey in Texas. Check our store in Oak Cliff soon to pick some up.

First we had Purple Majesty Potatoes. Up next in our crazy potato lineup: Pink Rose Potatoes from Yellow Prairie Farm in Caldwell, TX

Garrett & Stacie Gundermann of Gundermann Acres in Wharton County, TX. Fourth generation organic farmers with the fifth generation on the way!

Brandon tastes Texas celery straight out of the ground coming soon from Gundermann Acres

Just a little more time in the ground at Gundermann Acres and you’ll find these in your share

Fresh dill from Gundermann Acres coming this weekend!

The Gundermann Acres crew

Thank you for being a part of Urban Acres and supporting Texas farmers and local, organic produce! We ♥ our farmers, and we ♥ you!

The Morrisons’ New Land…

January 29th, 2013

Leave a reply

Jacky Morrison on the new land

Our farmer friends Jacky and Cindy Morrison of Morrison Organic Farm have finally found new land in Comanche, TX. A good 4-hour drive from Urban Acres, the new land is open with a great water source. Right now they are sleeping in an RV as they build their new barn with living quarters. A pump has been finished, and they’ve planted some cover crops to add nutrients back into the soil.

Says Cindy Morrison,

“We did throw out some seeds, but nothing yet – have been getting pretty good freezes. The forms are ready for concrete for washing/packing/living facility, just waiting on weather. We can’t wait to FARM!”

We can’t wait either! All that open land is going to hold some delicious organic produce for all of us very soon!

Cultivated ground

Putting in the septic tank

Forms are ready to build the washing/packing/living facility

Some of our team will be making a trip out to the new land soon – stay tuned for more photos & video…

Visiting Gundermann Acres Today…

January 8th, 2013

Leave a reply

UA is on the road again today – this time down south to see our farmer friends Garrett and Stacie Gundermann at Gundermann Acres in Wharton County, TX, where we’re picking up lots of fresh produce for this weekend’s co-op style produce shares. Here are some sneak-peeks…

gundermann 1.8.13-smaller

Picking up cabbage

Romaine lettuce growing in the fields

Purple top turnips coming to your share soon

Here’s a video of your produce growing in the fields – we took this while on the tractor with Garrett Gundermann…

We hope you enjoy the Gundermann’s produce, and we thank you for supporting Texas family farmers! ♥

What’s Being Planted? Upcoming Fall Produce!

August 29th, 2012

Leave a reply

Well the weather has yet to show it here in Dallas, but fall is coming! We thought we’d give you something to look forward to. Here are some of the items our local farmers are planning* for the fall co-op style produce shares…

Aquaponic lettuces
Butternut squash
Beets
Red potatoes
Red Russian kale
Sorrel
Broccoli
Sweet potatoes
Cabbages

Other seasonal items to look forward to:

Apples
Pears
Grapefruit
Cauliflower

Come fall, come!

When working with fresh produce, availability can sometimes change last-minute. We do our best to let you know what’s coming ahead of time, but sometimes things do change, especially when working with local farmers. Thanks for your understanding!