A family farm serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Taylor, Manor, Elgin and surrounding areas. Blessing Falls LLC focuses on naturally raising vegetables, grass fed cattle, pastured pork, poultry & eggs.
Our produce and animals are raised using organic, natural methods. We use no synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides in our gardens or on our animals. Our natural fertilizers include compost tea, fish hydrolysate (emulsion), molasses, and Lady Bug brand fertilizer produced by a local Austin company. With cover crops and natural mineral supplements, our pastures and gardens are improving in health and offer a sanctuary to earthworms, dung beetles, and other members of the soil food web.
Established in 2010, we began with a small garden and a few hens. We started our cattle herd with three excellent heifers from a nearby ranch specializing in natural, grassfed beef. After three seasons of calving and the purchase of a bull and several more cows, our herd now numbers around 20.
In 2011 we planted a small orchard and are nurturing these trees, hoping to have more fresh fruit in the coming years.
In 2012 we planted blueberry and blackberry bushes as well as several grape vines. Good friends moved to an adjoining property where they are raising more laying hens, honeybees, dairy and meat goats, and rabbits – along with a family garden.
Early in 2013 we started a much bigger garden so that we would have a surplus to share and sell. In May we began selling this produce at the Farmers Market in downtown Elgin. We also sold a few weekly shares to friends. Our first steer was butchered in late summer. The meat was high quality as we had hoped and we sold some of the cuts at the Farmers Market.
In 2014 we expanded the garden again so we could offer more weekly shares to friends as well as provide a wider selection at the weekly market. Our berry patch was productive and we’re still waiting on the orchard to achieve an ample harvest. We also partnered with our neighbor and offered some of their honey and produce. We’ve increased our grass fed beef and raised a few heritage turkeys.
In 2015 we expanded the garden again, to a full acre of spring/summer production. We had 11 calves born, expanded our blackberry patch, and doubled our laying hen flock. We tried to incubate turkey eggs but could not successfully hatch many turkeys.
In 2016, we focused on improving our garden soil. After several expansions over the years, we were happy with the size and put our efforts into adding compost and more cover crops in the garden. We also added flowers to our garden. We planted a few more fruit trees and continue to see the cattle herd expand as several calves were retained as new mothers. Our new venture this year was pasture raised pork. 3 Red Wattle pigs reached full size during the fall and the everyone raved about the taste and quality of the pork. We also raised heritage turkey for Thanksgiving.
For 2017, we are raising 7 Red Wattle pigs. We also have a Jersey milk cow and her calf. We’re milking once a day and sharing with the calf. We’re continuing our garden (veggies and flowers), grass fed beef cattle, and pastured eggs efforts.
“Blessing Falls”
The “Blessing” that has “Fallen” on our family is that of salvation from sin through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation has simply ‘fallen’ to us from the good, gracious, merciful, loving hand of God though we deserve nothing so wonderful. The gifts of family, land, farm, and food are other blessings that God has graciously given. We are grateful.
I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.
This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.
Psalm 119:55-56
May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;
May our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce;
may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;
May there be no cry of distress in our streets!
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
Psalm 144