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| 2011 Special Events, Festivals, Contest & Workshops |
August
Kid's Day on the Farm
Old-fashioned Threshing Bee
September
Heirloom Tomato Tasting
October
Pumpkin Painting Workshop
Halloween at the Farm
November
Heirloom Winter Squash Tasting
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August 2011 |
Kid’s Day at the Farm
Saturday, August 20th 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
$6 cost per child - all ages welcome
Click here to view a printable pdf flier about the event.
Below is a smaller version:
Our farm will be offering a series of guided mini interactive workshops for children to participate in various farm activities and old time skills. Children will be allowed to:
- Churn Butter
- Plant Sunflowers
- Press Cider
- Make a Cornhusk Doll
- Make a Gourd Birdhouse
- Grind Wheat Berries into Flour
- Pet Farm Animals
- Play on a Haystack
- Rope a Dummy Steer
- Play in a Hay Maze
- Pump Water the Old-fashioned Way
Cost is $6 per child. A pre-paid wrist band will allow your child to participate in all of the workshops. Children will get to bring home a finished corn husk doll, a sunflower seed planted in a paper cup, a gourd bird house, a small bag of wheat and memories to last a lifetime! If you are coming with a large group, please call in advance so we can be prepared with adequate supplies. Joy - 238-3799 - Thanks!
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Old-fashioned Threshing Bee
Saturday August 27th
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. FREE Admission!
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Threshing Grain
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Bring the whole family for a fun Saturday morning. Step back into a simpler time and connect with the past. Starting with standing wheat we will bind, stack, thresh, sack, clean and grind the grain into flour the same way it was done in the early 1900s. In addition we will have several restored antique tractors on display.
Visitors may purchase freshly harvested whole wheat berries directly from the antique threshing machine. Bring your own 5 gallon bucket, or purchase one from us (we will have a limited supply). Cost of grain is $10 per bucket (approximately 30 pounds). Please note that it will need to be hand-cleaned for straw and an occasional weed seed. You most certainly won't find fresher grain anywhere on the Central Coast! No pesticides . . . fresh and wholesome for your family.
In the shade of the livery stable, the Central Coast Weavers Guild will be doing a fiber spinning demonstration.
Next to the windmill, Max Randolph of Legacy Forge will be performing a blacksmithing demonstration. After viewing the threshing, visitors are invited to sit and enjoy live music by Pineridge Bluegrass Gospel Band in our shaded picnic area.
A Smoked rib meal will be offered for purchase by Chris Overbey of Chris's Smokehouse.
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Forking Wheat Bundles into the Threshing Machine
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Atillio Busi Sacking Grain
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Restored Cat Thirty
Early Gas Engine Show
During the threshing you can also see an Early Day Gas Engine Show. You will get to see in action early gas engines as they chug gurgle and pop. Many of them will be performing simple tasks. If you haven't heard a working vintage engine, you are in for a treat. They have a charming cadence and a memorable sound. A fun experience for kids . . . a chance to refresh memories for us older folks.
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Threshing Bee Details
David Barlogio will be overseeing the demonstrations. On Saturday the grain threshing will take place. We will start with standing wheat in the field, and finish with wheat flour and whole wheat bread samples.
The first step is to bind standing wheat using an Adriance Grain Binder that grandpa Miles Barlogio restored. It dates back to the early 1890s. The binder uses cutting knives, a wooden reel and a canvas belt system to cut the wheat and tie it into small bundles (also known as stooks or sheaves) using twine.
Next the wheat bundles will be hand stacked with three-tine pitch forks using the same configuration farmers utilized 100 years ago. The bundles then will be forked into a McCormick Stationary Threshing Machine owned by Dick and Carson Wiley of Arroyo Grande. The McCormick Thresher will be powered by their 1917 Advance Steam Tractor.
Inside the thresher the grain is separated from the stalks and husks. Then the grain will be augured into burlap sacks. The sacks will be hand sewn. We have some old-timers who still have their antique sack needles that are volunteering to sew and keep us historically accurate as to the process. The next step is to run the wheat through a 1910 era Fanning Mill. The fanning mill uses a series of screens to separate unwanted weed seed and remaining chaff from the grain. We will have a small hand grinder on site for folks to grind wheat into flour. We will give out free samples of whole wheat bread for folks to enjoy.
What exactly is a Threshing Bee?
In early days wheat was flailed by hand. In America in the 1700s small round barns were built with special slatted flooring. Horses were trained to walk in circles on the wheat to remove the grain from the stalk. In the 1800s an exciting new piece of machinery, the Stationary Thresher, was introduced. This new piece of machinery could separate the grain from the stalk and husk, and assist in sacking.
Most farms were small and could not afford to purchase this new “high tech” equipment. Sometimes a “custom” thresher came to an area. Farmers paid a fee to the machinery owner to have their wheat threshed. Other times farmers pooled their resources to purchase a machine, and the machine was moved from farm to farm. Most farms did not have enough labor resources to do this manual labor themselves, so all of the neighboring farm families came to help. The men operated the thresher, pitched bundles, sacked grain and loaded wagons, while the women cooked and fed the crews.
Though the work was hard, this became a harvest celebration of sorts. It was a time of sharing. A time of socializing for young and old alike. These harvesting events came to be known as “Threshing Bees”.
Here at Jack Creek Farms we would like to honor the heritage and farming traditions of our family and community. We want you to have the opportunity to help us celebrate our harvest and preserve past traditions. We hope you become a part of our circle of friends. |
Filled Sacks of Grain - A Job Well Done!
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~ A special thanks to David, Bob & Tim Barlogio, the Dick & Carson Wiley families, Darrell & Milene Radford, Jim Greer, Ernie Perlich, Tony Busi, Rodney Wiebe, Mike Stainbrook, Dan Lacouague, Casey & Ahearn Evenson, Dave Harris, Tom Madden & Art Von Dollen.
With out you this event wouldn't take place! ~
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September 2011 |
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Heirloom Tomato Tasting
Saturday September 17th
1 p.m. FREE Admission
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Join us for an afternoon of fun as we sample the many different varieties of heirloom tomatoes grown on our farm. Heirloom tomatoes come in different shapes, sizes and a festive rainbow of colors. |
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Varieties will include some of your favorites including Cherokee Purple, Pineapple, Red Zebra, John Baer, Paul Robeson, Julia Child, Mortgage Lifter Radiator Charlie, Basinga, Box Car Willie and Black Krim.
In addition several area farms will be offering samples of their products. You will have the opportunity to sample:
Infused Vinegars from Chaparral Gardens of Atascadero
Olive Oil from Oleo Nuevo of Paso Robles
Walnut Oil from Limerock Orchards of Paso Robles
and of course Heirloom Tomatoes from Jack Creek Farms
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Admission is FREE. We will provide the tomatoes, plates, forks, and fun. Your job is to bring along your friends and enjoy an afternoon at our farm :-)!
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| Here is a link to view a printable flier: click here
Below is a small online viewable version:
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Pumpkin Painting Workshop
Thursday October 6th at
3:30 p.m.
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What could be more fun than a friendly Jack-o-lantern in early October? Instead of carving; paint your pumpkin and it will last all month! Children ages 7 and up are welcome. A $5 fee will includes a freshly picked from the field small sugar pie pumpkin and all supplies to paint and decorate it. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please call 238-3799 for reservations. We need to have at least 5 participants confirm for the workshop to take place.
The photos above and below were taken at last year's workshop.
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Pumpkin Carving Workshop
Friday, October 28th, 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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Halloween at the Farm
Monday October 31st, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Bring your entire family to the farm on Halloween Day. Every person who shows up in costume and poses for a photo will receive a FREE Jack-o-lantern!!! (Quantities Limited – while supplies last). |
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November 2011 |
Heirloom Winter Squash Tasting
Saturday November 5th
1 - 3 p.m. FREE Admission
Updated: The weather forecasters are calling for heavy rains and a storm this
weekend,
so we are cancelling the winter squash tasting :-(
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It is so easy to transform winter squash into fabulous autumn dishes. You will have the opportunity to sample at least 6 different varieties of winter squash. We will provide printed recipes for you to take home, and your dish will be the highlight of your family’s fall festivities. You’ll be so proud, and your guests will be impressed. You can do it . . . it’s easy! No charge for recipes or to sample . . . it's FREE! |
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Celebrate Your Birthday on Our Farm!
Create a lasting memory with your child on their special day. Jack Creek Farms is pleased to offer the opportunity for your child to have their birthday celebration on a working farm.
Little Buckaroo Birthday Party
Party for up to 8 children - $165. Each additional child is $8.50. (There is NO charge for observing adults and infants held in arms up to age 1). Adult Box Lunches* are available at an additional cost.
We provide:
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Picnic Tables(white table cloths with old west lanterns, bandanas & sunflowers)
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Table for Gifts & your Decorated Cake**
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Peanut Butter & Olallieberry Jam Sandwich - Whole Wheat Bread with Peanut Butter & Olallieberry Jam. Sandwiches are in the shape of a large Cowboy Boot. You may substitute Grape Jelly or Pomegranate Jelly.
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Fresh Apple Cider (individual bottles)
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Fresh Apple Slices & Grapes (or Raisins)
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Meal Plates
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Meal Napkins
Activities:
- Kid Goats for viewing
- Complimentary Grain for each child to feed the goats
- Small Hay Bale Stack to climb on
- Water Pump Barrels – pump water the old-fashioned way
- Saw Horse Pony – this is a great photo op
- Wooden Train Play Structure
- Toddler Hay Maze (Aug - Nov)
Games: (your choice of 2)
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Feed Bucket Toss – toss a bag of grain into a tin feed bucket (all ages)
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Help the Farmer - help the farmer to find all the beanie animals and put them back in the corral (recommended for age 4 and under)
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Stick Horse Race (age 4 - 7)
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Dummy Steer Roping – try your hand at roping Bailey our dummy steer (recommended for age 6 and up)
Dummy Steer Roping
Kid's Haystack
You are responsible to supply:
Birthday cake**, cake plates, forks, cake server, balloons or additional table decorations and prizes for games if desired.
Party duration is 2 hours. Additional time is allotted if you would like to add a Pony Ride Package***.
We have available at no charge straw cowboy hats and red bandanas for each party guest. They must ALL be returned after the event. If you believe your child might be disappointed to find these items are on loan and not a gift, we encourage you to supply your own.
You may download and print a copy of a .pdf flyer detailing
Little Buckaroo Party information by clicking here.
(note this is a large file and could take some time to load)
*Box Lunches:
A freshly made Turkey, Roast Beef or Veggie Wrap (includes cream cheese, mayo, mustard, avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato – Veggie Wraps additionally have carrots, bell pepper, cucumber and olives, no meat), bottle of cold fresh apple cider (or water) and a seasonal fruit or veggie from our farm. Cost: $9.50 per person.
**Decorated Cakes:
We recommend Cassie's Custom Cakes in Atascadero for wonderful and great tasting farm and cowboy themed birthday cakes.
Click here to visit Cassie's website.
***Pony Rides:
We have arranged with the Tiny Trotters Horse Farm in Los Osos to offer Pony rides in addition to our regular Buckaroo Party Package. Tiny Trotters will provide pony rides for the little ones for one hour. One child will ride at a time. The smaller your group the more saddle time each child will receive. The flat fee for groups of 10 children or less is $170. We recommend 2 ponies for groups of 11 children or more at a cost of $245. This optional cost is in addition to your Buckaroo Birthday Package. Click here to visit the Tiny Trotters website.
To make reservations or ask questions please contact Joy at 238-3799.
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We are pleased to offer several different tour opportunities for our visitors.
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Self guided tours are available during regular business hours. There is no cost and no reservations are required. Our antique farm equipment lines both sides of our driveway. Each different implement or tractor has a story card detailing its maker, date it was made, local history and use.
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Our u-pick garden has story cards detailing the different crops being grown and their use. If you have never seen okra growing, or what eggplant looks like before it is harvested, this is a fun experience to browse through our gardens.
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We offer several different organized group tour options. |
Cider & Cookie Tour
The tour will begin in the shaded picnic area. Guests will enjoy cold apple cider and a freshly baked cookie during the talk. Your host will give an overview of the farm history, crops grown and farming practices. Following the talk, those who would like to participate are invited to walk through the nearby fields with your host. We will explore the herb garden, u-pick fields, berry patch and orchards. We will be sure to stop and visit the farm animals too! There will be a question and answer period, and we are always happy to tailor the talk and tour specific to your group’s interest. Tour price includes fresh apple cider and a cookie for each participant. Cost is $6 per person with a minimum of $60. Formal tours must be scheduled 2 days in advance.
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Farmhouse Boxed Lunch Tour
The tour will begin in the shaded picnic area where your host will give an overview of the farm history, crops grown and farming practices. There will also be a show-and- tell discussion based on the current harvest (see below). Following the talk, a farmhouse boxed lunch will be served.
Box lunches include:
Freshly made Turkey, Roast Beef or Veggie wrap (includes cream cheese, mayo, mustard, avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato – veggie wraps additionally have carrots, bell pepper, cucumber and olives, no meat), freshly baked cookie from our farm kitchen (choice of Honey Ginger or Snickerdoodle), bottle of cold fresh apple cider (or water) and mini tomatoes. During season in lieu of mini tomatoes, a group heirloom tomato platter will be provided.
After lunch, those who would like to participate are invited to walk through the nearby fields with your host. We will explore the herb garden, u-pick fields, berry patch and orchards. We will stop and visit with the farm animals too! There will be a question-and- answer period, and we are always happy to tailor the talk and tour specific to your group’s interest. Those who choose not to venture into the fields with the group are invited to explore the farm at their own pace, or visit our farm store and sample several different varieties of cider, honey and our fresh homemade fudge. Tour price includes a box lunch for each participant. Cost is $12.50 per person with a minimum of $125. Boxed Lunch Formal tours must be scheduled one week in advance.
June Tours: Dried Gourds
July Tours: Olallieberries
August Tours: Summer Produce
September Tours: Heirloom Tomatoes
October Tours: Pumpkins
November Tours: Winter Squash
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Weddings & Events |
Have you always thought is would be special to be married on a farm?
We are offering couples a chance to exchange their vows in a simple outdoor environment surrounded by fields of grain and growing crops.
The ceremony would take place in our upper grain fields next to our historic 1800s barn and stately oak trees. We can arrange to bring the bridal couple to the ceremony in one of our restored Model T's.
The reception could take place above in the field, or below near our farm store in our shaded picnic area.
Wedding theme ideas include:
- Farm
- Old West
- Country
- Garden
- Nature
If you are interested please contact Joy at 238-3799. The folks at Jack Creek Farms will be happy to set up an appointment for a free consultation and tour.
We are also available for other special events including:
- Family Reunions
- Anniversary Parties
- Birthday Parties
- Car Clubs
- Class Reunions
- Office Picnics
- Church Picnics
- Corporate Retreats
- Club Meetings
Give us a call to discuss how we can work together to create the perfect event for you.
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We are once again offering field trips
to school age children. Dates are booked on a first come first served basis.
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Summer Children's Group Field Trips
Summer pre-school and school age children field trips are offered on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer months. Morning tours begin at 10:30 a.m. and afternoon tours begin at 1 p.m. Each tour lasts between 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours.
All tours are tailored to be age appropriate.
We have three different tours available:
Wheat - From Standing Grain to Bread
Children will walk out into an actual wheat field and see the growing grain. We will talk about how important grain is for our health and diet, and the many different uses for grain. We will discuss different vintage equipment used to plant and harvest wheat. Children will each have the opportunity to grind wheat berries in an antique grain grinder and make flour. We will finish the experience with whole wheat bread samples. Children will each take home a small bag of whole wheat berries and a stem of wheat.
Herbs, Fruits & Veggies
Children will have a chance to touch, smell and taste several different herbs in the u-pick herb garden. We will then visit the u-pick veggie garden and each child will have the opportunity to pick and eat mini tomatoes right off the vine. We will also pick beans or peas in the field and taste them. If we have fruit ready to harvest at the time of the tour, we will pick peaches, plums or apples and taste and enjoy them also. Depending upon the season each child will be sent home with a piece of fruit.
Sunflowers
In this tour we will walk out in the field and see growing sunflowers. We will talk about them, their uses and lifecycle. We will taste and sample sunflower seeds. Each child will also have the opportunity to plant a sunflower seed in a paper cup to bring home with them and plant in their own yard.
All Tours:
Following each guided portion all children will have the chance to pump water in the old-fashioned water pump barrels, and will each be given a treat to feed the goats.
Children will then wash their hands and enjoy a freshly baked cookie and a cup of cider in our picnic area. After this portion kids may play in the hay maze, on the hay stack, on the wooden train play structure.
We ask that you have 1 chaperone on hand for each 5 children to ensure a safe visit for your group.
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Cost is $6 per participating child or a $60 minimum. Siblings in strollers or carried by adults may attend at no charge. Additionally, there is no charge for teachers or chaperones. Cider and cookies are available at the farm stand if adults or young siblings would like to have a snack with the children.
You are welcome to bring a pack lunch for your group, however we ask that you take any trash you may generate home with you.
Details & Specifics
Click here or scroll to the bottom of this page to read things you will need to know before your visit. |
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Pumpkin Season Fall Tour
Fall pre-school and school age children field trips are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout October. Morning tours begin at 10:00 a.m. and afternoon tours begin at either noon or 1 p.m. We can also book late afternoon tours at 3 p.m. Each tour lasts between 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours.
During the guided portion, children will be given a short age appropriate orientation meeting in the picnic area at the beginning of each tour. Your guide will then give an age appropriate talk to the children about pumpkins, their history, life cycle, origins, uses etc. This is an interactive show-and-tell type format. We will remove the top off of a pumpkin and take a peak inside. All children will have a chance to touch and feel the different pumpkins.
Following each guided portion all children will have the chance to pump water in the old-fashioned water pump barrels, and will each be given a treat to feed the goats.
Children will then wash their hands and enjoy a freshly baked cookie and a cup of cider in our picnic area. Families are welcome to bring a pack lunch, however we ask that you take any trash you may generate home with you.
After our snack kids will head out to the u-pick patch to choose their pumpkin. Time allowing, after this portion kids may play in the hay maze, on the hay stack, and on the wooden train play structure. With large groups, we break the play areas into stations and rotate through them.
We ask that you have 1 chaperone on hand for each 5 children to ensure a safe visit for your group.
Cost is $6 per participating child. Siblings in strollers or carried by adults may attend at no charge. Additionally, there is no charge for teachers or chaperones. Cider and cookies are available at the farm stand if adults or young siblings would like to have a snack with the children.
Details & Specifics:
We request a minimum of 10 paying guests per tour ($60 minimum).
We ask that money be collected beforehand and be presented at the time your group arrives to give your group maximum tour time. If your school requires a purchase order please plan ahead.
We ask that your group arrive on time as a courtesy to other guests that may be coming later in the day.
We suggest that children wear long pants and closed toe shoes. (Seating is on hay bales and pumpkin plants can be prickly!)
We have portable restroom facilities, a hand wash area and picnic tables on site.
We are located directly off of Highway 46 West for convenient access. We have a large parking area that can easily accommodate school buses.
Please note: As the tour is outdoors, we are fully exposed to weather. Rain will necessitate canceling and rescheduling your tour. Please give us at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel your tour for reasons other than weather.
Please call 238-3799 if you would like to schedule a 2010 Farm Tour for your group. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
We feel honored to have the opportunity to share our way of life with your students and families. Small family farms are fast disappearing in today’s global marketplace. We are striving to educate young people about the value of wholesome fresh foods, and the many benefits agriculture brings to our community.
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