It's a Goat's Life at Marini Farm

We recently asked our Facebook followers what they wanted for topics on our winter blogs and some responded they wanted a story on our goats, so we are happy to share our love for goats in our first blog of 2015. First of all, we love our animals and welcome everyone who visits our farm to spend time visiting with our animals. Goats dominate the animal pen at Marini Farm. We currently have seven Nigerian Dwarf goats, two Boer goats, and two Sicilian donkeys named Macy and Arial.

Boer Goats are imported to the United States through South Africa and are raised for meat. They have distinctive coloring with a light neutral tone body and red head. The Nigerian goat is a miniature dairy goat of West African origin and they were originally called Pygmy's. They love to battle each other, but it is all friendly battles.

Last year we doubled the size of our animal pen and in the future we plan to add a better access pathway from the road as well as a new parking lot close to the pen.

Our goats love socializing with the other animals and dart to the gate when visitors arrive. We currently don’t use them for milk production, but as our farm grows this may change.

Did you know goats have rectangle pupils and have excellent night vision? We found there was a lot about goats we didn’t know about as we were gathering information for this blog. There are even goats that faint when they get excited. Did you know goats have four stomachs so they can eat just about anything? Let us know if you know any interesting goat facts not included here. We hope you are as fascinated with them as we are.

Interesting and fun goat facts:
 
Goats are a member of the Bovidae family

They are one of the oldest domesticated species

There are over 300 distinct breeds

Female goats are does or nannies and male goats are bucks or billies. Under one year they are bucklings and female babies are doelings.

Goats are able to breed all year long

They are ruminants, which means they have 4 stomachs and can eat almost any diet. Some even love peanut butter.

Their longer guard hairs are used in the textile industry to make cashmere.

Goats typically live for 8-12 years, but some can live up to 20 years.

Goats can have 1-6 kids per litter

There are over 500 million goats in the world

The U.S. has 3 million goats with Texas leading the production.

It is estimated that 72 % of the world’s milk consumption is from goats

Goat milk is naturally homogenized

Goat meat is called chevon or cabrito

Along with the octopus, goat pupils are rectangular and they have great night vision

They are good swimmers

They love socializing with other goats

Goats are one of the first animals to be domesticated as far as 6000 years ago

Goats have no teeth in the upper jaw

They are very athletic and some goat species can jump over 5 feet

Goats are herbivores (plant eaters)

They have no tear ducts

They are good climbers and have great balance which is why you always see them standing on rocks and steep slopes

Race horses are often given a 'goat friend' so they are not lonely in the stall

Goats have 15,000 taste buds, which is 5000-6,000 more than humans

Goat kids stand minutes after birth

Goat horns never stop growing.

Some say goats even discovered coffee in Ethiopia

Goats have natural oils that help repel ticks

Enjoy this hilarious video of funny goats. We look forward to expanding our animal pen, so let us know what additions you would like to see us add to the pen. They love visitors so please come see them when you stop by the farm.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Marini Farm Hosts Tree Jubilee Benefit For Ipswich Humane Group

The farm is filled with community spirit and joy this Christmas season as the Tree Jubilee lights up the greenhouse. More than 60 businesses and families gather to donate and decorate trees and wreaths for the benefit of the Ipswich Humane Society’s annual fundraiser. Floor to ceiling creativity brings the excitement of the holiday season alive. All the trees were judged on many categories and the public will gather on December 5, 6, 12 and 13th to view the beautiful display and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win their favorite tree or wreath. It’s a fun free event for the whole family and 100% of the donations go to the Ipswich Humane Group.

Ipswich Humane Group is a non-profit group that assists Ipswich Animal Control to enable a no-kill animal shelter for the Town of Ipswich.  The group is 100% donation funded and 100% unpaid volunteer run.

For 32 years, the organization has been providing veterinary care, housing in their animal shelter, and has operated a successful adoption program which has placed over 1800 dogs and cats in homes throughout the north shore community. 

2014 Tree Jubilee Top Honors! 
 
TREES:
 
Best of Show Tree:
WEEBLOS - Ipswich Cub Scouts Pack 109

Most Creative/Unique Tree:
Gold: Windhill Realty
"There's No Place Like Home"  
Silver: Traveis Eye Care "Frozen"
Bronze: Ipswich Bear Den Pack 109

Honorable Mention:
Mrs. Clasby's 3rd Grade Class
"What the Holidays Mean to Me" 

WREATHS: 

Best of Show Wreath:
Institution for Savings

Most Creative/Unique Wreath:
Gold: Ipswich Bottle Shop
Silver: Bear's Family
Bronze: Gordon Florist & Greenhouses
   
“Seeing the Marini Farm greenhouse illuminated with community love and support truly makes this season special for us,” said Mike Marini. "Contributing to community has always been part of our mission as third-generation farmers.  Let’s get the crowds gathered over the weekend to support our local furry friends!”

Written by Lightning Consulting

The ABCs of Christmas Tree Shopping

Some people rush to get their Christmas tree the day they come off the trucks, while others see no urgency and wait until days before Christmas in hopes the perfect tree is still waiting for them. Getting a group/family consensus is what makes the experience the most fun. “How about this one?” are words you hear down the pathways of trees. Sometimes people circle back to the first tree they saw, while other times it takes dozens of inspections as people stand the trees up and shake them to see how heavy and full they are. The worst is when someone grabs a tree that was on your top contender list, and places a “sold” sign on it. The good news is that there is always another tree, so the quest to find the perfect Christmas tree just continues.

Some helpful hints in buying the perfect Christmas tree…size, fragrance, freshness and symmetry all matter.

• Size it right: Measure the room and entry ways in your home before you bring a tree home. A good rule of thumb is one foot below the ceiling height. You should also measure the opening in the tree stand you plan to use to make sure the trunk of your chosen tree will fit.
• Healthy tree all the way to Christmas: “It’s bad weather out, so let’s get the tree next weekend instead.” A week delay may leave you with fewer options and fewer trees that meet your criteria. Early buyers have a better chance of finding the perfect tree, and have more choices. Always make sure to have a clean cut done as it will last longer in your home and can better absorb water. December 8/9 is a recommended time to purchase your tree and December 15/16 is a good time to bring it inside to decorate.
• Weight is good and tree branch spacing tight: This means the tree is healthy and full of water, and will drop fewer needles.
• Fresh Cut: Find out when the trees were cut. The closer to Christmas the better, but some tree sale spots cut their trees as early as October so by December needles are all piling up.
• Tree branch strength is solid: Nobody wants a droopy tree and one that loses ornaments because the branches can’t hold the weight of your ornaments. If you have heavy ornaments and ones you want securely hanging from the tree, make sure the tree branches are thick and strong.
• Pet unfriendly: To discourage your pet from using your Christmas tree as a bathroom stop, select a tree with sharp needles. If they get too close and get pricked, they won’t want to do it again.
• Full of water: Bend the needles and see how fresh they are.You need to make sure you routinely check the stand and keep the tree hydrated, and never let the water go below the bottom of the trunk.  Another trick is to spray the branches with water so give it more moisture. Some trees require several quarts of water each day, so make sure you check the water level every three hours.
• Evergreen scent: Trees which sweat expel the strongest scents, so if you are looking to fill your home with that great Christmas tree aroma, select the trees which naturally have the best scent. As an example, the Balsam fir tree exists in a cold climate which makes it sweat more and deliver a great scent.
• Straight and in balance: If the tree has a crooked trunk it will be tougher to get it securely positioned in a stand. Hold the tree up and examine it from the trunk to the top so see if it is well aligned. Nobody wants a tree that topples over when you are not home. If you have to tie it down, once it is in the house for fear it will topple, you have definitely bought a crooked nightmare of a tree. Also, make sure the tree trunk is at least six inches long so it fits securely in the stand.
• Tree type: Balsam and Fraser trees are the most popular based on overall quality and shape, with Balsam known for their fragrance and Fraser known for their strong branches and minimal needle drop.

Marini Farms has a solution to simplifying the tree set up process. The Stand Strait Christmas Tree Stand--also known as The Marriage Saver--is available for sale with free tree drilling for owners of the stand. Considered the best Christmas tree stand available, it enables your tree to stand tall, straight and stable to prevent it from toppling over, and requires only one drill hole in the base of your tree. All you need to do is line up the drilled hole on the stand pin and it is as stable as a rock. See Mike’s demonstration video on how easy the Stand Strait System is.

As Marini states, “Our hands-on selection process is the reason the quality of our trees is second to none, and we want our customers to feel like they have found that special perfect tree.” 

From all of us at Marini Farm, we wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and hope you find the perfect tree.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Trick Or Treat Hayrides With Frozen Friends

Marini Farm’s most popular hayride adventure is the special character journey which on October 25, 2014 will feature the characters in the Frozen movie. This classic fall activity will take you on a tractor-drawn hayride along the farm’s scenic 200+ acres through the corn fields, pumpkin patches and animal park area. Experience a lazy roll through the rural landscape with the vibrant beauty of the leaves changing and the crisp fall air. Trick or Treaters will have the opportunity to take a scenic hayride around the farm while stopping along the way to pick up and receive treats from a few of their favorite storybook friends, including Elsa.The rides are running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and tickets can be purchased online ahead of time.

Hayride tickets

Hayrides are popular for obvious reasons…

• You can enjoy a great bonding experience with family and friends
• You get to explore the farm up close and personal
• You get to learn the about the history of the farm
• You can enjoy the spirit of fall and Halloween
• You can embrace nature and the beauty of family farming
• You can relax and breath in the fresh farm air
• You can capture some great memories!

Dress up and come to the farm for some trick or treating fun and surprises.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Marini Farm's Corn Maze Is All About Raising Bullying Awareness

 “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”-Judy Garland

Spookley, the square pumpkin, is bigger than life and is at the center of the 2014 Marini Farm Corn Maze. Marini Farm is focused on anti-bullying awareness and this year’s maze will publicize the importance of taking the right steps forward in stopping bullying.

The book The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, by Joe Troiano, is the story about a very special unusually shaped pumpkin who teaches children that you can't judge a book, or a pumpkin, by its cover, and how being different or square is okay.  Spookley invites you to “Dare to Be Square” and embrace the beauty of being different! The book shows how sometimes it is better to be square. Spookley saved the day and all the other pumpkins from tumbling into the river during a mighty storm by wedging between the hole in the fence and stopping all the pumpkins from tumbling into the fast moving river.

School bullying statistics in the United States show that about one in four kids in the U.S. are bullied on a regular basis. Between cyberbullying and bullying at school, the school bullying statistics illustrate a huge problem with bullying and the American school system. About 80 percent of all high school students have encountered being bullied in some fashion online, and this has attributed to a rise in youth violence and suicides. Last month a 14-year-old teen from Florida took his own life to escape the pain from bullying. "Shaq was emotionally and physically abused while at school," Lamar's mother said. "They pushed him down stairs, knocked him out of his chair in the cafeteria … repeatedly attacked him with an intent to emotionally harm. Despite constant attacks, he never let the bullies see him sweat," Lamar's mother said. "We now know that he was unable to continue his fight against the bullies. They won, because he took his life as a result." When you google teen and children suicides believed to be caused by bullying, it is difficult to read the stories. These are beautiful innocent children who feel there is no way of escaping the horror of bullying.

Please join us in raising bullying awareness, and come to the farm matching Spookley and dress in orange in recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month. Special prizes will be awarded to the brightest orange maze visitors. We will be providing a donation to Stomp Out Bullying and welcome your contributions. Please leave your donation (cash and checks accepted) in an envelope marked “Stomp Out Bullying” at the maze hut.

The statistics continue to climb and the most alarming one is that 77 percent of students have experienced bullying at some point in their lives.

Bullying statistics:

• About 42 percent of kids have been bullied while online with one in four being verbally attacked more than once.
• About 35 percent of kids have been threatened online.
• About 58 percent of kids and teens have reported that something mean has been said about them or to them online.
• Other bullying statistics show that about 77 percent of students have admitted to being the victim of one type of bullying or another.

We encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the serious impact bullying has on innocent children of all ages. Our maze is a bully free zone!

Written by Lightning Consulting

Kernels of Support

“We stand behind everything we sell and do. However, without a name I cannot help. We grow 120 acres of corn and work very hard to pick fresh seven days a week. We have done this for 50 years and this has not changed.”—Mike Marini

This post was in response to an unsigned comment left at the corn bin early in the season.  Mike’s response above was posted on Facebook along with the photo of the comment, and it received 7,664 views, 91 likes and 145 comments moments after the posting of the photo.

Corn is Marini Farm’s top selling crop for both retail and wholesale sales, so the farm is committed to providing the best and sweetest corn available in the region. Their 200 acres of corn provide over 10 tons of corn and over ten different varieties, including the two newest varieties; Marai and Allure. Marai corn is a new hybrid breed of corn known for its intense sweetness, tender kernels and superb eating quality. Marini incorporates special techniques by growing 20 acres under plastic to make sure they are can offer the first local corn in eastern MA.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture report, there will be an abundance of corn this fall as the nation’s farmers are expected to harvest a record 14.03 billion bushels of corn this year.

Below are some of the special comments posted on our Facebook page in response to the customer comment.

“My family started doing business with the Marini family close to 50 years ago. I consider Mario like a second father. When my father passed away my first summer running our farm, Mario was there to take me under his wing and help me anyway he could. When Michael took over running the farmstand he took an already well-established business and made it into one of the best in the state. They are one of the most hardworking, honest, caring and giving families you'll find in Essex County. I am proud and honored to be in business with them and look forward to another 50 years”. — Robert Marshall

“My family had a farm stand as well. I drive out of my way to get Marini produce. Superior to every other place I have shopped”.—Matt Desmond

“I have been buying produce both wholesale and retail from the Marini’s for thirty years....never once had an issue....this family business is operated with the highest level of integrity possible. If Michael says it's fresh, it is! If this person had a problem then have some courage and go make your complaint face-to- face!”—Marilyn Donati

“Bought your corn yesterday and brought it to a house party. The biggest hit ever! People are crazy”.—Kim Folan

Marini’s is top of the line. This family has given so much to our community. The person who left this message doesn't have the guts to sign their name. Therefore, the message is meaningless. I'm sure the corn looked perfect when they purchased it. Wonder how long it was left in their hot trunk?”—Cheryl Becker

“I just want to add my two cents to this awful note left for Mike. My husband goes to Marini Farm every day for fresh produce to supply our farmstand. He is there when the trucks come in from the fields every morning. We have NEVER had anything but the freshest produce. His corn is by far the best around and picked fresh every day. The Marini Family are the hardest working people and the nicest around.They go above and beyond. Wherever this corn came from, it was not Marini Farm unless they kept it there for a week or more. Thank you Mike Marini and Mario for all that you do.”—Marilyn Sweet, LattofFarm, Rockport

“I live two streets away from another local farm, and I still drive 25 minutes just to get Marini Farm produce because it is THAT fresh and delicious! That one customer may have a gripe but customers like myself who don't even live in Ipswich and everyone else who have posted supportive comments on here love your farm and the awesome selection!” —Melissa Newbury

“I eat Marini's corn just about every night of the week all summer long, and the corn is delicious. I just had my corn tonight, the third night in a row from corn I got on Saturday, and it is still yummy! Marini's has perfected the art of growing corn for the whole entire growing season. They are the only place I get my corn, and I look forward to it every year. It wouldn't be summer without Marini's corn and vegetables.”—Michele Huot Elliot

“We will make it a priority to respond to all comments, questions and posts we receive, as it is your feedback that matters the most.Thank you all for your overwhelming and kind comments on our Facebook page, and your commitment and loyalty to our farm.”—Mike Marini

Prepared by Lightning Consulting

Marini Is A Party Farm!

Marini Farm offers parties that focus on farm exploration, seasonal activities, and fun farm attractions. The farm is busy in season with school tours, family events, church groups, company outings, scout outings and children’s celebrations. Our children’s parties are packed with interactive programs for experiencing agricultural fun. All parties include a farm tour, animal visits, and special farm explorations. If you want to have a special theme party, you can work those details out with our party professional. Summer parties include hayride, bouncing pillow, jump slide, play structures and visit at the animal park.

Party details follow:

•  Two hours long (includes one hour in the party room)
•  A party professional for full duration of party (setup and cleanup included)
•  Guest minimum is 10
•  Birthday child receives free admission
•  Adult chaperones must be present
•  7 days in advance booking requirement
•  $50 non-refundable deposit

Some of the special seasonal parties include:

•  Strawberry parties
•  Corn maze parties
•  Animal friends parties
•  Farm education/”Be a farmer” party
•  Hayride parties
•  Pumpkin carving parties
•  Pumpkin painting parties
•  Customized theme parties (customer organizes the theme planning)

At the “Be a Farmer” parties the children will follow a typical day on the farm and will experience what is involved in growing, picking and maintaining the crops.

Pricing (birthday child is free):

Corn Maze party: $200 for up to ten children
Mini Maze Party: $200 for up to ten children
Pumpkin Carving Party: $100 for up to ten children
Hayride Party: $100 for up to ten children
Animal friends: $100 for up to ten children
Pumpkin Painting Party: $100 for up to ten children
Be a Farmer Party/Show & Tell: $100 for up to ten children

The farm has many fun recreational activities available and in the fall the corn maze park (duck races, rope maze, giant jumping pillow, corn house, mini maze, farm animal pen, and more) is available for party use.

At the “Animal Friends Party” the children get to learn about the farm animals, and then are provided an opportunity to pet and feed the animals.

You also may create your own special theme party. Last year the farm was a chosen spot for a marriage proposal and family engagement celebration. “I would spend time all my time educating the public about the importance of the family farm, if time allowed”, states Mike Marini.

It is a simple process to book your party on the registration form on our website. Remember parties are not just for kids!


Prepared by Lightning Consulting