Smiling Dog Farm

08/25/2024

Friends, for only the second time, I'm going to make a political statement on this page. I've been hearing a lot about a plan to stop "price gouging" on food and groceries. I'm going to list a few facts of which I have personal knowledge. You can decide for yourselves if increased prices on food are because of "price gouging."

In 2020, I paid $4.50 per bale for straw for garden mulch. This year, it was $5.50.

In 2020, I paid $120 per 50 # bag of fish meal for fertilizer. This year, it was $200--for a 40 # bag.

In 2020, I paid $12.50 per yard for mushroom compost. This year, it was $20 per yard.

In 2020, plastic flat trays for plant starts were 80 cents. This year, they were $1.20.

In 2020, gasoline to get my products to the farmers market, to run our tractor, mowers, and equipment, was $1.85 per gallon. This year, it's $2.85.

I've tried to keep prices stable, because I know my customers, and I like most of them. I'm not trying to get rich off my farm. Heck, I'm not even trying to make a living entirely off my farm. But I've raised my prices, or decreased the amount sold for the same price--just like my vendors, and their vendors have.

Price controls are a SUPREMELY STUPID idea. If someone tells me I can't sell my product for what it costs to produce it, plus enough extra to pay me reasonably for the time I put into it, guess what I'll have to do? STOP PRODUCING IT. This isn't unique to me. I don't know anyone who keeps going to work every day if they don't get paid. I don't know anyone who keeps running a business just to lose money.

This is such an elementary idea, and price controls have caused shortages and rationing so many times--every time it's been tried, in fact-- that I feel 100% confident in saying this:

Anyone who proposes government price controls of necessary products is TRYING to deprive the public of those products. In the case of food, that's kind of a big problem.

Govern yourselves accordingly.

08/19/2024

Smiling Dog Farm will not be at the Neosho Farmers Market this week, due to other family commitments.

But the okra hasn't stopped, and we've got about 10 lbs of our Red Burgundy okra needing a home ($4/quart), along with a couple of lovely ripe cantaloupes to go with them ($4 each) Delivery to Neosho or Goodman areas. Please message the page if you'd like to get some for yourself!

06/15/2024

Poll: Take your best guess, in comments below, when one would have to start tomato seed, and then when you'd have to plant them out, in order to have ripe slicing tomatoes on June 15. I'll post the answer, from my own experience, tonight.

06/13/2024

I apologize in advance, farm friends. I don't use this page for political/controversial stuff. But I am today, because if you're a friend of the farm, you care about small agriculture and access to healthy food.

A state government (Oregon) has begun a new, unprecedented, overreach that, if it spreads, will spell the death of small farms like Smiling Dog Farm. It's ridiculous, and it has to be stopped.

Oregon has told farms that they cannot use groundwater (wells) for irrigation without buying water rights. For those of you who haven't lived in the West, water rights are VERY expensive. So huge ag can afford them, but someone growing produce for a farmers market most certainly could not.

So this completely arbitrary action is nothing more than an attempt to put small farmers out of business. Unless you want to be utterly dependent on big ag and big retail, keep your eyes out, friends. The war on food has begun.

As Oregon more actively enforces state rules around water usage, some farmers have learned that they’ve been operating illegally for years.

04/19/2024

World class mama, Pinta, one of our few remaining Ameraucana hens, has brought in a spring brood yet again. She's such a good teacher and a fierce protector of her little ones, even though the little brown one is probably the only one that is actually hers.

03/31/2024

My youngest, Bear, who was a fixture at our first couple seasons' markets, is going out on her own, with a new burger and breakfast stand at the Neosho Farmers Market this season. Her big opener will be at Street Food Saturday by Neosho Farmers Market, next week! Stop by and see us and try the Philly Cheesesteak Burger--it's Deeeelicious!

A love of cooking and a love of local food have combined in our new food stand, Bear Grills. We will be a regular feature at the Neosho Farmers Market for the 2024 season, offering handmade burgers created from Thogmartin Cattle Co. beef, Hatfield's ham and bacon, Smiling Dog Farm eggs and veggies, and fresh, homemade buns by Bear.

03/17/2024

The good news and the bad news from picking up my inputs for the garden this year. Good: The price per bag for fish meal was identical to last year. Bad: The bag has been made 20% smaller.

03/12/2024

The fluffy butts are still in overdrive! Eggs, anyone? $4 per dozen. I'll be delivering to Neosho on Tuesday, 3/12. Message with any requests.

02/26/2024

The winter freeloading chickens have put it on blast for the spring. Anybody need eggs? $4 per dozen

02/09/2024

It's not Valentine's Day without chocolate, so the candy equipment came out of storage at the farm. We're going to be setting up at the Nighthawk Gallery & Studio tomorrow, Saturday, February 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. as part of the Galentine's Event on the square in Historic Downtown Neosho. We'll be bringing Chocolate Cherry Cordials, handmade hazelnut truffles, white chocolate lemon cookie tarts, and some chocolate raspberry cookie sandwiches.

We're going to be fancy! Pennington Wines will be doing a tasting, and recommending wines to pair with our candies. Come down to the square to get your very own nibbles and sips, and score some points with your Valentine!

12/25/2023

All of us at Smiling Dog Farm wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas

12/07/2023

Farm friends, I must deliver a little bad news. We had intended to be selling our handmade chocolates at the Sip & Shop at Indian Springs Brewing Company, this Saturday. We have unfortunately had to cancel our participation in the event, due to some last-minute logistical issues.

We apologize to anyone who was waiting to purchase candy for holiday gifts at that event. If you need to place an order, we can still accommodate you before Christmas. Please just send a message and we'll work it out!

11/10/2023

HOMEMADE CANDY MAKES GREAT GIFTS!

The Confectionery at Smiling Dog Farm will enjoy its seasonal existence through December 23.

Because candy should be fresh and eaten immediately, we'll be filling custom orders only, except for the Sip and Shop event at the Indian Springs Brewing Companyon December 9, where you can pick up items on the spot. All orders through Christmas will be packaged in holiday decorative packaging.

Orders can be made by messaging the farm page.

English Toffee (milk chocolate or semi-sweet) 8 oz box--$10
Soft Butter Caramels 12 pc bag -- $5 minimum order 4 bags
Vanilla Cinnamon Candied Pecans 1/3 lb. bag-- $5
Hand-Rolled Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles, box of 16--$25

We need at least one week lead time to fill orders, so get your orders in soon for holiday gifts. When you message, please specify what you are needing, and when you'd like it ready.

11/05/2023

Friends, we have leftover candy, and that means you get a deal--half price! I'll deliver to Neosho or Joplin areas or meet you if you prefer.

English toffee, topped with semi-sweet or milk chocolate, $4 per box of approximately 6 oz.

Regular truffles in semi-sweet, milk chocolate, espresso, or mint, only $4 per box of six of your choice of flavors.

Keto-friendly truffles (less than 3 net carbs each) in semi-sweet or peanut butter, only $5 per box of six, your choice.

Vanilla-Cinnamon candied pecans, approximately 1/3 lb. bags, only $3.

And a limited number of caramels in either plain or chocolate, 12 pc. bags, only $3.

Stock up and have some yummies at a bargain! Message with your orders.

11/03/2023

My lovely candy-making assistant, Bear, who proves that the only thing I make better than candy is babies.

11/03/2023

Hand-rolled, hand dipped truffles are a special, decadent treat that you only get nowadays if they're home made. Heavy cream. Real Belgian chocolate couverture, and hours and hours of mixing, rolling, and individual dipping. There's a little love in every one. Come get yours on Saturday at the Handmade Holiday Market!

10/30/2023

The Confectionery at Smiling Dog Farm is open for business once again.

We just sat down after day 3 of prep for the big event--the Handmade Holiday Market by Neosho Farmers Market, coming next Saturday. This year will feature the reprise of fan favorites, English Toffee, our handmade rich and creamy Belgian Chocolate Truffles, the ever-popular soft, chewy homemade caramels and super-snackers, our signature spiced candied nuts.

Plus this year we're trying a couple of new recipes--some Keto-friendly treats, delicious old-fashioned Butter Mints (think of the little pastel pillows in every grandma's candy dish, only homemade with real butter), and a couple of surprises too.

Make sure you save the date to join us and almost fifty other local vendors across from the Neosho-Newton County Public Library, on Saturday, November 4, from 10-2, and take home some treats and your holiday shopping too!

07/22/2023

The cherry tomatoes went a little nuts this week. Red ones, 'black' ones, and yellow ones. All heirlooms, each slightly different in flavor, and all deeeeee-licious! Come down and see us at Neosho Farmers Market tomorrow, 9 to noon, and take some home, along with the recipe for my family's favorite, fast and easy Garden Pasta, using cherry tomatoes for the sauce!