tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46801017604015390452012-02-21T11:02:30.994-05:00Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-5869504881095917832012-02-21T11:02:00.000-05:002012-02-21T11:02:31.000-05:00

That's how much fun it was.  Rick and I had the best time bringing this group of truffle loving folks together for a good cause.  We beamed for the next couple of days.  It was a wonderful event and we raised some money for a very worthy cause -- the BackPack Program of the Second Harvest Food Bank for schools in Stokes County.  We will do it again.  Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-41605528620967898452012-01-25T13:53:00.000-05:002012-01-25T13:53:34.450-05:00

Here we are in a brand new year with a brand new look for Truffles NC. We (http://mudfootmarketing.com/, http://www.jsinclair.com/and I) spent a few hours in a photo shoot doing "Beauty Shots" with food -- yes, it was all about truffles.  From truffle butter to truffle salt to truffle honey and a lot of the good eats you can use these products in, on and with, it was very interesting and

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-48961929315548796992011-12-30T11:00:00.000-05:002011-12-30T11:00:40.820-05:00

I hope every one of you had a great Christmas holiday and that the new year will be full of prosperity and positive energy for all your endeavors.  I certainly look forward to 2012 myself. The orchards here at Keep Your Fork haven't brought us any truffles yet this year.  In lean years past, I have purchased truffles from other growers and made them available to folks on my customer list.  If

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-78351980598055376152011-12-01T13:57:00.000-05:002011-12-01T13:57:17.183-05:00

Today I got some REALLY GOOD NEWS.  Those of you who know us personally know how hard we have been working to establish a relationship with Whole Foods.  Today it became a reality with the Whole Foods Store in Durham placing their first order for Truffle Butter, sold there under the Maple View Farms label.  It will be on their shelf Monday.  Thank you Whole Foods and Roger Nutter at Maple View

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-35817982343328658422011-11-21T19:23:00.000-05:002011-11-21T19:23:57.641-05:00

Last year this time, Savor NC Magazine did an article about truffles and we were included.  This year, we'll get a spot of our own.  I'll post the link when the article appears but it will be in the January/February issue again.  In case you missed it, here's last year's article  SavorNC Magazine | January/February 2011 Ready for sales just in time for the holidays are truffle salt and truffle

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-599023086027819692011-11-05T15:51:00.000-04:002011-11-05T15:51:47.916-04:00

Hello again, Truffle Fans.  Today I'm sharing a truffle oil recipe I hope you will enjoy.  I read and look for information constantly about truffles and truffle products.  As you know, I'm a self-described fanatic for the real thing. I even order truffle butter when I find it on the web just so I know my competition.  I recently ordered some from Amazon and was completely disappointed to find it

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-27571719514306943792011-10-11T12:18:00.000-04:002011-10-11T12:18:35.537-04:00

This time of year gets plumb beautiful around here.  We live in the Sauratown Mountains and the leaves get so pretty in fall, you really don't have to go anywhere to get your fill of fall beauty.  Of course, it's a little early yet.  It will be another week or two before the most brilliant colors appear but the signs are all here that it's just around the corner. Soon we'll drain the irrigation

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-34454485484379095882011-09-26T17:01:00.000-04:002011-09-26T17:01:55.856-04:00

So, last week, I took a day away from the orchards, pond and truffle butter stuff and went to rub elbows with other entrepreneurs.  (I have been called a serial entrepreneur.  The truffle business is my 5th and -- hopefully -- final start-up business.)  While there, I learned about a young prodigy who imports truffles and sells other truffle products.  I thought you might like to hear the

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-81708810711868422432011-09-26T14:18:00.000-04:002011-09-26T14:18:17.569-04:00

Mini jars, 35 grams of butter & truffle When attending my first meeting of the North Carolina Specialty Food Association last week, I was given the opportunity to introduce myself and say a few words about our product.  I wish I had thought to say, "It's the real thing every time all the time."  More and more I am coming to understand how few folks in my area have really tasted truffles or

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-45307155707341537522011-09-07T13:35:00.000-04:002011-09-07T13:35:00.807-04:00

The right tools make all the difference.  Get some sharp cutting clippers and lopping shears.  Gloves and water are essential.  It's hot out there by 8:30 a.m. The chair is for the end of the job.  (Just didn't want you to think this is a sitting down job.) This tree has been pruned before but it still needs to get some air.  See how dark it is in the center? See the difference?  It's so light

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-62192582218907088692011-08-18T11:59:00.000-04:002011-08-18T11:59:26.592-04:00

After watching the last video about truffle growing (or not) in Australia, I felt compelled to write about something that isn't mentioned there - or anywhere else that I have seen.  Truffle Perfume Most people I meet outside the truffle growers and truffle lovers community - those who are just getting introduced to truffles - don't realize that what they have tasted and smelled in the past is

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-28765419905300743762011-08-15T10:06:00.000-04:002011-08-15T10:06:18.630-04:00

As we spend the last weeks of summer enjoying cool mornings in the orchards, I thought I'd share another interesting link I received from another truffle entrepreneur here in NC. Enjoy! http://abcasiapacific.com/news/2011-08-07/truffle-kerfuffle/2828172 If you've been following the blog for a while, you may be beginning to see how the seasons affect the farming part of this venture.  Usually

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-28414868617839846092011-08-06T13:55:00.000-04:002011-08-06T13:55:04.594-04:00

This week, I'm taking a little side trip to other truffle information.  I'll do some organizing of my thoughts and write more about Keep Your Fork Farm and Truffles NC next time but thought you might be interested in this website.  Opinions (theirs and ours) vary. I get emails regularly from a truffle importer in Chicago who reps for honey truffles - among others.  I'm interested because I've

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-83781547110167564242011-07-22T05:00:00.001-04:002011-07-22T05:00:10.579-04:00

All things truffle stay at top of mind when you're in this business up to your eyeballs like I am.  We have had lots of people come to the farm to see the orchards and hear all about truffle growing.  We needed to be able to serve them something made from truffles while we sat and answered their questions.  A little warm bread smeared with truffle butter seemed to be just the thing.  OK, so where

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-4074984499750923382011-06-25T05:00:00.027-04:002011-06-25T05:00:03.312-04:00

The 2006-07 season proved to be one of 3 in which we harvested truffles in this orchard.  I grow ever more grateful for the orchard we planted in 2004.  Every year I am a little more optimistic about its future harvesting potential.   When we find that first basketful of truffles there, that will be a very happy day!  I think it will be every bit as great as when we found the very first ones! The

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-88900151563692112742011-06-10T05:00:00.001-04:002011-06-10T05:00:08.774-04:00

Seems like yesterday I was sitting here blogging away. Then Memorial Day happened and I got caught up in all things truffles and blogging slipped my mind.  Honestly, that's not all that slipped my mind but -- that's a whole different story.  Now, where was I? Oh Yes, the Martha Stewart Show.  When we returned from New York, we had to get back in the orchards quickly.  The February trip was right

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-61316567035560120482011-05-28T10:10:00.000-04:002011-05-28T10:10:36.284-04:00

Happy Memorial Day!  We're taking a break from computer time this week-end to enjoy just being here with dogs and family.  Hope you are doing the same. I hope everyone has a safe week-end that includes some fun and rest! See you back next week. Jane

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-74428741238224023852011-05-21T07:00:00.001-04:002011-05-21T07:00:08.027-04:00

We have just had one of the most famous gardeners, authors, cooks and tv personalities anywhere visit our orchards and a good time was had by all.  We sat around for a couple of days smiling and talking about the details.  It was truly a great experience having Martha Stewart and her crew at our farm.  Then came the next surprise -- an invitation to come to the show on the day it airs.  Were we

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-51601530678955769042011-05-14T07:00:00.012-04:002011-05-14T07:00:00.906-04:00

Well, sure enough, we found our first truffles and lots of people were really happy about that!  Telling the story has always been really fun for me and showing people pictures of our first harvest was even more so.  News spread far and wide -- all the way to New York City!  Picture this. December 21, 2006 (less than a month after Truffle #1 appeared) the questions started coming from Martha

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-66949671028870300302011-05-08T12:17:00.000-04:002011-05-08T12:17:29.154-04:00

We have watered, weeded, pruned, applied hydrated lime, waited, watched, trained dogs and waited and watched some more.  Finally -- as predicted to happen between years 5 and 8, we found our first truffles.  Jumping up and down for excitement -- us and Friday!  It was Friday who found them all and the first one was laying on top of the ground Just laying there!  I grabbed it up and sniffed - had

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-85873298435207509392011-04-30T07:00:00.001-04:002011-04-30T07:00:06.919-04:00

Knowing that we had a good chance of finding truffles at 5 years after planting, we figured we'd better get busy training that border collie.  He was ready for a real job.  So, what's the best way to do that?  We thought it was best to scent train the dog with the real thing so we got some truffles - the same kind he would be hunting.  Some folks think that training a dog with truffle oil works.

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-71776001548275862222011-04-22T07:00:00.063-04:002011-04-22T07:00:04.328-04:00

Along about now, Rick and I decided it might be a good idea to save our aging bodies and hire some youthful energy.  Through a representative of the Employment Security Commission, we looked for farm help.  The young man he connected us to said he grew up on a farm and he could drive a tractor with a bucket on the front real good.  We thought that if somebody told you he knew how to drive a

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-37427033701494346182011-04-16T10:00:00.000-04:002011-04-16T10:00:05.004-04:00

In the beginning, it seemed that there wasn't too much to do.  We were pretty proud of ourselves and thought this kind of farming just might suit us.   "Pride goeth before a fall" -- don't forget. OK  Here we are at year 4 and let's review.  So far, we've replaced micro-sprinklers with drip irrigation, bought 3 tractors, gotten chummy with deer, moles, voles and rabbits.  We're thinking "What

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-43445105677469671992011-04-09T09:23:00.000-04:002011-04-09T09:23:00.739-04:00

So, what's a truffle farmer to do while we wait the 5-8 years for truffles to appear?  Plenty! First, you need to make sure there's plenty of water for those dry hot summers we're becoming famous for this part of North Carolina.  We have installed the micro-sprinkler system attached to the well we use for our principal water source.  While it delivers water to the area around the tree quite

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-26094349323642486792011-04-02T10:00:00.000-04:002011-04-02T10:00:03.789-04:00

Sometime in 1995, we (Rick and I) started growing shiitake mushrooms on logs.  That experiment led us to Franklin Garland who was a commercial producer of shiitake and in the process of transitioning to supplying truffle inoculated seedlings.  Franklin gave us a quick tour of his first truffle orchard.  That planted the seed. We never thought seriously about this being a pioneering venture.  We

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680101760401539045.post-3142908020156990402011-03-26T13:04:00.000-04:002011-03-26T13:04:41.701-04:00

Today I made the commitment.  OK.  It's weekly posts to the Truffle Growing Blog.  I'll share our experience over the last 11 years (and before) about our farm from it's dream state to today.  If you want to know what it's really been like to have a truffle farm, you'll find the story here. It will be in chapters and I'll be telling the whole story - none of this smoke and mirrors  stuff. 

Truffles NChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09209757477308748657noreply@blogger.com2