FatStone Blog

Where's The Elderberry?
Posted by Liz Farrell onIf you became our customer because of our incredible "Elderberry Apple Shots", we thank you. We have all the original packages you rely on: - Elderberry Apple Shots, 2 packs, 4 packs, cases of 12, and 1/2 gallon (67 fl oz) options. You can choose non GMO apples or organic...

2022 Markets and Events
Posted by Liz Farrell onCome and Visit Us if you are Local! We will have ALL our farm goodies like maple syrup and elderberry juice, along with (depending on the weather) seasonal produce, fresh eggs, and elderberry soaps. You may even spot one of Liz's hand-made baskets or wreaths. - Saturday, May 21st, 9...

What's the Difference between Juice and Shots?
Posted by Liz Farrell onLet me dive right into that answer! Elderberry Juice is pressed elderberries. We also add <1% of citric acid for shelf stability. Elderberry Apple Shots are pressed elderberries and apple syrup. The apples add sweetness and balance to the naturally tart and slightly bitter elderberries. Which one should I choose?...

The Rainbow of Flavors in Pure Maple Syrup
Posted by Liz Farrell onIn 2004, the Canadian Government's Agriculture and Agri-Food Department, and the Centre Acer co-created a wonderful tasting wheel to really delve down into the incredible nuances of maple syrup. (please note, the wheel is copyrighted material) The larger maple syrup packing houses are working very hard to create a uniform...

Seven Years - Seven Products - Seven Jokes
Posted by Liz Farrell onIn June 2021, we are 7 years old! The first thing we made here was organic maple syrup, and sold it at the local Farmer's Market. We didn't even have our own booth. This photo shows a fellow farmer Michael, selling our syrup, along with Liz and Jonathan and Colin: Joke...

Elderberry For Your Skin! Use Soap From the Dirt, Not the Lab
Posted by Liz Farrell onI started looking at the back of soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics labels many years ago. I can't remember exactly why I started, but it ended here, at Fat Stone Farm. I would be in the store looking at soap. Usually, there would be a picture of a nice plant on...

Why I Can't Sell You Elderberry Syrup
Posted by Liz Farrell onPhoto credit: Douglas Hampton-Dowson © Fat Stone Farm LLC THE QUESTION: We always try to keep our prices down for folks. One of the ways we *thought* about it was to make a REAL, TRUE Elderberry SYRUP. Why not? Lots of you know Elderberry Syrup! Everything I read about our competitors...

Elderberry Availability & Pricing Update
Posted by Liz Farrell onOddly, as I write this at the turn of the year (2021 into 2022), things seem strangely calm. After 2 years of "pivoting", reacting, trying to plan, and wondering what was around the corner, there isn't much happening. Which is FANTASTIC! I'm just enjoying it while it lasts! This...

Going Organic
Posted by Liz Farrell onEver since our first batch of Elderberry Apple Syrup in early 2016, we've been working towards consistently delivering a top-notch elderberry product. Something a factory could not duplicate. Something simple, versatile, and unique. Maybe something a very determined home-cook-farmer could match, but how many of us grow elderberries, apples, and...
The Maple-est Decorations for Tree or Wreath
Posted by Liz Farrell onSmall, classy but not stuffy, colorful, interesting -- that's how we decorate our evergreens on the farm -- and here is an easy idea to add some Fat Stone Farm bling to your trees and wreaths this holiday. I think these cute bottles match almost any style, but they are...

How to Choose an Elderberry Syrup
Posted by Liz Farrell onElderberry is a popular berry and there are new products out there almost every day. This is not an advertisement for our own Elderberry Apple Shots, but rather a helpful tip on how to choose an elderberry syrup. Spend Your Money on Elderberry If you want to spend your money...

Are Your Customer Reviews Real?
Posted by Liz Farrell onSomeone asked me this the other day, after reading through our customer reviews, "You have great customer reviews. Are they real?" Yes, they are 'real.' Every customer who purchases on our website receives a request to submit a review. After they submit a review, they receive a 10% coupon code....
Elderberry Lore: Part 2 of Everything You Wanted to Know about Sambucus But Were Afraid To Ask
Posted by Liz Farrell onIf you are new to elderberry, welcome! There's more to read in "Part 1" of Elderberry Lore - and great information here in "Part 2." While elderberry (Sambucus nigra spp. canadensis) gets a lot of attention in the winter time, there are plenty of ways to use it all year...
Surviving the Franken-Candy Season with Farmer Liz
Posted by Elizabeth Farrell onMy kids came home after an outing with two half-pound gummy bears, made half-way around the world, and with the first ingredient something I had never heard of: maltose syrup. I think the total sugars in the entire bear was something like 120g. It was a great opportunity to talk...

Our Chicken Coop Office
Posted by Elizabeth Farrell onFat Stone Farm Announces All-New Office Digs Creatively Converted Chicken Coop to Help Propel Elderberry Syrup Business We have a second office location as a new addition to the company! The space, which is a fully renovated 2nd story chicken coop that overlooks the shipping center, solves our need for additional space to share...