Let’s face it, when you’re in pain, you want to know you can find a way to ease your suffering. Chronic pain is the root of many lost hours of professional productivity and personal pleasure. At 4 D Acres we want to assist you with your pain relief needs.
ULTRA™ Emu Oil has been found to be 45% more effective for pain when compared with regular emu oil. One of our customers who has fibromyalgia said that while she finds relief with regular emu oil, the difference in pain reduction is astounding when she uses ULTRA™ Emu Oil.
 4 D ACRES Muscle-Joint Plus is a special formulation of 20% ULTRA™ Emu Oil for increased reduction in tissue inflammation. While other brands only use regular emu oil, you can rest assured that the pain relief power in our Muscle-Joint Plus will calm your aches and pains because of the ULTRA™ Emu Oil it contains.
 I just picked up the (Ultra) Emu Oil from the post office today. It’s a good thing as I was attacked by a very scared cat. I was scratched, bruised and have some pretty deep punctures on my arms. (The cat’s OK just scared by some noise outside.) It was 45 minutes after I was scratched and my arms were inflamed and burning when I finally opened my mail and put the (Ultra) emu oil on my arms. Instant relief! While the spots are still sensitive there is no more burning and the swelling has gone down. Now I was ready to use it for the reason I ordered it…I put some on my back where I suffer from daily inflammation due to an old injury. Four hours later and I have only felt a little bit of discomfort in my lower back. Now I am looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep without the pain. I’m looking forward to continued use…
- C.M.
Van Nuys, CA
Bill and Brenda Harris bought a piece of property on the 2nd Saturday in March in 2001 and have developed it into a 56,000 square foot commercial property that thrives as an ole west border town.
Bill had retired from the corporate world and wanted to create a country-western family atmosphere where people could go to get away from the city and experience a little down-home ambience. He was able to do that by continuing the legacy started by Jim Rutlader at Rutlader’s Outpost on the old Highway 69 in Louisburg Kansas. He admits that he works more hours than he did in his corporate job, but has loved that he could create his own destiny.
Bill and Brenda help others create their own destiny as well at the Miller Creek Theater, including local musicians. Beginning in the second week of March through the second week in December, the Miller Creek Theater hosts Country Western acts from Branson, Missouri, and Nashville, Tennessee as well as musicians from the greater Kansas City area. Upcoming shows include local favorite Tony Juarez as well as Nashville’s T. Graham Brown. With an open theater that seats 600, the venue is an important piece of the Miami County, Kansas landscape and economy.
The Middle Creek Band is the house entertainment and there is always promise of a good foot-stompin’ time, as they play at every show. For a schedule of upcoming shows you can visit their webpage at www.middlecreektheater.com.
 Concerts are every Saturday evening at 7:30 during the open season. Rutlader’s Outpost and RV Park is open year round.
Bill and Brenda are great supporters of the community and have always been willing to help us here at 4 D Acres and anyone else in the community. We (Mike and Dee) have really enjoyed the shows that we have seen at the Middle Creek Theater.
 How do you know what you are buying? How do you separate marketing hype from facts? Is price point all you consider when you are purchasing products that you gravitate to because of their health value?
Emu oil, for all its positive qualities, does not escape from the hard pitches and advertising gimmicks. It is our desire at 4D Acres to educate consumers, so that they know just what they are getting when they exchange their hard-earned money for our products.
Does your oil make the grade?
Emu oil is classified into three grades*, A, B and C. Grade A emu oil must be fully refined and meet the international trade rules for Grade A emu oil.
Grade B emu oil has been fully refined, but does not meet the international trade rules for Grade A emu oil. It is commonly used in products or and is sold for use on animals by 4 D Acres.
Grade C emu oil has been rendered, but not refined. It is used in the making of lye soap and for light industrial use.
*pharmaceutical grade, cosmetic grade , triple refined; these are marketing terms used by some product companies and add nothing to the quality of the oil.
What determines quality in emu oil?
The feeding and care of the birds can affect the quality of the oil. If quality is important to you, you might want to know exactly where your oil is coming from and what the diet of the birds producing that oil is. Poor feed will result in a lesser quality oil.
Proper care and age of the emu fat will and can also determine the quality of the oil. Fat that is stored too long cannot be brought up to Grade A standards.
The color of oil is another factor. While the color of the oil may meet the tolerances of a Grade A emu oil, 4 D Acres only sells creamy white emu oil. Any color variation is automatically downgraded to Grade B. The Ultra Emu Oil ™ and the Clear Emu Oil offered by 4 D Acres only come from creamy white oil.
AEA Certified Emu Oil?
 AEA (American Emu Association) Certified Emu Oil is pure emu oil that has been tested by an AOCS (American Oil Chemist Society) certified chemist and has been certified to meet the stringent specifications for the Emu Oil Fully Refined Trade rules. This well-documented certification process ensures that the emu oil has been tested and has achieved the specifications of Pure Fully Refined Emu Oil. A sample is held in storage and can be pulled for testing if there is any question of product purity. Only pure emu oil that has gone through this stringent process can carry the AEA Certification Seal. (as shown)
All companies must be registered with the American Emu Association in order to sell and carry the American Emu Association Certified Fully Refined seal on their label, websites and/or advertising.
Does the refining process matter?
This is a question that many people have. Because some refining methods are terribly inefficient and totally ineffective at producing a safe, consistent, top quality, stable finished product, it is important to consider the source of your emu oil and its refining process. The two most common refining methods are molecular distillation and physical refining.
Molecular distillation is popular in the cosmetics industry, maybe most notably for stripping vitamin E from soybean oil so that it can be used in other products and applications. It can however be ineffective for emu oil because it could potentially strip essential properties from the oil as it is not completely understood what the exact components of emu oil are that deliver its amazing benefits. Molecular distillation involves spinning the oil over metal plates at variable speeds with the intent of separating the impurities, but it has not been proven to be effective with emu oil. In fact, the process can leave high levels of peroxide which will cause the oxidization of the oil, creating a rapid turning of the oil to a rancid state.
4 D Acres chooses to use a refinery that uses the physical refining method. Physical refining does not add any chemicals to the oil as some websites would lead you to believe. The process is all-natural and environmentally safe, using natural clays to treat the oil, removing impurities, pigments and bacteria. No harsh chemicals are used.
It is our desire to bring you the highest quality product at the fairest price. We hope that the next time you consider an emu oil purchase, that you will consider 4 D Acres emu oil. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@4dacres.com with any questions or comments.
 It’s time once again for the Spring Miami County Farm Tour. The tour began in 2004 after Mike saw the potential in a Farm Tour in Prince Charles County, Virginia. He approached Miami County with the idea and started the tour with 11 stops that year. Mike serves as Chairman of the committee and is involved with every step of the process.
Preparation for the Spring Farm tour starts in December with two other farms and the Economic Development Director of Miami County. Meetings are held frequently to plan and prepare. Marketing collateral is developed including press releases, participant applications, tour map, and brochure. Applications must be approved after an inspection of their facilities.
Set Up
Preparations at the 4 D Acres emu farm begins about a week prior to the tour by scheduling the portable toilet for guests to use. On the Wednesday prior, the farm equipment is relocated so that a portion of the barn is available to set up a temporary store and display area. On Thursday the lawn and emu pens are mowed – 3 acres in all – and the perimeter fences are trimmed with a string trimmer. During this time display cases are cleaned and tables are set up for emu oil and other products. Then the freezer is stocked with emu meat and chickens. Friday involves setting up the emu eggs, pictures, crafts, and leather in the display cases and the floor is swept again.
Saturday is tour day so our day begins in the early darkness by setting up the products for sale, product signage, farm signage at the local corners of the road and up at the state highway. The portable toilet is checked to make sure it is clean and stocked with hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Flagging tape is put up in areas where we do not want the public to venture. A few baby emu and baby chickens are relocated in their new, temporary living area so the public can see them up close. Somewhere in that time a good breakfast is needed because we don’t know if we will have a chance to eat lunch.
The Tour Begins
 No matter how much work it seems that we do for the tours, we truly love talking to people, answering their questions about what we do and why we raise emu and free range chickens, but best of all is to see the joy in children’s faces when they get to be up close and touch Barney, our pet emu.
After the tour finishes on the first day, we must repack the products and move them into the house so wild animals do not destroy everything overnight. When all is packed and the paperwork recorded it is time for dinner and to share the day’s experiences before retiring for the night.
Sunday morning is a repeat of Saturday. The process begins again setting up the displays, checking the portable toilet, and ensuring that the flagging tape is still intact. After the tour closes for another season, the temporary store is disassembled, product is put back on the shelves in the office, roadside signs are retrieved, and the flagging tape and stakes are picked up and put away. We are glad there are restaurants close by that are open late as we are too tired to fix dinner.
 By Monday morning the barn is back again being used to store equipment and life again returns to normal, or at least normal as we know it.
The 2012 Spring tour features the largest self-guided tour with 15 stops featuring farms with alpacas, emus, asparagus, blackberries, beef, goats, wines – all involved in agriculture and located in the county.
This is repeated once again in the fall with some different tour stops.
For more information visit: http://www.miamicountyks.org/tourism/events.html
 The last thing you need when you have an outbreak of acne or other skin blemishes is a product that further irritates the affected area, increasing the redness, causing more pain, and drying out your skin. Sometimes the treatment can be the reason for scarring more than the irritation itself.
It is probably important to you to know what you are putting on your skin. It is important to use products that are natural and effective in treating the symptoms that you have. It is frustrating enough to have to suffer from certain skin conditions, but more frustrating to have limited relief from product after product without understanding why.
The anatomy of a blemish is larger than what we see on the surface, which can make even a good product seem like it isn’t working. Because there is an infection of sorts that is deeper than the outer surface of our skin, the damage does not disappear with a product like an eraser to a punctuation error on the chalkboard. Often it will seem if things are getting worse before they get better as the infection works its way out.
 The deep skin-penetrating effect of emu oil is one of the reasons that our A/R Crème is so effective, because the issue of the skin condition goes beyond topical. Our A/R Crème contains 100% natural ingredients, the primary one being Sulfur, a proven acne medication. It is highly concentrated which means that a very small amount is needed to achieve the desired result. Overuse of the product can actually complicate the healing process by drying out the skin. It can be used for treatment as well as a preventive measure against further breakouts.
 Kelly Behnke is a proponent for whole body health, not just because it is her profession, but because whole body health has given her life. After being ran over by a large horse over 6 years ago, Kelly was uncertain if she would ever enjoy life the way she had before. With 3 herniated discs, she went through nine months of doctor’s visits, therapies, and the consideration of surgery, which seemed to be her only option. Because the surgeon’s prognosis of her recovery following surgery was uncertain, even in regard to her ability to walk, Kelly decided to try alternative healing instead. What Kelly wanted most to do was ride her beloved horses again.
Kelly’s mom, Roberta Ashby, was already practicing MFR Therapy (Myofascial Release) and Kelly decided that she would give that a try as an alternative to surgery. Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. After only 3 months of treatment, Kelly began to experience amazing changes in her back as well as other aspects of her health. An MRI later showed that the herniated discs had disappeared.
As Kelly’s health improved, she also began to pay attention to the rest of her body and embraced a whole body health philosophy and decided that she would follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a Myofascial Release Therapist. They later opened Main Body Works together at 564 Main Street in Osawatomie, Kansas where they focus on working with their clients toward whole body healing through the myofascial release, proper nutrition and supplements, and other therapies. On Christmas Day last year, they celebrated the 5 year anniversary of their location opening.
Kelly is also a proponent of our 4 D Acres Hand Lotion. She uses it on her own hands before every treatment because it is moisturizing while not leaving an oily residue. Unlike some massage treatments, myofascial release is not done with the application of oils or lotions. She has noticed that using it also reduces inflammation in her knuckles and wrists after performing up to 5 therapy treatments a day. She also recommends 4 D Acres Muscle Joint Plus for deep penetrating relief of muscle and joint pain.
A myofascial release treatment lasts about 90 minutes, and appointments are available by calling 913.731.2535.
Emu oil is becoming well known for its many positive healthy properties, but like any natural product, it has a limited shelf life. Proper care of your emu oil can extend its usefulness.
 4 D Acres emu oil has a shelf life of 2 to 3 years from the time it is refined, and we keep all of our oil in refrigeration until the point of sale in order to maintain its freshness for our customers. Once you have purchased the oil, it is advisable to follow a few steps to properly care for your oil.
- Keep in a dry, dark place. Sunlight causes oxidization which breaks down the oil and can cause it to become rancid.
- Keep the lid on tight. Air is another cause of oxidization. Keeping the lid on tight will help maintain the oil and keep it from absorbing odors from other products in the vicinity.
- Buy Thrifty. Purchasing a larger bottle of emu oil can be extremely cost-effective. If you purchase a large size emu oil, you should keep it in the refrigerator and take it out only to fill your small container. To do this, run the larger container under warm water until the oil liquefies. Pour the oil into the small container and return the large container to the refrigerator.
When any oil begins to smell, it is the first sign that your oil is turning rancid. It has not been determined if this affects the properties of emu oil. 4 D Acres chooses not to scent our oil so that you are aware of any changes to your emu oil.
 If every day were Saturday, life at 4 D Acres would be tough to handle. Fortunately it comes only once a week.
Saturdays are Farmers’ Market days, and because the markets open at 6:30 a.m., our day actually starts on Friday afternoon. We begin by stocking the freezers on the truck and the trailer with emu meat and chicken which will be available for sale at the market. Then our emu oil products must be inventoried and strategically loaded in market crates to make placement easy once we arrive. Following a check list, we also make sure that we have sales receipts and calculators loaded with appropriate sales tax rates.
In addition to all of the prep work for the next day, the current day’s obligations must be handled first, phones answered, orders filled, packed and shipped by 4:30 p.m. If the phones are busy, the inventorying and packing for market must wait. All in all, when we make it to the post office before it closes with the outgoing orders, and to bed by 9:00 p.m., we consider ourselves lucky.
No matter what time we get to sleep on Friday night, we follow a strict schedule on Saturday. That means that we rise no later than 3:00 a.m. to quietly shower and dress so we don’t wake the rest of the household. If any orders come in via the internet during the night, they are handled immediately. Our goal is to leave the house by 4:00 a.m. sharp and head to the local gas station to fill up the gas tank, and get a hot or cold drink for the drive ahead.
 Mike arrives at the Overland Park Market* around 5:00 a.m. to begin setup, a process that has now become second nature. Set up the tables with product, signage, and our newsletter signup sheet. David arrives around 6:00 a.m. with to pick up the truck, also loaded with a freezer and products and heads to the Merriam Market* to set up his area. From 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mike and David spend the time talking with customers and market attendees, as well as other vendors. Both sell product, answer questions about the oil, the meat, the bird and the 4 D Acres farm. If it is not too busy, they take the opportunity to fit in a breakfast break, buying food from one of the other vendors.
Once the crowds retreat, the process begins its reversal, repack everything and load the trailer. Meeting up again around 2:30 p.m., Mike and David head somewhere to enjoy a late but welcomed lunch before heading back to the farm to unload.
Dinner is usually ready by the time the unloading is done and we enjoy our meal before heading to the office to input the sales for the day. On a good day, this is all done by 7:00 p.m. The plan is then for Mike and Dee to relax in front of the TV for a while before it is bedtime. Inevitably, Mike falls asleep on the couch and Dee wakes him about 9:00 p.m. to tell him it is time for bed.
So as you can see, there are not enough hours in the day for every day to be Saturday. For that we are thankful!
*Because of Mike’s farm commitments and David’s work schedule, they currently are not doing the Saturday Farmers’ Markets.
 Your hair is ultimately an extension of your wardrobe as part of your overall image, but like a silk tie or a linen blouse, it must be cared for properly. Because it is fragile, it is important to carefully select the right products for your hair care regimen.
While your hair can be weakened through a less than ideal diet, or from an illness, it can also reflect weakness from heavy styling or lack of proper care. Hair is ultimately made up of 90% keratin protein and 10% water. The proper care can help to maintain the delicate moisture balance in healthy hair.
 Emu oil acts as a fortifying agent for limp dry hair; it helps to eliminate split ends and restores a natural healthy shine to the hair. Our Purple Emu Hair Shampoo gently cleanses your hair and scalp and leaves a pleasant fragrance. Our Purple Emu Hair Conditioner is a moisture-rich formula that softens hair leaving it tangle-free, silky and shiny. For hair that is full of body and luxurious, use Purple Emu Shampoo & Hair Conditioner from 4 D Acres.
4 D Acres offers this shampoo and conditioner separately or as a discounted set. You will enjoy that it is gentle but effective as shown with this supportive testimonial.
“I like it a lot. It leaves my hair soft and no knots. It smells like a nice flower.”
Susana V, age 5
In another installment of Business Profiles, we would like to present InterKan.
 When it comes to website options, they are too numerous to count. Whether it is for hosting, design or simply maintenance, it is important that you can rely on your service provider. If you have problems with your website, your virtual storefront, you can compare that to a brick and mortar store that is messy and unattractive or that simply does not open for business.
4 D Acres Emu Oil has been using InterKan for hosting, design and maintenance of our site www.4dacresemuoil.com almost the entire 16 years we have been in business because we realized early on the importance of having a website. When our original web designer passed away, we called Sheila Kamler, owner of InterKan, having met her at a state convention for the Kansas Emu Association. Based on the preexisting relationship and the services InterKan provides, we moved to their hosting service and redesigned the website. Just a few years ago, we underwent a major revision to which we attribute a direct increase in sales.
Founders Sheila Kamler and Justin Geering understand small business, being admittedly a small business themselves. With a track record of more than 15 years of success helping other small businesses, they understand the crucial need for businesses to be well represented on the web. They provide personalized customer service. That literally means that we can talk to a live person on the phone and get prompt email responses as well. For busy people like us, that is imperative.
Beyond their personalized approach, and perhaps because of it, they are an award winning enterprise, having won the 2002 Award of Merit from the Kansas Department of Commerce, and the 2009 Best of Topeka Web Contest by TK Magazine, for the Kansas CPR website that they designed and built. They pride themselves for their level of dedication to the community, having been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manhattan, KS and the Manhattan/Riley County Sesquicentennial. They have also donated time and resources to area non-profits with complimentary web design and hosting.
4D Acres Emu Oil is proud to call Sheila and Justin friends and InterKan an important part of our success. If you need webhosting, shopping cart, web consulting, email service, smart phone linkage and excellent service, we recommend InterKan. You’ll receive timely updates and your questions are always answered the same day or at least within 24 hours. Justin explains what we need to do in a language that we can understand.
Located locally in Manhattan, Kansas, you can find them globally at www.interkan.net.
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4 D ACRES Muscle-Joint Plus is a special formulation of 20% ULTRA™ Emu Oil for increased reduction in tissue inflammation. While other brands only use regular emu oil, you can rest assured that the pain relief power in our Muscle-Joint Plus will calm your aches and pains because of the ULTRA™ Emu Oil it contains.
