Filed under: August 2015 | Tags: Farming, food, gardening, pastured pork, piglets, stress free
Out and about
August 5, 2015
We have two sows that have had their babies. They are finally following mom around. They are the cutest things on the farm right now. They were born on pasture in a big nest. They nor their mom was caged or penned up unless you consider a 4 acre pasture penned up. They act as if the whole world is their oyster and are exploring everything they see.
I caught these guys in the shade of the woods. Everyone was napping when I walked up. They laid still for a while until Cinch must have alerted them. The mothers jumped up with a start and sixteen babies headed for the safety of a nearby thicket. I snapped pictures as the little guys took off. It was a hoot watching them jump over a fallen log as they scrambled away.
These litters are the result of over thirty years of selecting for mothering in my gilts. They are the product of docile boars and mixed genetics. They show what time and patience will do for a farmer. I need healthy piglets that grow fast and are easy to handle. I want a lean carcass, well muscled and long…but most of all I want a tender pork chop. I get all these things by careful breeding in an environment without stress…for the animal or the farmer.
Commercial farmers may think I am all wrong. They will say that this is no way to grow production pork. I don’t care what they say…for me it’s the only way. Safe wholesome food is not a concept…it should be a way of life. Pork, plants and people all do better without stress in their lives…so find a way to relieve it. I do it by farming and gardening…and if watching little pigs scramble over a log doesn’t make you smile…. I don’t know what will 😮
Wait for me guys!
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RicelandMeadows 
Makes me miss the hillbilly bacon even more than I already am!
Comment by Donna aka gert August 5, 2015 @ 11:00 amLOL had some for breakfast!
Comment by ricelandmeadows August 6, 2015 @ 11:21 amI feel so blessed one have happened across your website, I’ve been reading it for hours! My parents recently bought a small ranch in Northwestern Arkansas and we are working hard to turn it into a self sufficient, healthy, and natural farm. Just like they did things in the old days and I’ve already learned so much from your website.
We raise pasture raised chickens, St. Croix hair sheep, bottle calves from a local dairy and are trying to start raising pasture raised pigs. I’d love to be able to ask you some questions about pasture raised pigs and get some general advice on making our farm more self sustainable,
Thanks for your time!
Comment by Kylan September 27, 2015 @ 2:36 pm-Kylan
Kylan, thank you for not only reading, but for commenting as well. I am glad to have you along. The biggest thing I can tell you is to go slow. You will make a few mistakes, but you will learn much. I will answer any questions that you have to the best of my ability. So, fire away.
Comment by ricelandmeadows September 27, 2015 @ 8:44 pmI’m just posting again so I can click the box for the email alert when you respond! 😄
Comment by Kylan September 27, 2015 @ 2:38 pmWelcome and hello to mom and dad!
Comment by ricelandmeadows September 27, 2015 @ 8:47 pm