Bad Storm = too much water

Last night's storm dumped way too much water way to fast here.  In between storm one and two I went out to check all the huts for flooding and had one hut flooded.  Skittish just had babies yesterday morning (10 new little ones) her hut had standing water in it.  Dan and I had to open up her pen and move her hut to a dry area.  Most of you would think this is no big deal but what you don't know is pigs are major creatures of habit.  They absolutely hate change!

We got her to go into the dry hut easily enough but the piglets kept laying back down where the hut originally was.  "This is where I was born and this is where I belong".  Yes, if you listen you can hear them speak to you.  It took Dan and I about 15 minutes to get them to go into the dry hut.  It took so long because you cannot pick them up and move them, you kind of have to shoe them in.  If you pick up a piglet it squeals and then mom comes after you.  Yes that happened a few times last night.  I can tell you, you do not want a 400 lb angry sow coming after you.  She can and will do major damage.

Thankfully that was the only hut that had to be moved.  Now the sun is shining and all is quite and calm

Copy of a customers blog from the Party

Forest Pigs Hate Johnny Cash 05/10/2011 0 Comment(s)   Pulling up to C & D Family Farms in Knox, Indiana, the last thing I expected to find was a lush, expansive forest filled with pigs. Forest pigs. The porcine paradise of shaded swine was awaiting us (us being my sister, Kim, brother-in-law, Bob, and their kiddos, Simon and Louie), after driving two hours southeast of Chicago to attend CSA member appreciation day held at the farm. Yes, there are meat CSAs. The pigs roamed, rooted, nursed and grunted to the sweet smell of grilled pork, bratwurst, pulled pork, pork burgers, bacon burgers and more, all made from their siblings. Under the trees and amid the mud, 200+ pigs are fenced in with wire fencing, but generally have run of the woods--which they took advantage of as soon as the on-site band started playing "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash. More than 40 large pigs sprinted from one end of the lot to the other trying, unsuccessfully, for a prison break. The farm, which is owned by Crystal and Dan Nells, is a true labor of love. The couple moved to their house in the woods years ago, and decided that they wanted to find a way to earn a living off of their land. After much research, they decided to breed, raise and sell hogs. "You gotta like their shit," says Dan, pointing to his pants, which are, indeed, covered in pig shit. Dan went on to say that he yells at people all day during his day-job, but the pigs? "You don't have to yell at them," he said. You speak quietly and they listen. The pigs ranged in size from tiny squealing piglet to intimidating 800-pound boar. Allow me to indulge you in some fun facts: * Light skinned pigs get sunburned, and forest pigs are protected from the sun. * Pigs can live for about nine years. * They breed continuously from the time they're sexually mature. * With all the pressure and expectations mounted on them, boars often experience ED so artificial insemination is common. * The pigs go to "market" at about 5 and a half months. * The runts and the babies who get injured are actually the lucky ones. The Nells take them into their home to nurse them back to health. They often strike up a liking for the critters, so those are the ones who are destined for breeding--rather than bacon. * If a piglet is rough while nursing, it's mother will stop feeding it. It's then separated into a different pen and fed goat milk (see, humans aren't the only species who drink the milk of another species.) It was refreshing to see pigs living such a nice (albeit short) life, and it was great meeting the Nells--salt of the earth folks with a penchant for pork. This is how they describe their farm on their website: "Our philosophy is simple, we are all on this earth to live. While they are going to become food we want them to live the best and most comfortable life they can while they are here. Just as we are trying to do. You can taste the difference love makes." Can't beat that, can you? Love tastes like bacon.

What A Party

I must say customer appreciation day was a great success.  While rain was in the forecast it held off for quite a while.  When it did come it didn't stay for long and the day ended with sunny sky's.  We had a bon fire going the whole day.  Three of our completely free range pigs (Baby Ear, Allia and Foot) were roaming the property and did not cause the damage I feared they would. 

We did make a major discovery.  Pigs don't like bands!  No way, no how.  When the band started playing the entire farm freaked out.  The pigs were very scared.  They went to corners of their pens and wouldn't move.  Even in the rain, they wouldn't go into their huts, they just huddled in groups.  So, unfortunately the band didn't play very long. 

Customers (and friends) met Dan for the first time.  One of the customers told Dan they thought he was a figment of my imagination and that I just made up the name of the farm.  Even one of my friends from the market told Dave they didn't think Dan really existed.  Well now many of you can attest to the fact Dan is a real person.  Dan is a full time electrician so when he isn't working at his electrical job (in Chicago) he spends all his time on the farm. 

Dan gave full and very informative tours of the farm.  Dave filled in a couple of times to give Dan a break but for the most part Dan was in his element.  If Dan had it his way he would never leave the farm.  He absolute loves being with the animals, so much that he sings to them.  Both Dan and Dave know every single pig on the farm.  They know their individual personalities, their likes and dislikes.  I on the other hand know your individual personalities and likes and dislikes.  While Dave loves the farm (as you know he moved out hear last October) he also loves the farmers markets and can't wait for them to start.  That is why this works so well.  Dan loves being on the farm.  I love the farmers markets and all my customers and Dave is the best of both of us. 

The food was great!  One customer brought piggy cupcakes.  As promised the grill was going the whole day.  I had also made a ham and pulled pork.  Next year I will skip the ham and make at least 2 batches of the pulled pork.  The guys made pork burgers, sausage links and pork chops.  The customers provided us with plenty of wonderful side dishes and desserts. 

All in all it was a great day and fun was had by all.  If you missed this years party, next years party (mark your calendars early) is Saturday, May 5.

Thank you all for coming!