Introducing a new farmer to the Fair Shares lineup: John Arbuckle of Singing Prairie Farms!
Farmer John Arbuckle contacted us about carrying his products at Fair Shares, and his farming methods are just what we are looking for in our farmers. He told me they are reducing the grain in their pigs diet by 75%, feeding them non-gmo fruits and veggies instead.
This next 9-week cycle, we’ll be carrying Singing Prairie pork breakfast sausage in the shares, available in regular or maple. We purchased two whole hogs and have a variety of sliced ham, bacon, and pork chops, along with the sausage and a couple of ham hocks. The price is almost as high as their standards, which, as fans of Joel Salatin, makes us feel really good about supporting his farm.
Here’s their story:
Our delightful pigs.
Currently our pigs are born on an Amish farm in Clark, Missouri. We pick them up at about six weeks of age before which they live a lovely outdoor, albeit conventional, life. On our farm we are committed to Non-GMO animal feed. This is one of the things that sets us apart, and as a result adds to the price of what we produce.
We supplement the pigs Non-GMO grain with seasonally available fruits and vegetables. We are of the feeling that copious amounts of these fruit and vegetables increases the vitamin/mineral and omega-3 content of the meat as well as imparts a unique and delicate flavor. They spend their spring free ranging about a ½ acre of field peas. Anyone who has ever had pea tendrils in a salad can attest to how delicious they are. When the peas have given up the ghost, we rotate the pigs into a thinly wooded pasture complete with shade trees, clover and abundant wildflowers.
You should really come and see them at this time. It’s very picturesque (I might add that it’s during this time that my son Noah tries to sneak up and jump on their backs!). While in the woods and pasture we bring them turnips of our own growing. After that they receive a luxury of luxuries: Apples. Bushels of apples. It is the peas, turnips and apples that we feel impart that special blend of nutrition and flavor.