Field Notes / Education

Gloucestershire Old Spots - Brief History

Gloucestershire Old Spots - Brief History

Considered one of the oldest pedigree pig breeds from England, these droopy-eared white pigs with distinctive black spots are making a comeback. Originating form the Berkeley Valley in England near Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire Old Spots (GOS) were very near extinction as recently as the 1970s. Once the preferred "family" pig for small farms and homesteads in England and in the US, the last centuries wars and industrialization almost wiped out these beauties.
Michael Smith
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What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?

What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a model of food production and distribution that connects consumers directly with local farmers. The CSA model is based on the principle of community members supporting a local farm by buying a share of the farm's production in advance, before the growing season begins. This allows farmers to have a guaranteed market for their products, and consumers to have a direct source of fresh, locally grown produce.
Michael Smith
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Why are Eggs so Expensive Right now?

Why are Eggs so Expensive Right now?

Egg prices have been fluctuating over the past few years, and there are several reasons why eggs may currently be considered expensive. One of the main reasons is a shortage of egg-laying hens due to the avian influenza outbreak in the United States. This outbreak, which began in 2014, led to the culling of millions of hens and caused a significant reduction in the number of hens available to lay eggs. This shortage led to an increase in egg prices as supply could not meet the demand.
Michael Smith
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Project - Pig Self-Watering System

Project - Pig Self-Watering System

After two sets of pigs, boy have we learned a lot! In the spirit of the old David Letterman Top 10 Lists, here are the top 10 things we have learned about pigs:

  1. Pigs are friendly
  2. Pigs are mean
  3. Pigs will eat just about anything
Michael Smith
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Angus Beef - A Short History

Angus Beef - A Short History

Angus beef can trace their lineage to the mid 1800s from a Scottish breed of cattle, called the Aberdeen Angus. Angus were bred to be robust and sturdy so they could thrive in the cold Scottish winters. 
Michael Smith
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Classic Steak Cuts

Classic Steak Cuts

Ever wondered why a New York steak is called such? Porterhouse? What is a T-bone?

Let's take a minute to break it down for ya. This post will feature classic "steak" cuts. I will do another post including the other parts of beef as you get it from the butcher down the line.

Michael Smith
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Rendering Pork Back Fat - Silky White Porcine Luxury

Rendering Pork Back Fat - Silky White Porcine Luxury

There are a lot of things we have learned in our short time owning a little farm. Some are dramatic (cows trying to leap fences) while some are so subtle and so simple and yet provide tremendous joy.

One such item is lard

Michael Smith
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Live Weight vs Hanging Weight

Live Weight vs Hanging Weight

These are fancy cattle with good carcass genetics from registered Angus cows, bred by the top Angus and Wagyu bulls available, animals that we have raised with care and kindness. Pigs too.

Let’s assume an average sized 20 to 24-month-old animal weighs approximately 1,200-1400 lbs.; that weight is called the “live weight.” Once the animal is slaughtered, the skin, head, non-usable organs, and hooves are removed, and the carcass is split down the middle. This part of the process is done at the farm.

Michael Smith
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