Inside A GMO-Free Pig

Today on the farm we are a little sad while simultaneously feeling blessed.  Two of our American Guinea Hogs were farm-killed today by our trusted friends at Southern Oregon Fine Meats.  As far as killing animals goes, it went well.   Robert is a skilled marksman and butcher and to watch him at work makes me appreciate the money we pay him.

Petey and Russ were wonderful 15 month-old pigs.  They were never sick a day in their life and they loved to eat grass and roots and roll over for tummy rubs.   They were organic creatures.  We are full of gratitude for the nourishment these two healthy animals will provide our family and our farm friends.

I know it's a bit odd (some might say creepy), but I am always fascinated to look inside the animal we have cared for. I like seeing their healthy organs and symmetry of muscles and tissue. To appreciate the marvel of life, I feel you have to look death and consumption in the eye and know there isn't one without the other.

Today when the organs spilled out of the first hog, I remembered a presentation at RCC I attended by Howard Vlieger, an Iowa farmer who became disillusioned by the promise of GM crops.  He not only found that GM crops weren't as productive as promised, he uncovered farmers whose livestock had ill effects after beginning GM feed programs (piglet deformities, spontaneous abortions, stomach and intestinal health issues.) He shared with us anecdotal evidence of the harm caused by GM feed consumption through scientific studies and pictures of stomachs of pigs raised eating GM feed.  The big take-away from his presentation (besides GM feed is bad for pigs) was the carry-over implications for humans, through direct consumption of GMOs and indirectly through consuming animals fed GMO feed.  If GM feed causes sickness and disease and death in farm animals, common sense tells us that humans might want to be cautious about swallowing the lies that GMOs are safe.

Below are pictures of our pig's stomach.  Notice how the tissue is pink and healthy.  There is no sign of inflammation or necrosis.

Here is a picture of the stomach of a pig that was fed GM feed (not ours!)  You can see the stark contrast.  Granted, we don't have all the details about this animal, but those who have done the study did.  To read more about Howared Vlieger and his findings, follow this link. And if you want to get your science-geek on, check out the study done by Dr.Judy Carmen.

There is a lot, I mean A LOT, of information out there on the science of GMOs being perfectly safe.  There is A LOT of money behind GMOs - as in billions of dollars in profits (for real).  We are skeptical about money-driven science and that is why we raise our family, animals and produce GMO free.  

Feed Your Soul

"Wow, life on a little farm seems so peaceful and perfect.  I wish I could figure out a way to do this."

I remember wanting to fill my cup up with a life full of spirit and joy and mindfulness rather than working day in and day out just to pay bills and afford vacations and the "fine life" that others could provide for me with goods and services.  The idea of starting a brand new life was overwhelming, so I understand that longing I hear in the voices of those who share this sentiment with me.

When asked for advice on how to create a sustainable life, I remind the person asking that we are still working on our solutions.  It's a never-ending process that starts with a desire and ends when you give up.  One foot in front of the other.  One change at a time.  You can not read a book in one glance.  There are pages and chapters to digest.

I believe that the biggest obstacle for change isn't fear or the learning curve but rather prioritizing.  Admitting that the things we fill our lives with are there because we picked them, for some reason, on some level, and then realizing we must prioritize which ones we want guiding us. I think a lot of happiness comes down to priorities and the vulnerability to admit what is most important to your well being.

Fighting Parasites In Poultry

Parasites.  Worms.  In the gut, in the lungs, in the gizzards.  Ewwwww.

Most factory-style farms have to feed their chickens a constant stream of antibiotics and chemical wormers because the animals are living in filth and in such close quarters that the birds cannot fight off invading parasites and infections without it.  And everyone has heard about antibiotic resistance and how that carries over to we humans by direct or indirect exposure to antibiotics and how pesticides are linked to ill-health, so I'll skip that lecture, except to say that we take that risk seriously and do not feed antibiotics or pesticides to our birds.

I could go on and on about the different types of worms and infections and such that chickens can get but I'm drinking my morning tea and would rather talk about the positive side of life-sucking forces.  And that is their death. DEATH TO PARASITES!!!

This morning I whipped up a batch of organic parasite control for our birds.  I always like this day because I know that if there are any lurking parasites or infections in our flock, they are about to meet their doom. Doom and death!  Not something you typically hear on a blog about organic farming, so I'll say it again. DOOM AND DEATH!!!

Our worming regiment is done every thirty days to be sure we're killing the various cycles of parasites and bacterial infections. We include ingredients known to fight infections and parasites naturally.

Over the course of three days, we keep their clean drinking water dosed with Oregano Oil.  Our girls have a 2 gallon water trough and we put 6 drops of Oregano Oil in it.

We feed the following recipe to 45 chickens for their AM feeding (when they are hungry and sure to gobble it up) for three days in a row (I stick all ingredients, besides the oats, in a Vitamix with two cups of water for easy blending.)

4 c. Cooked Oats
2 T. Cayenne Chili Powder
2 T. Turmeric
2 heads of Crushed Garlic
1 T. Cinnamon
1 c. Pumpkin Seeds 
1 c. Diatamaceous Earth
5 drops Oregano Oil
5 drops Clove oil
30 drops Wormwood Tincture

After the three days, we feed them the following recipe for another three days to replenish their systems and provide an extra healthy boost:

4 c. Cooked Oats
4  Carrots shredded
½ c. Brewers Yeast 
1 T. Pro-biotic Powder
1 C. Kelp meal
1 C. Kombucha (or Apple Cider Vinegar)
1 C. Mint leaves (or 7 drops essential oil)

In the off times, we alternate adding in apple cider vinegar and food grade hydrogen peroxide to their drinking water as it works to keep their gut healthy, and a healthy gut is less likely to fall prey to parasites and infections.  We also sprinkle Diatamaceous Earth in their chicken coop & nesting boxes after cleaning up their droppings each morning.  When we have an abundance of cucumbers and pumpkins, we let them gorge on the seeds freely, as the seeds help paralyze and expel parasites.

And now a picture of happy and healthy chickens to clear the palate...

Got Weeds?

We do!

A very effective, low maintenance, non-toxic and non-chemical way to rid an area of weeds is through soil solarization.  Not only do you fry the weeds, you also can control soil-borne pests and all without herbicides and pesticides. (I hear three cheers from our pollinators!)

The method involves heating the soil by covering it with a plastic tarp for 4 to 6 weeks during a hot period of the year when the soil will receive the most direct sunlight. The top 6 inches of the soil will heat up to as high as 140°F, depending on the location. The plastic sheets allow the sun’s radiant energy to be trapped in the soil, heating the top 12 to 18 inches and thus a killing machine for weeds, pathogens, nematodes, and insects.

Last year we converted a weed patch into a new growing space and since we did it late season, we didn't have time to solarize the dirt before planting and boy howdy we chased the weeds!!!  Our plastic is now down and we intend to leave it in place through mid-May.  Just in time to plant pumpkins!

So how does the farm stand work???

THE SKINNY...
The farm stand is self-serve and open 8am – 8pm, Monday – Sunday (excluding holidays/vacation time).  If you need something specific, call or email ahead and we'll get back to you if we're able to accommodate you.  Look on this home page for “WHAT'S FRESH” currently.

WHAT'S FOR SALE?
We sell items to walk-in customers and weekly through a CSA subscription.  The refrigerator marked “FARM STAND” and any fruits, herbs, veggies left on surrounding tables are available for walk-in purchase.  The other refrigerators are reserved for storage and for CSA customers. If an item has a name-tag on it, please do not purchase it.

HOW TO PAY?
We have an honor system here at the farm and you can use the change bowl to leave your payment and make change.  You can pay with a check if you leave your phone number on the check.  We believe in the good-neighbor principle.  :)

WHAT IF I CAN'T FIND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR?
If it's between 10am – 5pm, feel free to ring the dinner bell located by the backyard gate or holler out the back gate for one of us and if we're handy, we'll see if we can find extra in the garden for you.  (Please refrain from using the doorbell at the front of the house Monday – Thursday as Janell works from a home-office as a software consultant and is often on the phone with customers.)