What makes Woodland Pork special?
posted on
March 25, 2021
Good morning!
Today I'll show you how we raise Woodland / Pastured Pigs to bring you the highest quality pork possible.
First you need to see a 1 minute video I shot out in the pig pasture on Rodrick's Amen Acres Farm. It's the best way to visualize what we are talking about here. :)
Many people know all the good stuff about Grass-fed Beef and truly Pastured Chicken, but Woodland Pork is often underrated.
In reality, the benefits of Woodland Pork are just as profound when compared to Industrial Pork.
"Why are Woodland / Pastured pigs special?"
Let's take a look at the stark contrast in their environment.
Pasture pigs thrive outside in the fresh grass and sunshine the way pigs were created to live – the way pigs have lived for all of history until men came up with the "bright idea" of packing them into dark CAFO confinement barns.
See the difference below...
No crowded, enclosed barn on our farm!
Of course it takes a lot of work to raise pigs like this on pasture or woodland, but the results are definitely worth it – Happy pigs out enjoying nature with PLENTY of space to walk or run as they wish.
"Ok, so what do these Woodland Pigs eat?"
This one is very important since a pig's diet varies so much from farm to farm. On a conventional CAFO farm, pigs eat GMO feeds laden with antibiotics and artificial growth stimulants... whatever makes them grow the fastest and cheapest.
We are totally opposite from that industrial system.
Our Woodland Pigs dig up roots with their snouts, forage for acorns under the oak trees or graze grass in the pastures.
But as you know, pigs are omnivores, not herbivores... So they do need more than just grass/forage. The rest of their diet is made up of SOY-FREE and GMO-FREE grains.
"Is Woodland Pork better quality since you're raising the pigs outside or does it just make the pigs happier?"
Both! It's a win-win for everyone... :)
Raising pigs in the woods and on pasture not only creates a much better life for the pig. It is also better for the environment, and definitely makes a better meal for you.
Studies show that meat from pigs on pasture has 3-4x higher levels of omega-3s and roughly 2x more Vitamin D & E.
Also, we're told that pastured pigs have about 74% more selenium than pigs raised on factory farms. Selenium needs Vitamin E to work as antioxidant, which makes pork such an amazing food since it has both. Antioxidants like selenium help fight free radicals. Selenium also plays a role in thyroid function, which is specifically related to the immune system.
Pretty amazing.
But then again, why shouldn't Woodland Pork be remarkably better? That is the way God created animals to be raised – outdoors with plenty of fresh grass and sunshine!
When we follow God's plan, the result is always high quality, healthy food that your family can trust.
And last but not least, you can taste the difference!
Thank-you for supporting us in regenerative agriculture. You are without a doubt the most important player in this game. Never underestimate the tremendous power of food choices. You do make a difference! There is strength in grocery shopping!
Working together... and only working together, we can heal our soil health, our personal health, our quality of life, the quality of our animals' lives, plus the social fabric of our communities... one bite at a time.
All the best,
Wesley
~5th generation on the farm
God Designed it... We Respect it... That Explains it!
