Pastured Pork

We are sold out of pork for the remainder of 2009. Check back with us in late fall for info on 2010 hogs

Our pigs live low-stress lives enjoying the freedom to exercise a full range of their normal behaviors including rooting, scratching, preening, wallowing, and taking sunbaths. They will also turn the soil hunting for roots and trace minerals, and helping to improve the pastures that nurture them. Unlike sheep, cattle and other grazers, pigs can’t survive on pasture grass alone - so ours have free access to whole corn and soybean meal (antibiotic and hormone free). In the growing season, our pigs also eat fresh greens from the pasture and the weeds gleaned from our vegetable gardens.

We have chosen the best blend of heritage and modern breeding pigs for this pastured life. These pigs bring the great baconator heartiness and red flop ears of the Duroc to the long-loin, fast growing Lancaster to produce a cross with the best of both worlds. Since they’re red or dark brown, these pigs tan in the Arkansas summer sun (unlike pink factory pigs), produce the copious bacon and pork chops that we all love, and grow, grow, grow.

Because of the opportunity to exercise in the fresh air, the meat produced by these contented pigs has a more rosy color than the pork many people find in the grocery store. In all other respects, it is behaves in the kitchen just like other pork, except of course for the healthy, succulent flavor. Also, because our pigs live out of doors and on pasture, our pork is rich with natural antioxidants from forages and sunlight.

Prices

Pork is available as whole and half animals, priced by the live pound, as part of the meat baskets, or by the pound at the Certified Arkansas Farmers’ Market in North Little Rock on Saturdays starting in July.

• Whole hog - $2.00/lb (based on live weight)
• Half hog - $2.25/lb (based on live weight)
• Retail cuts - $3.50-14.00/lb

Ordering

To order lean, flavorful, homegrown pork call Katie: (501) 215-0419 or email katie@farmgirlfood.com

Each half or whole hog order includes 60-130 lbs of meat, (depending on the size of the animal and the butchering options that you choose), butchering to your specifications, smoking of hams and bacons, and a recipe card to get you started.

• Shoulder: can be roasts, steaks, country ribs, or ground for sausage
• Loin: pork chops or loin roast
• Hams: whole hams (smoked or fresh) or steaks
• Ground: can be seasoned to your level of spiciness for a loose sausage