Hog Sky In Addition To The Sense Of Savor Of Karma-Lized Pork

Food Inc., I knew nigh such places, but at that spot was something eerie as well as ominous nigh driving past times thence many (there are over 8,000 CAFOs inwards Iowa alone) on the means to the Willis farm. By the way, if yous are into horizons, yous should genuinely conduct keep a motorbus trip across Iowa's apartment plains.

To country the Willis menage unit of measurement farm stands inwards second Hog Heaven as well as the Taste of Karma-lized Pork

When nosotros got to the farm, nosotros were greeted past times Paul Willis, the human being most responsible for Niman Ranch's thriving network of over 500 squealer farmers. Niman's motto is "Raised alongside Care," as well as later hearing Paul beak nigh his animals, his farm, as well as his mission, yous could tell this is much to a greater extent than than only an advertising slogan to him.

Before nosotros hitting the field, someone from Niman Ranch showed us roughly pork raised inwards a manufacturing industrial plant life farm (on the left) vs. pork raised nether their strict guidelines. As the photograph hither illustrates, pork is non suppose to live "the other white meat." Real pork is marbled alongside fat, has a beautiful pink/red hue, as well as trouble solid texture. Conventionally raised pork is pale, squishy, as well as almost devoid of the naturally flavorful fat. Hey, at to the lowest degree it's genuinely cheap.

Then nosotros got to run into the pigs, but non earlier beingness made to set on these clear plastic boots. I'm non certain why nosotros were all made to skid these on, but I assume it's roughly classify of odd Iowan fashion thing.

I form of liked the look, but I was amazed at how much my calves as well as ankles sweated. The expert word is my lower legs conduct keep never looked to a greater extent than toned.

After a curt walk through native grasses as well as alfalfa, nosotros were correct smack inwards the meat of Paul's 300 hogs, which could entirely live described every bit "happy." I know that may audio Pollyannaish, but that's just the vibe I got. Pigs are real intelligent animals, as well as quite emotive, as well as to spotter them frolicking around, and interacting alongside this large grouping of strangers, yous got the clear feel they were enjoying every infinitesimal of it.

I swear roughly were genuinely smile at me, although inwards fairness it could conduct keep been gas, but still. Some of the larger sows seem to gravitate towards the photographers similar attention starved, albeit overweight, Hollywood starlets.

In general, I'd conduct keep to country most of these pigs were just large hams. Wow, it took 11 paragraphs earlier I resorted to a bad pig pun. Not bad.

The stars of the exhibit were clearly the newly born piglets, roughly minor plenty to juggle (which I was asked to halt doing for fright of injury). They darted hither as well as there, disappearing inwards as well as out of the tall alfalfa. There's cute, as well as and then there's babe pig cute. Here's a real curt video I promise captures roughly of their adorableness.

So why are these hogs thence seemingly happy? Niman Ranch points to their strict protocols, which Paul Willis helped develop. The animals must live given plenty of room to graze, live fed entirely high-quality, vegetarian feed, as well as never live subjected to antibiotics or increment hormones. As Paul joked, his hogs genuinely entirely conduct keep ane bad day.

So your thinking, certain they're in all probability happier as well as healthier, but produce they gustation good? Oh yes, they do. After our tour, nosotros stripped off our plastic booties (which past times that fourth dimension I'd grown strangely fond of) as well as headed downwardly the route to the Willis' menage unit of measurement abode for an amazing whole squealer roast, consummate alongside a tabular array total of delicious nutrient prepared alongside obvious dearest as well as pride past times Paul's married adult woman Phyllis.

The scene was correct out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The sweetness olfactory belongings of manure, weathered barns, tall grasses bending inwards the breeze, cats bouncing, dogs begging, cocks crowing, as well as a hayride.

Here yous reckon me along alongside Paul, as well as 2 swain bloggers, Danielle from Bon Vivant, as well as Tina from Carrots 'N' Cake. The setting was thence perfect, as well as the characters thence authentic, nosotros iii joked that these must live actors brought inwards past times Niman Ranch for the weekend.

After a gorgeous sunset, nosotros headed dorsum to Des Moines, bellies total of pork, hearts total of joy inwards the noesis that people similar this genuinely produce yet exist, as well as that their numbers are growing. My sincerest thank yous to the Willis menage unit of measurement as well as Niman Ranch for an unforgettable experience.

The next eve nosotros enjoyed a wonderful repast at the twelfth Annual Farmer Appreciation Dinner, as well as I volition postal service a photograph recap of that tomorrow. Stay tuned!

All photos (c) John Mitzewich, except hayride photograph (c) Tina from Carrots 'N' Cake.

Disclosure: All travel, lodging, as well as nutrient on this trip were provided for past times Niman Ranch.