We try to find a good use for every single inch of the farm (we’ll never make our goal of becoming biodynamic if we don’t)
For many years prior to the renovation of the Beekman Mansion, the land and barn was used to raise cattle, and on the eastern side of the barn stood a statuesque grain silo. The structure is long gone, but it’s 5 foot tall foundation remains.
For the two years that we’ve been on the farm, we’ve been using the structure as the world’s largest compost bin. Into it we chuck almost anything that’s biodegradable: table scraps, leaves, prisoners of our weed wars, and of course the “leftovers” of the rabbits, cows, chickens, turkeys and goats. It’s the darkest, richest, most worm-infested muck you can imagine.
But could we do something more? Could we find a dual purpose for the structure?
If necessity is not the mother of all invention, then surely Farmer John is.
When we started talking over the winter about raising pigs to supplement our diets (sorry, but we do love bacon–and don’t try to tell us you don’t), we were pondering about where we might keep them. The chateau d’goats is already fully occupied and was not really well-equipped for pigs.
Farmer John said that pigs like room to roam and like to be outside. Why don’t we put them in the silo?
It was pure genious.
Bess, our environmentalist pig
The Beekman pigs are eco-friendly. Pigs like to root around in the dirt looking for grubs and other tasty morsels. (We are hoping they find some truffles but are not really counting on it). As they make their way around the silo, they are constantly turning our compost pile for us. It’s a division of labor that everyone seems happy with.
Porky & Bess love their new home.
We created a nice little love nest using old shutters we salvaged from the hay loft. Every morning when I go out to feed them, Porky & Bess are curled up there together. Of course, they perk right up when I yell “soo-ey”—or when they hear their food hit the trough–I’m not quite sure which. I do know that no living thing has ever looked at me with such love in their eyes as Porky and Bess do come feeding time.
They must have gained at least 15lb just while I was typing this.
47 Comments
I LOVE them! Porky & Bess are perfect names for them!!!!
Count me in as a bacon lover… I know it’s not all that great for you, but who can resist?
The pigs are great additions! How many are making the farm home?
Hi, Kenn
We just have the two. We were only going to get one, but Farmer John said you needed two so that they would compete for food and eat more. Besides the bacon, I also hope to learn how to make prosciutto.
Hi, Dr. Brent. No, you needed two so they can keep each other company!
They are adorable and a great addition to the Beekman. Sheesh, now I not only have to worry about the fate of the turkeys, but also the pigs. Just look at those BEAUTIFUL faces. *sigh*
“Don’t get too attached”, he says — and yet he posts photos. Oh PLEEEASE, if I find a convincing recipe for mock bacon, would you keep them and let me stay on as pigmistress? (Wow, and who’da thunk I’d be able to recycle THAT name from sixth grade?) I’ll wear my hair in little pigtails, and overalls, and a red-and-white checkered shirt, and..and…can you see how into this I am? Have mercy!
If you could find a convincing recipe for mock bacon, the world would fall at your feet!
Hi, Kim
Hmmm. It would have to be a pretty convincing mock bacon AND you’d have to be a pretty convincing pig mistress
Charlotte’s Web all over again! Can’t you just eat oatmeal? It’s much healthier for you and the pigs!
Oh, Pam
Charlotte’s Web was the first book I ever cried to. I do try to eat plenty of oatmeal, but can’t say I don’t occasionally crave bacon (or ham, or sausage, or tenderloin…)
At least I know exactly where it came from and that they had a wonderful life. Since I’m not a vegetarian, it seemed like the most humane thing I could do
So I was the quiet lurker until Wilburs life was at stake, ok how about you wait til the local supermarket has a sale then you go buy the bacon, seems fair since someone already was a martyr for it— why not recycle whats already there into your frying pan and let Bess and Porky keep looking all so cute at each other, it’s like having a movie about Bambi and picking out Bambi to be the Venison dish for the dinner the next evening.. **sob sob, wiping tears** please don’t…. blinks back more tears from shiney blue eyes, and the tears flow over freckle face… PLeasssseeeee don’t take their livessss…..
Hi Patti
That was ALMOST convincing enough
They’re adorable. I can’t wait to meet them in person.
They’ll be here waiting for you, Sandy
they’re so cute (in a messy-pig sort of way)!
I’ve been falling behind on the blogging since I moved – but I thought of you guys the other day when I had goat milk ricotta. It was heavenly.
Hi, Tony
Yes. We have missed you and your inspiration! Ricotta? That’s nothing. I just had the first taste of our aged goat cheese which will be for sale later this year. It will make your mouth water. Hope you are well
Great looking little hogs! I have been a non-meat eater a few times in my life, still not into beef or pork, but I do appreciate your statement about bacon…..how’d they get us to crave that stuff so much?
Yes on the bacon! You also have some of the funnest farm animals there are!
Hi, I just discovered you through a feature on AOL and now I can’t get enough!
A question…when you do make the bacon, may I purchase the ears for my dogs? They love them like we love bacon…
Also, just a comment. This is a wonderful blog but the black-on-dark-gray is kind of hard to read. Any thoughts on that?
Keep doing what you do, this is wonderful…I think I want to try that soap!
When I was growing up on the farm we always
named our pigs for there main purpose.Such
as pork chop, bacon, spare rib. So that you knew there what was going to happen in the end. keep up the good work
Isn’t it nice to know that with all the challenging stuff happening everywhere, YOU are shown how loved and really appreciated you are every day. Are you hoping for Porky-Bessitas to come along?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your beautiful home and farm. As an ethical vegetarian, however, it broke my heart to read in the Animal section that Porky and Bess, who look at you with love in their eyes (routine for pigs who have deep emotional connections with humans and other animals), are destined to become bacon on your over-flowing table. With the bounty of vegetables grown on your farm to sustain you, it would be ever so lovely if you could find compassion in your hearts toward defenseless animals. Pigs and cows and chickens are not any different than dogs and cats and parrots – they just don’t reside in the house.
MY dearly departed Aunt Mary loved to raise white face steer. Each and every one of them was named “Butchy”. When Aunt Mary felt it was nigh on to butchering time, she would place the call to her friendly meat market, let them know and they , in turn, would do the deed then replace the steer with a new calf! The cycle started again….none of us kids any the wiser….maybe that would be a great way to replenish your “bacon”?
The wife and I raised one and it’s name was blossome. Boy did she taste good
Dear putative pig farmers,
You know what they say – never give them names. I love bacon, and I love steak, and I do eat it, but if I had to be the one to kill them, they would live forever and I’d just eat chicken and fish (and maybe not even the chicken).
But seriously. You have a wonderful farm and I envy you. I have a tiny little piece of ground at my mother’s house in Queens where I grow cucumbers, eggplant, and tomatoes. Your farm is beautiful, and I love the way you did the rooms – especially the long hall which is a little scary-perfect. Now – what about horses? You don’t have to ride them – some are just pasture decoration. There are a couple of places near you that have beautiful horses needing homes…what do you think?
Loved your site and your beautiful and impressive farm and business. Good luck with your adoring public in the raising animals for food department. The same people who eat the bacon will condemn you for creating it. From experience I’d recommend “Breakfast” and “Lunch” as names – you get less attached come the inevitable bacon making time.
Thanks, Bill
This is our first year with the pigs. We’ll see how it goes. Stay tuned
Hi, Ronnie
Be careful. We started as city farmer, too!
Hi, Kathie
An excellent idea
Hi, Terri
Your argument was passionate and well-made. Thank you. Oh, if only I could commit to being a vegetarian!
What a nice note, Marianne
The ears, Cyn? That sounds so strange!
Sorry about the color issue. There was a problem with the site today. We hope to have it back to our normal color scheme soon
Dr. Brent – you CAN and SHOULD commit to being a vegetarian. Begin your first step by visiting farmsanctuary.org to see animals who have been given a release from impending death. Learn about compassion toward all living creatures. Pigs are some of the most intelligent animals on earth. They want to live and be happy the same as your dog or cat does. There is no meat that tastes as good as compassion feels. And btw they do make superb fake bacon now – I use it in cooking and to make FLT’s (facon, lettuce and tomato). You give up nothing to become a vegetarian but GAIN everything in not submitting to the cycle of murder. Humans are more intelligent than this and we have the bounty of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and grains put here to sustain us. You should know this better than anyone by growing so much of what you eat. Do the right thing and send those poor creatures to Farm Sanctuary. You know they may be only “dumb” animals but they wouldn’t EAT you.
Hi Dr Brent,
The site looks much better today, much easier to read! Yay!
Yes, pigs’ ears (also the snouts, and probably some other bits as well) are commonly sold as treats for dogs. Our two just LOVE them! If you do end up eating these pigs (and good luck with that, since it seems you’re already fond of them!), it’s a great way to make sure that nothing goes to waste.
Hi Dr. Brent, You have a nice little read here and I always enjoy farm pictures. I was actually looking for info on your goats as I also raise nubians (and boers). I’d like to say I support you whole heartedly in your endeavour to raise pigs for slaughter. I get a lot of strange looks and comments as well when I tell people we eat our animals. I too take solace in knowing that I give my animal a good life, keeping them clean, happy, and healthy, and when the time comes that they are killed humanely. Knowing what’s in my meat and the superior quality is also another reason to take on growing your own. I would like to encourage your readers to consider that not all animals are breeding quality stock and in hard econimc times such as this ‘pet’ livestock can often be neglected,which in my book is worse than being eaten.
PS Do you have any information about your goats on your website? =)
Hi, Dawn
I’m glad I have a supporter!! Look in the “animal” section of our website. We have a couple of articles about the goats. Do you have a specific question? I could ask Farmer John for you.
speaking of bacon, shared a link from one of my favorites… Caprial and John’s Kitchen.
http://vimeo.com/6402461
Love you website..
Pigs are as intelligent than dogs. Although they love to dig, they are very clean animals. Please do not eat your very good and trusting friends, Porky and Bess.
Check out: http://www.peaceablekingdomfilm.org/
“Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home” wins
Best Feature Documentary Award at Moondance!
Since you are involved in such a wonderful endeavor…you will appreciate this documentary film by a well known film maker…it is a life changing view as it includes long time farm families as well…
It is truly life changing…you will appreciate the film…very well done!
It’s sad that the taste of meat is the only thing that stops some humans from killing animals. I don’t think it gets much more selfish than that. When you hear your pigs squealing out in fear & pain when they are about to get the axe, good luck with your conscience, or are you going to hire someone else to do it? How could you eat your friends? They’re like your pets. They love and trust you and you’re going to turn on them like that?! Oooh we’re having Sparky for dinner. Yummy! Hmmmm, what would Albert Einstein say…”Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. “
Hi, Alexis
You make some very good points. We love all of the animals at Beekman Farm and give them as good a life as possible.
Just wanted to let you know that you actually DO have support from some of us out here. I have no doubt that when or if you do decide to proceed as planned, you will do so very humanely. Keep doing what you do; you are both terrific!
Hope you’re having a happy day! :0)
Hi, Cyn
Thanks! We value everyone’s opinion and can definitely see both sides of the argument and are happy that we have a forum in which all people feel comfortable sharing their ideas. When we decided to devote our lives to the farm and to being as self-sufficient as possible, we knew that there would be some tough decisions. Not every part of “farm life” is as pretty or as pleasant as we would like
We raise our own goat milk, pork and my mom delivers me fresh beef from the ranch that are grass raised naturally. If you have ever had home raised pork that drank goats milk you would never ever be able to eat store bought again. Our current pig is being finished on goat milk, some alfalfa apples that fell on the ground, I can’t wait to see how yummy she will taste. She has been on this diet for about a month to finish her. We also make our own goat milk soap, herbal remedies and homeschool our lovely children
The folks that want you to keep your pigs forever have probably never seen 1000 pound pig that has reached maturity, or never been chased by such an animal. Keep up the good natural process
Thanks, Kila
Yes, the pigs were huge. (But still beautifiul).
I sat next to a couple in a coffee shop in San Francisco, and their little dog was SO well mannered, sitting under the table. When they got up to leave, I saw it was a tiny pig, with a sparkly collar. Her name was Rosie. Well, she was an absolute DOLL! She was a miniature some sort of cute girl, they said she would not gfet very big and was smarter than any animal they had owned!! GO ROSIE!!! I imagine a whole row of Rosies doing A Chorus Line! 5 6 7 8!!!
I have seen those potbelly pigs–that is their official name. They are called miniature, but when compared to what? My daughters friend has one in her kitchen totally paper trained, it weighs 300 pounds compared to the 1000 pounds of a regular pig. This woman’s house smells awful, and she has room deodorizers everywhere, this one was probably a baby. Yes pigs can be very intelligent compared to a sheep.
i bet if you cooked bacon within snout-distance of Porky & Bess, they would want a taste of it. Bacon’s awesome and we’re the top of the food chain.
But if you really want to show them the best possible life ever, maybe you should see if they indeed like bacon? i mean i’ve never met a dog, cat or non-veg person who doesn’t. why wouldn’t they?