The Rodale Institute Organic Hog Facility opened in 2015 as a scalable model for farmers who want to begin similar pastured pork projects. In this innovative facility, we demonstrate how to increase hog production quantity while reducing labor and still maintaining a high quality of life for the animal.
Our hogs have 24/7 access to the large outdoor pastures through openings on the sides of each stall. Outside are eight acres of land, half of which is marginal, that is planted with crops like peas, oats, and grasses so hogs can forage for a diverse diet. Planting seed reduces the amount of grain we feed the hogs, so feed cost is kept low.
All of our hogs are heritage breeds, or traditional livestock breeds whose descent can be tracked to their forefathers. These historic breeds were once raised on farms and have, over time, developed qualities very different from hogs found in modern industrial agriculture. Traits include a unique ability to thrive on pasture, forage, resist certain diseases and parasites, and mate naturally. Unfortunately, these important breeds are now in decline.
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