STAPLES FARM

Like on many farms, fuel for our vehicles, tractors, and other equipment is now a significant expense. Until recently, we relied on a 140-gallon diesel tank. To meet the fuel needs for our growing operation, we’re installing a 600-gallon tank. The last fill-up for the smaller tank cost $459, but yesterday it jumped to $629, a 37% increase. Soaring oil prices are driving up not only fuel costs but also the price of petroleum-based fertilizers. Urea (nitrogen) fertilizer, for example, is up $200 per ton. With razor-thin profit margins, many farmers are forced to take on more operational debt or shut down. Just this week, I eavesdropped on a conversation between older farmers about these difficulties. One said, “I guess we will keep farming until the banker says no.” It’s a bleak commentary on the precarious state of American agriculture. Shown below is the 2024 USDA breakdown of $1 in food sales by industry group. • Agribusiness, Crops, and Livestock $0.08 • Food Processing $0.16 • Transportation and Storage $0.04 • Food Wholesale $0.063 • Food Retail $0.14 • Food Services $0.39 • Energy $0.03 • Finance and Insurance $0.05 • Other $0.05 At the same time, farmers bear most of the risk due to production uncertainties, market prices, financial costs, uncertainties in government programs, and personal crises. As consumers, we have the power to change the current state of agriculture by buying directly from farmers and retail suppliers who pay them a fair price for their products. -Leo

I was fortunate enough to be able to take two of our newest pigs to Show and Tell this week. This was something my Grandma was able to do for her sons and I am honored to carry on. -Andi

We knew Snowy would go into labor soon, so last night Jon and Jessica checked on her regularly. When I peeked in at 4:30 a.m., she had already delivered two healthy piglets who were nursing contentedly, with a third on the way. In photo one, you can spot one of the babies nestled close to Snowy. When the next piglet arrived, I called the rest of the team for support. Jon and Jessica were first on the scene, followed closely by Andi. The girls took over the delivery process, handling everything with skill and care—as always, they did a fantastic job. Over the next several hours, as the rain came down steadily, more piglets were born. Photo two captures how we kept them warm and dry. At one point, I had eight tiny piglets tucked inside my jacket. These are the first babies sired by our big boar, Woody, and they are truly beautiful. We brought them inside until we could set up a heat lamp in the farrowing pen. In photo three, Jewel beams alongside our grandson Wyatt, who is already as smitten with baby pigs as his big brother Henry. Wishing mothers everywhere a joyful and memorable Mother’s Day. Ours at Staples Farm has been especially meaningful, filled with new life, family teamwork, and plenty of happy piglets. -Leo