STAPLES FARM

When we launched our pork operation in 2024, our goal was to assure customers that they were purchasing Berkshire pigs raised humanely on pasture. For transparency, we include those details on our meat package labels. In Oklahoma, if your processor is a State-inspected facility, the Food Safety Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry must approve the label. In our case, the Director of Meat and Poultry Inspection contacted us for documentation verifying that our pigs are indeed Berkshire and pasture-raised, as stated on our label. All the pigs on our farm are registered Berkshire, so we submitted registration papers for several animals. To substantiate our pasture-raised and Animal Welfare Approved claims, we submitted our Staples Farm Pig Operating & Health Plan, which details how our pigs are raised, including our rotational grazing system. This plan and our operations are audited annually by the A Greener World organization during a site audit. With this evidence, the State approved our label without any changes. Now, the USDA imposes even more rigorous labeling requirements. We were required to submit a certificate from the American Berkshire Association (ABA), photos of our pigs to confirm the Berkshire breed phenotype, ABA registration papers demonstrating traceability of the pigs' lineage through parents and grandparents, and a traceability affidavit supporting our Berkshire breed claim. Our processor also submitted a traceability affidavit for our pork from its arrival at their facility through distribution. Once approved, our USDA label will closely resemble our Oklahoma label. The State of Oklahoma, and, to an even greater extent, the USDA, take truth in labeling very seriously, as they should. Consumers should seek out farms with third-party certifications that validate claims about livestock breed, animal welfare, antibiotic-free status, diet, and living conditions. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission's Truth in Advertising standards apply to anything on our website, social media, and print materials. We are committed to transparency, not just in our labeling, but in every aspect of communication with our customers and the public. -Leo

Last fall, we began receiving requests from customers who wanted their butcher pigs processed at a USDA-inspected facility. After thorough research, we partnered with One Sixty Processing in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Like our other trusted processor, Country Home Meats in Edmond, both facilities are approved by A Greener World to process our pork. Now, our customers can choose the processing location that best meets their needs. We are excited to announce that, starting today, the Farmers Market Connection is offering Staples Farm pasture-raised Berkshire pork. This family-owned business, located at 10925 SE 59th Street in Oklahoma City, exclusively sells Oklahoma farm-raised eggs, meat, dairy, in-season vegetables, locally produced baked goods, and more. Their chefs prepare fresh, ready-to-go meals in their commercial kitchen every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. By shopping at stores like Farmers Market Connection, you help ensure that farmers receive a greater share of the retail value of their products by eliminating middleman costs associated with the vertically integrated industrial channels. -Leo

Earlier this week, we finished planting 3,600 pounds of oats, hoping they’ll make some great Spring hay. The pig pasture is thriving, but the other fields were in desperate need of rain. This afternoon, I was convinced the meteorologists were wrong again, and we’d stay dry. But around 4:30, the skies opened, and within just 15 minutes, we received an inch of much-needed rain. We’re grateful for the moisture and look forward to seeing the oats sprout soon. Our pigs are always entertaining, but this week brought a first: one stuck its tongue out at me! Apparently, our boar Woody isn’t a fan of having his picture taken. At over 500 pounds, he’s a gentle giant who loves attention. With any luck, we’ll welcome his first piglets in May. -Leo

On Tuesday evening, we loaded three pigs for processing the following morning. Two buyers had specifically requested their pigs be sent to a USDA-inspected facility. Back in December, I met with the owners of One Sixty Processing in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and was impressed by their modern facilities and commitment to humane animal handling. They readily agreed to an audit by A Greener World (AGW) and encouraged me to attend. As you may recall, our Animal Welfare Approved certification requires us to use processors that have passed an AGW site visit. USDA inspection also enables us to ship our meat nationwide. The pigs loaded into the trailer smoothly, and at the processor, they calmly walked out on their own. While waiting for our pigs' weights, I observed another individual struggle for half an hour to unload a single pig, creating considerable stress for the animal. According to the National Institute of Health, preslaughter stress is both an animal welfare and a meat quality issue (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6140870/#abstract1). One of many reasons we raise registered Berkshire pigs is that they don't have the stress gene HAL-1843. Additionally, our pasture-raised pigs are accustomed to regular movement between paddocks and weighing, making them easier to handle and less likely to become stressed. We now have only two butcher pigs remaining for sale. It is still too early to tell, but we hope to have three new litters arriving in late May, though they won't be ready for processing until late December or early January. If you're considering buying a half or whole butcher pig, I encourage you to act soon before these last ones are spoken for. Visit our products page (https://staplesfarmok.com/products) for ordering details, or reach out to us directly at [email protected]. -Leo

I made a quick trip to Ross Seed in El Reno this morning to pick up some forage oats and 4010 Spring forage peas. If all goes well, they will be in the ground by Saturday evening. We love supporting family-owned businesses like Ross Seed, which still believes in customer service. Please feel free to call Tom or Mason Ross if you have questions about your planting options or if you need seed. -Leo