STAPLES FARM

Friday evening Bed Check, and all the pigs and sheep are enjoying the cooler weather. During the quiet time at the end of the day, animals are generally more settled, making it easier to catch health or injury issues before they get out of hand. As we moved into winter, we used this final check of the day to make sure the shelters were full of hay, and the animals had water. Tonight, I snapped a photo of what I believe is a Spotted Orb-weaver spider, now making its home near one of the pig paddocks. These remarkable spiders are valuable allies on the farm by helping control mosquitoes, flies, and moths. Best of all, they pose no harm to humans and quietly contribute to the balance of our ecosystem. -Leo #agreenerworld, #ecdysisfoundation, #FACEAgNetwork

By participating in the Ecdysis Foundation’s Project Avalanche, we’re able to track the health of our farm’s entire ecosystem in real time. As an added benefit, Ecdysis is conducting meat nutrient density testing to determine if more biodiverse farming practices yield food with greater nutritional value. This Monday, we’ll be sending a 1 ¼” Berkshire pork chop overnight to Ecdysis for analysis. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: 100% Berkshire pork isn’t just another white meat. Our pigs are raised without daily doses of antibiotics, growth hormones, or performance-enhancing feed additives. The result is pork with a deep red color, a bold pork flavor, and higher levels of Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Omega-3 fatty acids compared to confinement-raised pork. Good or bad, I’ll share the nutrient-density test results as soon as they’re available. If you want to be sure you’re getting genuine Berkshire pork, check our USDA-approved label. It reads “Pasture-Raised Berkshire Pork.” This designation was granted only after a thorough review of our registration papers and our Animal Welfare Approved certification from A Greener World. When you buy from us, or one of the companies that stock our pork, you know your farmer, and you know your food. -Leo #ecdysisfoundation, #agreenerworld

Our 2 Year Berkshire Boar, Woody (BTC 4 Purdy 19-2 Reg#aba 196967002)

Most agricultural work is unseen by the consumers. Late nights too often lead to early mornings, followed by long days. So, why do farmers and ranchers do it? Our reward comes from having a front-row seat to nature’s cycles up close and forming a deep connection with the animals we care for. Those quiet moments watching new life emerge, seeing our livestock thrive, and witnessing how regenerative practice restores the land are the true rewards of this life. -Leo

Sorry for the quiet week. Between our trip to the National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota, and the sweltering heat when we got back, it was tough to find time for updates. Every evening, one of our team heads out for what I like to call a “bed check”, a nightly round after dark to make sure all the animals are safe and settled. It’s remarkable what you can notice at night if you’re paying attention. Tonight, I spotted this female Wolf spider in the gilt paddock. If you look closely, you’ll notice hundreds of tiny spiderlings clinging to her back. With the exception of fiddlebacks (Brown Recluse) and Black Widows, we never kill spiders on the farm. Insects and arachnids are essential to a thriving ecosystem. Wolf spiders, for instance, are hardworking predators that patrol the ground at night, keeping populations of roaches, ants, and crickets in check. Both web-spinning and ground-dwelling spiders serve important purposes, working through the night to help reduce pests that threaten crops, livestock, and people. As Dr. Jonathan Lundgren of the Ecdysis Foundation points out, farms rich in invertebrate diversity, including spiders, experience the least crop damage. So next time you’re tempted to squash a spider, remember how valuable they are to the farm and the balance of nature. -Leo #EcdysisFoundation