STAPLES FARM

Today marks the start of our summer planting, and this year we’re taking a new approach to the pig pasture. In the past, we relied on traditional tillage methods, even though we know that they harm beneficial microbes, disrupt soil structure, and deplete organic matter. This time, we minimized the tillage, focusing only on repairing the spots where the pigs had wallowed. Not only did it save time and fuel, but it also helped preserve our soil's health. We’re keen to observe how plants respond to this change. Our summer pig pasture mix is particularly diverse this year: Poso Millet, Foxtail Millet, Okra, Chicory, African Cabbage, Cowpeas, Forage Soybeans, Mung Beans, Sunn Hemp, Piper Sudangrass, Buckwheat, Sunflowers, Forage Collards, and a Cucurbit Blend. Each component was selected to support our regenerative farming philosophy. Legumes boost protein, grasses add fiber, forbs and brassicas contribute minerals and energy, while sunflowers and the cucurbit blend provide high-energy carbohydrates. We’re looking forward to observing how this blend thrives and how the pigs respond to it. Of course, not everything went as planned—rarely does it in farming. Our seed supplier mistakenly included the Cucurbit Blend in the small seed box mix. Since this blend contains squash, pumpkins, and gourds, we soon discovered that pumpkin seeds don’t fit through the small seed tubes of a Great Plains 1006NT planter. Some seeds were crushed; others clogged the tubes. We had to vacuum out the small seed box, separate the pumpkin seeds, and move them to the large seed box. After that, the rest of the two-acre field was planted smoothly. In a couple of weeks, we’ll plant another field to stagger growth and maximize forage quality. These fields should support the pigs until the fall pasture is ready—assuming we get some much-needed rain. -Leo PS: We’re also sowing this diverse blend in our wildlife areas. Left to grow throughout the summer, these plots will provide excellent grazing and, by late summer, produce a bounty of seeds, pods, and melons for our wildlife.

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