I certainly don’t need to recap 2020 for you.

We both agree it was a year to remember - let’s leave it at that. There has been a lot of excitement regarding 2021 and how it’s going to be a better year and in many aspects, I really hope so.

Do you set resolutions with the start of a new year? Me, not so much.

Now, I do reflect on the year past and try to recall as much of it as possible - I like to hold onto memories, good and bad. So much can be learned from them… so much growth can come from them… so where I may not set a resolution, I do challenge myself to grow in some way every year. Nothing difficult though - it’s no fun when the challenge is unrealistic or hard for that matter.

And after the year we had, I think something easy is just the thing!

So what if I told you I have a very simple challenge for you? What if I then told you that, if you decide to take on this challenge, you will impact your health, your community and the environment?

You won’t believe how simple this is going to be!

I would like to challenge you this year to make one simple decision. A decision that can change so much with little to no effort on your part.

That challenge is… to no longer buy conventional pork… buy pasture-raised pork from a local farmer.

Here are the reasons why…

Pasture-raised Pork is Better for Your Health

The truth is there is little benefit to consuming conventionally grown pork compared to that raised on a pasture. Here are some health benefits which are reported being higher in pasture-raised pork.

Omega 6:3 ratio is closer to ideal which may reduce your risk of cancer and heart attack. It may even lessen your likelihood of depression, ADHD and Alzheimer’s.
- Data from a study Practical Farmers of Iowa conducted show the ratio of omega 6:3 being 9.88 for pastured-raised pork compared to 29.40 for conventional (store bought) pork. This is a huge difference!
Vitamin E content is higher: an antioxidant which is linked to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, immune disorders, Parkinsons and even cancer.
Selenium: Pasture raised pork has 74% more selenium than pork raised conventionally. Selenium needs Vitamin E to work as antioxidant, which makes pork such an amazing food because it has both! Our bodies cannot make Selenium on it’s own and needs it from outside resources - it helps fight cancer and other diseases, along with keeping your joints, heart and immune system healthy. It also plays a role in the function of our thyroid.
Vitamin D content is much higher: Many Americans are deficient in vitamin D (especially us in Ohio), which is essential for your immune system and is required for your body to absorb calcium and phosphorus which makes strong bones.

This results in a product full of nutrients compared to pork raised conventionally.

Pasture-raised Pork is Better for Your Local Economy

You hear it often… ‘Shop local!’ ‘Support our local businesses!’ And it’s with good reason!

There is a chain reaction that you probably didn’t realize. Take our farm for example.

We purchase our pigs from a young local farmer. Our NON-GMO feed is custom grown, roasted, ground and supplied to us from a local family. We utilize local processors to prepare the meat your purchase, and we support local businesses and restaurants with our products. On average with a single purchase of our pork, YOU are actually supporting 5 local/family businesses!

This results in a product full of strong connections to the community compared to pork raised conventionally.

Pasture-raised Pork is Better for Public Health

Animals raised in conventional operations do not enjoy the kind of life that contributes to resilient, healthy animals. They live in confined spaces. They lack room to exercise, clean air, a natural and species-appropriate diet; moreover, they’re raised in extremely crowded conditions that can create disease.

They’re often given antibiotics routinely and without clear need, such as infection, resulting in over medicating, contributing to the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Pigs rotated regularly on pasture actually build up soil improving grass quality. With their natural tilling ability using their nose - they naturally compost their own waste.

Waste in a commercial operation has to be physically removed by trucks which have been known to spill, contaminating area water supplies.

This results in a healthy community compared to pork raised conventionally.

Pasture-raised Pork is Better for the Land and the Environment

He says it best… “Grasslands are literally the lungs of the earth, and restoring them with animals is not only necessary, but it's the most efficacious way to restore water cycles and the carbon cycle. Right now, nothing else comes close to remediating broken ecological systems as quickly or completely as restoring large herds of grazing animals through holistic, or long-term, management.” ~Joel Salatin

The built up soil and improved quality of grass from rotating pigs on pasture helps prevent water runoff and contributes to habits for all sorts of animals.

A huge benefit of pasture-raising is it’s affect on removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It has been found to be more effective than any land use, including forestland and un-grazed prairie, helping to slow global warming.

This results in a better future for our world compared to pork raised conventionally.

I am so proud of you!

Deciding to purchase pasture-raised pork certainly has a wide reach of impact. It has an impact on your own body, the community you live in and the future of the environment for your family.

So, are you ready to take my challenge and switch from conventional to pasture-raised pork? We’d love to have you out to our farm! We’re located in Rushville Ohio.

Click here to learn more and order your pasture-raised pork.

We hope to see you at the farm soon!

Peace & Grace,

Gina

Making this simple decision will impact your health, your community and the environment…