Recently, I discovered an opportunity in nearby Salem to take part in a “pig-share”. For $450, one can purchase a share of a sow and receive two of her pigs the following year. The farm raises the pigs on pasture (they’re being raised on a 15-acre blackberry patch) and will deliver them to Mt. Angel Meats in April of next year for processing. The customer pays for processing at that time.
As I look at prices for local, pastured pork, I am finding this to be a really excellent deal (even with the driving I’ll need to do to pick up the meat!). Each pig will be no less than 200 pounds live weight, which could yield anywhere between 100 – 140 lbs of cuts, according to this handy chart.
We wanted to keep one pig ourselves, but didn’t think we could handle two, so I worked with two other friends who are going to each take half of the other pig.
Bernadine, of Fairy Godmother’s Garden, was a pleasure to work with while I decided if we would take part in this and rounded up some friends. When we last exchanged e-mails last Thursday, she let me know that there were three shares remaining.
(And if anyone thinks they might sign up for this, let me know and I can probably pick yours up for you too, since I’ll already be heading out there! Remember, you wouldn’t receive the pork until April, 2011.)
P.S. I kind of struggled with an image for this post. Cute little piglet? No, I am still a pretty big wimp about meeting my meals even though I love meat. I know, I know. I’m working on it.
