While this topic may get your goat, I am still boldly going whole hog on the matter. I feel the importance of the issue justifies it, although perhaps not the use of my puns! The issue at hand being that most of the meat consumed in the US is factory farmed in confinements, not only leading to a number of environmental negatives, but also inhumane conditions for the livestock as well. While much has been reported on these points already, I will not regurgitate the facts and figures. However, when observed in detail, especially up close and personal, it is enough to make you lose your lunch, or at least your appetite. These industrial agriculture livestock practices largely result from a mindset that reduces the animal to its end products; whether meat, eggs, milk, or whatever other commodity is being produced for the market.

I would like to offer up a fresh perspective based on permaculture, where we assess all aspects of our livestock; their needs, yields, and unique characteristics, and then set to the task of designing a system where intentional connections between the animal, its environment and other livestock or waste streams are made to the benefit of all. To illustrate this concept, we will look at the current system in use here at ABC acres with our pigs and goats to convert old, degraded horse pasture into perennial grazing and forage system for the aforementioned animals.

Pigs love to root, and they happily oink the day away as they work for us, eating the grasses and their roots while they turn over the soil and loosen it for us. They are great employees for ABC acres; they have cheerful attitudes while they do their job, and we pay them in some organic grain and food scraps, clean drinking water, lightweight mobile shelter, and cooling mud wallows when weather dictates the need, which they happily accept as payment for their efforts. As a side note, we do not make a habit out of allowing overgrazing or soil to be made bare for several reasons, but in this case, it performs a useful function for us. After the pigs have moved onto their next pasture plowing project, we come into the thoroughly worked over ground for some light raking and hand broadcasting of a diverse seed mix that has feed value for both our pig and goat work crews.

Not to be outdone by the pigs and their work ethic, the goats set to their tasks with nearly equal vigor and enthusiasm of their porky counterparts. They set about following their methodically placed bale grazing hay rations both AM and PM, and in doing so, accomplish much for the system they are currently employed by. Their pointy, narrow hooves skillfully step in the broadcasted seed, making up for our seemingly lazy involvement in the whole enterprise. Then, taking it a step further, they fertilize the soil with their spread out manure and urine, priming the pasture and its new introduction of seeds for quick germination and lush growth in the coming weeks. They also practice the permaculture ethic of fair share, leaving hay residue behind to mulch in the seed and protect the ground with what they thoughtfully leave behind. In return they earn their own species-appropriate compensation package from ABC acres.

Observing and interacting with all of this rewards us, the designers and managers of the multi-species workplace as well. Their is a deep fulfillment in partnering with our fellow members of Creation, while providing a life on the farm in which our livestock are able to live out a rich expression of the way they were made to live. I have also come to realize that in engaging in this permaculture way of farming and life, I am also living out a fuller expression of the life I was meant for. It seems to me that providing pigs with a profession, or giving goats good work to do also offers us the opportunity for enriching employment.

Blessings,

Grant