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The Big Pig Marketing Push!

by on April 28, 2018

Let me make a very long story very short for you. About this time one year ago I was in super duper planning mode to get Crooked Gap Farm pork into a local colleges dining services. They had an awesome director that loved our pork and supporting local foods and we were gearing up to provide at least one whole hog (use they were taking the whole thing) per week throughout the school year. Then things changed …

I had purchased extra feeder pigs to prepare for the additional demand. I had started to make the processing schedule. And, I was really excited about the possibilities. Things didn’t go as planned though, not even close to as planned! The director moved on from that position and the new director still loved our pork, but was more concerned with the bottom line than the percentage of local food they were using.

That was a blow! I had spent some money on extra feeder pigs. I had been raising them and feeding them. But, now I did not have a market for them. Because of this I have been scrambling to sell pigs for the last few months, and even processing some pigs at a higher weight than I am used to. This has taken some creativity, focus, and lots of e-mailing/communication!

The bad news: I still haven’t sold through the extra pigs that I had purchased (not that I still have those exact pigs, but rather I have just had more pigs than I’m used to selling through my typical channels so some have hung around a little longer). We have also had to be a little more creative with the cut selections we make on the larger hogs.

The good news: The extra pigs has really made me focus more on selling whole/half hogs. Because we believe that is the most sustainable (emotionally, spiritually, physically, economically, etc.) way to sell pork for our farm this unfortunate experience may end up with a few good positives to take away.

If you’re out there listening (or reading I should say), I would love to hear your thoughts on marketing whole/half hogs. What have you done to expand that part of your market? How do you encourage people to go that direction? Do you even like that method of selling more than selling individual cuts?

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What Will Happen if I Just Start Farm Blogging Again?

by on April 28, 2018

September 23, 2006. That was 4,235 days ago. That was 11 years, 7 months, and 5 days ago. That was a Saturday. That was the day that “The Beginning Farmer” blog began. And now, all of this time later, there are 1,002 blog posts (including this post). I don’t even have words for that …

On that fateful Saturday I was just about 2 years from actually farming on what would become Stoneyfield Farm (named for John Adams’ farm and not the yogurt folks), and then eventually Crooked Gap Farm. I began the blog by posing the questions that I hoped to answer for myself. Things like:

  • How much capital will it take to get started?
  • How much cash-flow will be needed, and where will it come from as we start?
  • How much can I expect to make with certain crops or livestock?
  • And, how and to whom will I do all of my marketing?

I also made crazy statements like this one, “I am not looking for a hobby, rather I’m looking at farming as a full-time job.” In case you don’t know what’s going on in my life right now let me just say that I am not a full-time job farmer … although I am a farmer with a job! In fact if you are scoring at home: In 2006 we had 2 children and now we have 6. In 2006 I was a youth pastor and now I’m the pastor of a different church in the same town. In 2006 I had a lot of questions, not many answers, and I thought I knew some stuff … now in 2018 I still have a lot of questions, I still have not many answers, and I know that I really don’t know that much!

All of that is to say this … 4,235 days later we are still here! I am still farming and I still consider myself a “Beginning Farmer”, and I’m okay with that!

April 28th, 2018. That is today, another Saturday, and that is the day when “The Beginning Farmer” begins Act II. In fact, I would say that this day is as good as any to declare “Act II” of Crooked Gap Farm! There is a transition happening on the farm. Not that I am moving from a “Beginning Farmer” to an “Experienced Farmer”. Not that we are making big shifts in what the farm is about. Really there is nothing major changing other than the continued refining that has been going on all along.

The reason I’m declaring Act II for “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm is because it is time to refocus, reevaluate, redo, rejuvenate, re … everything! I would say the first seven or eight years of the farm were focused chaos. The last three or four years have been unfocus wild chaos! Now it is time for FOCUSED EFFICIENCY at Crooked Gap Farm (and by extension “The Beginning Farmer”)!!!

Do you want to come along for the ride? I’m going to try to bring anyone along that wants to come along. Then maybe there will be another blog post 4,235 days from now.

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TBF 148 :: Hello Again, Farm Updates, and a Hard Lesson Learned

by on September 5, 2017

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!

What can I say? It has been a day or two since the last episode of the podcast was released and there has been a thing or two that has happened. On the other hand there is very much on the farm that is the same as it was 12 months ago. But, since it is the first episode in what we will call, “quite some time”, I thought it would be best if I spent some time sharing some updates from the farm! That means episode is all about the livestock on the farm … how they’ve been handling the summer, what I’ve been doing with them, and whether or not we still have a farm period! Hopefully you enjoy the show!

Do You Want to Know More about My Cool New Boots?

These days I’m rocking LaCrosse Brand Alpha Range Boots (that’s the link to the LaCrosse website) … you can even pick them up on Amazon (affiliate link)! They are by far the most comfortable mud boots that I have ever owned. I love the gusseted back because I like to tuck my insulated bibs into the boots, and did I mention the are super comfortable! Check out the links if you are looking for some good boots this winter, and I’ll share more as I see how they stand up to to the life of an Iowa pig farmer.

Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.

If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …

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TBF 147 :: The Not How To Episode, Other News, and a Hard Lesson Learned

by on December 14, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!

tbfconcreteIt is story time! Plans were made, forms were formed, rock was moved, compactors were used, rain came, snow came, everything became muddy, even more rock was moved, concrete was poured, and in the middle of the night the concrete was covered with plastic/tarps/straw. Actually it sounds pretty easy when it is summed up in one long run-on sentence! Honestly though, it was a big week on the farm to get everything ready for concrete and then eventually for the pour. And while there is still plenty of work to do in order to get everything finalized I thought it would would be fun to share the story of the big cement project. The most important thing though is to recognize the awesome help that I had! None of this would have happened without my wife, my uncle, my cousin, and my neighbors … so, sit back and enjoy (I hope) the story.

Do You Want to Know More about My Cool New Boots?

These days I’m rocking LaCrosse Brand Alpha Range Boots (that’s the link to the LaCrosse website) … you can even pick them up on Amazon (affiliate link)! They are by far the most comfortable mud boots that I have ever owned. I love the gusseted back because I like to tuck my insulated bibs into the boots, and did I mention the are super comfortable! Check out the links if you are looking for some good boots this winter, and I’ll share more as I see how they stand up to to the life of an Iowa pig farmer.

Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.

If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …

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TBF 146 :: Gifts for Farmers, Now What’s Happening, and the Family

by on December 1, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!

farmtasticWith Christmas coming up before we know it (and possibly putting an end to my concrete dreams) I thought it would be good to share my Top Ten Gifts for the farmer or aspiring farmer on your list. I’ve tried to diversify the list a bit with some tools I use on the farm, some tools that are important to the farm, a couple of my favorite books, and even some podcasting tools! One thing that I noticed as I made up the list was that it has quite a few expensive items on it. At first I was a little taken back by that realization, but then it came to me … as I have matured in my farming adventure I have found that quality really does win the day on the farm. Quality can save time, it can save on broken tools, and most of all it can save frustration! Of course not everything on the list is expensive … I mean I do love a good pair of sub-$10 USA made pliers!

As a bonus I’m also sharing a link to the new boots I’ve been putting through the paces and some leftover Beginning Farmer T-shirts!

:: The Farmer’s Christmas List :: (Amazon links are affiliate links)

  1. The Lean Farm by Ben Hartman
  2. Contrary Farmer by Gene Logsdon
  3. Dewalt LED Flashlight 20V and the Dewalt 20V Impact Wrench
  4. Green Valley Chainsaw Scabbard
  5. Tool Box for Organizing Stuff
  6. Rite in the Rain Notebook for Planning
  7. Podcasting Mic :: Mic Stand :: Foam Windscreen :: Shock Mount :: Bossjock Studio
  8. Speedrite 6000i Fence Energizer (Same as the Stafix x6i Ethan uses)
  9. TEKTON Slip Joint Pliers
  10. All American 30 Quart Pressure Canner

:: The Bonus Items ::

Do You Want to Know More about My Cool New Boots?

These days I’m rocking LaCrosse Brand Alpha Range Boots (that’s the link to the LaCrosse website) … you can even pick them up on Amazon (affiliate link)! They are by far the most comfortable mud boots that I have ever owned. I love the gusseted back because I like to tuck my insulated bibs into the boots, and did I mention the are super comfortable! Check out the links if you are looking for some good boots this winter, and I’ll share more as I see how they stand up to to the life of an Iowa pig farmer.

Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.

If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …

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TBF 145 :: Thanksgiving!, A Difficult Week, and the Family

by on November 23, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!

thankfulThis past week was “one of those weeks” on the farm! A hydraulic line exploded on the tractor, but thankfully my cousin was able to fix it. We dug in the water lines into the hoop building, but I am beginning to realize that the concrete is not going to happen this year (that is my fault). To top it all off though the tractor started acting up again, and this time it seems that the probably actually may be caused by a much larger problem! Mentally it was a daunting week to so the least. All of this is happening though right before what I consider to be my favorite holiday … Thanksgiving. To me it seems fitting though because despite all that seems to be breaking down around me there is plenty to be thankful for on the farm. In fact, I made a list …

:: This Beginning Farmer is Thankful ::

  • I am Thankful for the Help of Family and Friends
  • I am Thankful for the Awesome Farm Champions We Have
  • I am Thankful for Safety and Fruitfulness
  • I am Thankful for Generations of Farmers Sharing Their Knowledge
  • I am Thankful for a Farming Family

Do You Want to Know More about My Cool New Boots?

These days I’m rocking LaCrosse Brand Alpha Range Boots (that’s the link to the LaCrosse website) … you can even pick them up on Amazon (affiliate link)! They are by far the most comfortable mud boots that I have ever owned. I love the gusseted back because I like to tuck my insulated bibs into the boots, and did I mention the are super comfortable! Check out the links if you are looking for some good boots this winter, and I’ll share more as I see how they stand up to to the life of an Iowa pig farmer.

Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.

If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …

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TBF 144 :: Your Answers to My Questions, Content, and a Hard Lesson Learned

by on November 16, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!

questionsDo you know the greatest thing about The Beginning Farmer Podcast/Blog? It is YOU of course! Two episodes ago I flipped the tables, and instead of doing my typical “question and answer” show where I attempt to answer listener questions I asked the questions. The responses you sent in and shared on concrete, turkeys, walk-in freezers, pig pastures, and show content were AWESOME and full of great knowledge. If you typically just scan the blog post and check out the links I really encourage you to take a listen to the episode this time because it is full of knowledge and experience from farmers that are out there doing it. I’ve also gathered together some links that helped me dig a little deeper in to the advice that came in from you, the listeners!

:: The Beginning Farmer’s Research ::

And, The New Boots! (picture above)

One other thing I mentioned in this episode was the new pair of boots that I have been running through the paces that came from LaCrosse Boots. I received a pair of Alpha Range Boots (that’s the link to the LaCrosse website) … you can even pick them up on Amazon (affiliate link)! They are by far the most comfortable mud boots that I have ever owned. I love the gusseted back because I like to tuck my insulated bibs into the boots, and did I mention the are super comfortable! Check out the links if you are looking for some good boots this winter, and I’ll share more as I see how they stand up to to the life of an Iowa pig farmer.

Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.

If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …

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TBF 143 :: Net Fence for Sheep, The Farm Crawl, and a Hard Lesson Learned

by on November 9, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!

hadfarmcrawlWe physically survived The Farm Crawl, but it was a bit mentally taxing. The day was beautiful, the farm was in great shape, we had a good selection of pork for sale, and the people were awesome! There was one down part though and it is what made me a bit mentally taxing … the numbers were down (both from a sales and attendance standpoint). I am extremely thankful for everyone that was able to show up, but was a bit thrown by the differences we had seen from years past. That’s what sort of threw me off a bit … well that and hustling to get my spring projects (yes I really mean spring) done before winter sets in! Thankfully though I had a lot of great questions in the hopper so I’ll do my best to answer them …

:: What Questions Are We Tackling This Week ::

  1. What do you do if an animal needs to be put down?
  2. What do farmers need to know about taxes?
  3. Have you used sheep netting?
  4. Rotational grazing with sheep, but not cattle. Does it work?
  5. How about pigs … apple cider vinegar, loading/sorting pens, and getting them on the cart?

Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.

If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …

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TBF 142 :: This Farmer Has Questions, Cattle Sold, and a Hard Lesson Learned

by on September 20, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!

vinegarquestionsOur farm has been a farm for eight years now, which I suppose means I have been a farmer for eight years as well. But, I don’t want anyone to think that I’m still not “The Beginning Farmer” … sometimes it seems the more I learn about this farming art the more I feel like a beginner! With that in mind I’ve always tried my best to share the ups and downs because I know that I learn from my mistakes, so hopefully someone else can learn from them as well. Along the way (over almost 10 years of blogging/podcasting) you all have come along side and shared your experiences as well! That is why I knew that I could turn the tables a little bit and ask you the questions …

:: Five Questions From a Beginning Farmer ::

  1. I want some concrete! Should I feel bad about that as a grass-based farmer?
  2. What can I plant this fall for my pig pastures next spring?
  3. Maybe it is finally time for turkey. How can I raise them without losing my mind?
  4. Should we invest in a walk-in freezer?
  5. What would you like to see from “The Beginning Farmer Show”?

Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.

If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …

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TBF 141 :: Quit Buying Herefords, Meat Chicks, and a Hard Lesson Learned

by on September 14, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!

flerdIn many ways our farm began before the farm even began. I was reading books, talking to farmers, dreaming dreams, and making plans. All of that lead to me thinking I had it all together before I even stepped foot onto what would eventually become Crooked Gap Farm. If you’ve heard me talk about the beginnings of the farm before you will know that in my mind the centerpiece was going to be Dexter Cattle raised for beef. It should be noted though that when I was thinking that I had never even tasted Dexter beef! What I have not talked a lot about before though is that when I was in that planning stage I thought the other main enterprise on the farm would be our Tamworth hogs.

Now, if you are familiar with the farm you will be thinking to yourself, “Tamworth hogs? What about the Herefords?” The reality is that in my reading and planning stages I had completely settled on Tamworths being the perfect breed for us. When I couldn’t find enough Tamworths I moved on to the Gloucestershire Old Spots, but I never found any of them either. So, I just got pigs and I learned how to raise those pigs. It was sometime after that first couple of batches of pigs that I ended up with the Herefords and now that is what we love and what we are known for.

That is why I say today, “Quit buying Hereford hogs!” It’s not that  I don’t think they are a great breed with lots of positive points, but rather I don’t think it is the only direction to go. In the end I think there are three pieces of advice I wish I would have followed when I was selecting livestock for my beginning farm:

  1. Do What Works on Your Farm!
  2. Start With What is Readily Available in Your Area!
  3. Raise Your Livestock with Care and Husbandry and in an Exceptional Way!

Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.

If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …

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