There are some purchases on the farm that make perfect sense…
About $3,700 for a pig feeder.
Why We Finally Replaced Our Pig Feeders
As painful as the price tag was, there was a good reason for making the investment.
The old feeders we’d been using for years were built from relatively thin metal. After countless seasons sitting outside in the weather—not to mention hundreds of pigs rubbing against them, climbing on them, and generally treating them like playground equipment—they had simply reached the end of their life.
Rust had taken its toll, and the pigs quite literally tore several of them apart.
One thing people are often surprised to learn is just how hard pigs are on equipment. They love to root, push, scratch, chew, and investigate everything around them. It is part of what makes pigs so interesting to raise, but it also means anything placed in their pen needs to be built tough.
We finally decided it was time to invest in something built to last.
Our new Osborne RO25 Big Wheel pig feeder is made primarily from heavy-duty fiberglass. Unlike the old metal feeders, it won’t rust, it’s dramatically stronger, and it should provide many years of reliable service. Sometimes spending more upfront really does save money over the long run. Better equipment means less waste, less maintenance, and more time focusing on what really matters—raising healthy animals.
People often ask why truly pasture-raised meat costs more than grocery store meat. Sometimes the answer is as simple as this: we’re constantly reinvesting in better equipment, better infrastructure, and better animal care. It’s not always the glamorous side of farming, but it is one of the biggest reasons we’re able to keep raising food the way we believe it should be raised.
Of course, the pigs didn’t seem to care how much it cost.
They were just excited that breakfast was served.
We’ve included a few photos below of us assembling the feeder and then introducing it to the pigs. It didn’t take them long to decide they approved of the upgrade!
Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence
As we celebrate Independence Day, it’s hard not to stop and appreciate what this holiday really represents.
This year marks an incredible milestone—250 years of American independence.
That’s something worth celebrating.
Recently I was reading a recent article by Joel Salatin (The Lunatic Farmer, an excellent blog btw) describing his visit with farmers in Poland. He shared how extensive regulations and red tape have made it incredibly difficult for livestock farmers to raise animals outdoors using pasture-based systems. It was a reminder that the freedoms we sometimes take for granted aren’t guaranteed everywhere in the world.
Our country certainly isn’t perfect, and like many people, I can think of freedoms I’d love to see expanded even further.
But today, I’m choosing gratitude.
Thankful for the Freedom to Farm
Here at our Maryland family farm, we’re incredibly thankful for the opportunity to farm according to our values.
Every day we’re able to practice regenerative farming by rotationally grazing 100% grass-fed beef, raising pasture raised pork in our woodlots and pastures, and producing pasture-raised chicken for families who care about where their food comes from.
Our pigs are regularly moved to fresh sections of pasture and woods, giving them clean ground to explore while allowing previous areas time to naturally recover. It is one of the many regenerative farming practices we believe leads to healthier animals, healthier soil, and better food.
Families throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and across the East Coast trust us for pasture-raised pork, 100% grass-fed beef, and meat raised with care from a small family farm.
We’re thankful that we have the freedom to continually improve our farm, invest in better equipment, care for our animals the way we know is right, and provide wholesome food directly to our customers.
Those freedoms are blessings that we never want to take for granted.
They’re worth celebrating every single day—not just on the Fourth of July.
A Grass-Fed Brisket and Time with Family
As I finish writing this, there’s a beautiful 100% grass-fed brisket slowly smoking outside.
The pigs are getting used to their new feeder.
The chores are (mostly) caught up.
And before long, our family will gather around the table to enjoy good food, good company, and another Independence Day together.
Honestly, days like today remind us why we chose this life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Pigs
Why do your pigs need a special feeder?
Our pasture-raised pigs eat a balanced non-GMO, soy-free feed ration in addition to the grasses, roots, insects, acorns, and other foods they forage throughout our woodlots and pastures. A durable feeder helps keep that feed clean, dry, and protected from the weather while reducing waste.
Why are fiberglass pig feeders so expensive?
Quality farm equipment is not inexpensive, but it often saves money over time. Our previous metal feeders eventually rusted, and the pigs literally tore them apart, wasting a bunch of feed. Fiberglass won’t rust, is significantly stronger, and should last for many years, making it a worthwhile investment for the farm.
Are your pigs raised outdoors?
Yes. Our pasture raised pigs spend their lives outdoors where they can root, explore, and express their natural behaviors. We believe pasture-raised pork starts with giving pigs an environment where they can simply be pigs.
What does pasture-raised pork mean?
For us, pasture-raised pork means our pigs are raised outdoors with access to fresh air, sunshine, woods, pasture, and room to move. They are not confined in large industrial barns, and we manage them in a way that supports both animal health and soil health. They are moved regularly to new ground where the can root, forage and explore.
Where is Freedom Valley Farm located?
Freedom Valley Farm is a Maryland family farm located in White Hall, Maryland. We raise pasture raised pork, pasture-raised chicken, and 100% grass-fed beef for families who want to know where their food comes from. We ship to 24 states.
Thank You
From all of us at Freedom Valley Farm, thank you.
Thank you for supporting a small family farm.
Thank you for believing in regenerative agriculture.
Every order you place allows us to continue improving our farm, investing in better equipment, caring for our animals, and serving families who value knowing exactly where their food comes from.
We hope you enjoy a joyful Fourth of July, and take a moment to appreciate what an incredible God-given blessing it is to celebrate 250 years of American independence.
Happy Fourth of July from our family to yours!
— Ryan & the Freedom Valley Farm Family
“`
