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Eat it or Lose it: National Pig Day
Posted on Fri, February 20, 2009 by Jerusha Klemperer
1 Comments | Categories: Biodiversity, Events, Farms and Farming, Take Action,
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by Slow Food USA intern Laura Kate Morris
March. It conjures up thoughts of melting snow, hatless days, and… pigs? Yes, for all you porcine aficionados, March 1st is National Pig Day. Interested in hosting your own pig-tastic celebration? Here are a few tips for more background info and how to sustainably enjoy your pork…
To learn a bit more about the many shapes and sizes of hog, check out the American Livestock Breed Conservancy’s listing of threatened breeds and Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste, which profiles four endangered American varieties.
As with other livestock, the popularity of conventional pig breeds endanger the broad genetic diversity found in heritage animals. Conventional pigs put on weight fast, maximizing output (and profit) for large corporations in controlled (and usually inhumane) environments. On the other hand, heritage breed pigs, ignored by many big farms, are a nod to our agricultural history with a look and taste that is genetically closer to their piggy ancestors. Heritage breeds tend to be heartier, good foragers, and suited to their respective regions. Not to mention their fantastic names like “Red Wattle” and “Ossabaw Island Hog.” It’s organizations like the ALBC, and some very dedicated farmers, that are helping these breeds to make a comeback.
One of the major problems for conservationists is that without a demand, the breeds will disappear (hence the title of this post.) Emerging connections with chefs and restaurants are helping to create a market for specialty breed pork products. To source one of the four Ark of Taste-listed breeds, read their profiles on the Slow Food website. Also check out LocalHarvest to find a farmer near you that raises the animals. This site should help you source the ham of your dreams.
In fact, once you’ve had one, why not try them all? Get inspired by Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, VA, which recently hosted a “Pork Pageant” tasting of multiple heritage hog breeds (see the winners here).
Or, if you’d rather go out to eat, instead of hosting a pig roast in the comforts of your own home, check out the hottest upcoming nationwide tour celebrating pigs and all their tasty parts. Cochon 555 is touring the nation through June, with events featuring 5 chefs, 5 pigs, and 5 wines, helping to promote farms raising heritage breeds.
And, for those of you out there who like to appreciate the pig for the lovely, oinking, breathing animal it is, why not visit a local farm and bring some lucky pigs a snack from your compost bucket? Check out LocalHarvest again for pigs near you.
Other porcine links –
Read about Maveric Heritage Farm‘s efforts to save endangered hogs, focusing on Mulefoot and Guinea hogs.
Lazy S farm raises endangered Red Wattle pigs
And, as always, there is the perfect gift for your favorite omnivore… the Bacon-of-the-month Club
Member Comments
From Laura Kate on Tue, February 24, 2009
Pigs are the most intelligent and social of all livestock breeds. You don?t have to be a farmer to celebrate the beauty, wonder and deliciousness of pigs. In honor of our porcine heritage, why not try some of the following ideas?
* Visit a local farm that raises pigs and let the farmer know you appreciate their participation in raising these wonderful creatures
* Visit a zoo that has a swine display
* Participate in a ?Snort-Off?, a competition to see who can make the best pig snorting sounds
* Host a dinner party at your home, where you will serve pork dishes and take a collection to benefit one of the organizations set up to save endangered pigs breeds such as the Slow Food Ark, the Endangered Hog Foundation, the Animal Welfare Institute or the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy)
* Purchase pork products from a farm who practices sustainable or organic agriculture. Don?t forget our rare breeds featured on the Ark of Taste
* Even vegetarians can enjoy a ?Pig in a Blanket?
* Wear a pig snout, ears or a tail to work
* Sing the ?Little Piggy? Song
* Send a Pig themed card or a piggy poem to your friends
* Not everyone eats pork (perish the thought) or can personally engage in farming. But, there is still something you can do to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity of swine breeds. You can sponsor a herd sire at Maveric, and help to provide feed, veterinary care and TLC for a stud boar. They are a critical part of the breed preservation work. Stud boars must be cared for year ?round, though they only ?work? a few weeks per year.
* PIG OUT!
