Is there anything more wonderfully country than farm-raised sweet corn? Our country neighbors (which means they can be as much as five miles away) have a sweet corn stand back their long gravel lane with a money box based on the honor system.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Forrest Gump of DeGraff
I really like the movie Forrest Gump. So many of us can quote lines from the film but to me what makes it interesting is how Forrest becomes (often comically) ingrained in so many historical moments. Rolling Stone called the movie and Tom Hanks portrayal of Forrest, everything we admire in the American character – honest, brave, loyal...
I recently read a book that made me think of Forrest Gump, not that the main character is dim, in fact he goes on to be a university president, but that he comes of age during the post-war period and lives more common, but still important, bits of history.
Dr. Rick Niece's second automythography, "The Band Plays On," takes place in rural DeGraff, Ohio. Where, thanks to my review of his first book, he is now so famous he has been invited back to be the grand marshall of the parade opening the DeGraff Country Fair this fall.
Back in 1950-something Rick Niece moved to DeGraff, Ohio with his family. His first book tells the tale of a young paper boy who took the time to care about the people of his town while they took care of him. In this book, it's now 1960-something and Rick Niece plays taps with his father the band director and eventually leaves DeGraff for college.
While reading this book I kept thinking, I know a dozen men Dr. Niece's age who grew up in rural Ohio who could have written this book. But they didn't. And then I realized that Rick wrote this for them. He wrote this for all of us to better understand a moment in time. A moment in history.
History is not always kind to Rick Niece and the people he loves but the book ends with a heart-warming reunion--providing closure in real life and for readers of the book.
The theme for the 2012 DeGraff Country Fair is We welcome the new and embrace the old. I can't think of a better theme for a hometown parade featuring fire trucks, marching bands and Rick Niece.
UPDATE: Here's a real review by a real journalist at the Springfield News-Sun.
I received a free copy of the book to read and enjoy, but you probably already figured out that this review is entirely my own. Learn more about "The Band Plays On" at www.RickNieceBooks.com
I recently read a book that made me think of Forrest Gump, not that the main character is dim, in fact he goes on to be a university president, but that he comes of age during the post-war period and lives more common, but still important, bits of history.
Dr. Rick Niece's second automythography, "The Band Plays On," takes place in rural DeGraff, Ohio. Where, thanks to my review of his first book, he is now so famous he has been invited back to be the grand marshall of the parade opening the DeGraff Country Fair this fall.
Back in 1950-something Rick Niece moved to DeGraff, Ohio with his family. His first book tells the tale of a young paper boy who took the time to care about the people of his town while they took care of him. In this book, it's now 1960-something and Rick Niece plays taps with his father the band director and eventually leaves DeGraff for college.
While reading this book I kept thinking, I know a dozen men Dr. Niece's age who grew up in rural Ohio who could have written this book. But they didn't. And then I realized that Rick wrote this for them. He wrote this for all of us to better understand a moment in time. A moment in history.
History is not always kind to Rick Niece and the people he loves but the book ends with a heart-warming reunion--providing closure in real life and for readers of the book.
The theme for the 2012 DeGraff Country Fair is We welcome the new and embrace the old. I can't think of a better theme for a hometown parade featuring fire trucks, marching bands and Rick Niece.
UPDATE: Here's a real review by a real journalist at the Springfield News-Sun.
I received a free copy of the book to read and enjoy, but you probably already figured out that this review is entirely my own. Learn more about "The Band Plays On" at www.RickNieceBooks.com
Friday, June 22, 2012
Hey, Don't Screw This Up
I will consider myself FAILED as a farm wife mommy blogger if you don't yet know the difference between hay and straw.
Due to the mild winter, many wheat fields are being harvested early, which means it's time for straw. If you don't know the connection between wheat and straw.... well, just shoot me now.
Get yourself educated, before you say something stupid on a hay ride. Try not to embarrass me, will ya.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
It's a Kidney Stone!
Ladies Who are Mothers, you know that feeling when IT IS TIME TO GO because that being growing inside of you is ready to pass through a way-too-small canal out a way-too-small hole.
Imagine that happening to a man. Except the being that is being passed is this small: . See it there? That dot. Men get morphine to pass these.
And when they are writhing in agony in the car on the way to the hospital you are expected to break the same number of traffic laws as an entire season of the Dukes of Hazzard. You are NOT, as it turns out, allowed to casually shave and finish your Subway sandwich--like Husband did to ME six years ago.
Although, let me just say something about the feeling of driving someone to the hospital at 2 a.m. on a weeknight. What a THRILL. I have been training my whole life for this. And some people in the family say I drive like a crazy person. I was only practicing for the CRITICAL day when I would need to rush my dear Husband to the hospital so he could pass a fly-speck-sized nugget while on morphine.
He came home with FOUR prescriptions. The THREE times that I passed more than EIGHT POUNDS out of my body, I came home with an adult diaper for bleeding, a creature that sucked my boobs and a bottle of Tylenol PM.
I am happy that Husband is out of pain and more than anything glad to know that he is OK. It is very scary to wake up in the middle of the night and make the decision to take your spouse to the hospital. Even with the opportunity to speed and run red lights.
And as you can see from the photo of Husband above, he is back to normal functioning.
Imagine that happening to a man. Except the being that is being passed is this small: . See it there? That dot. Men get morphine to pass these.
And when they are writhing in agony in the car on the way to the hospital you are expected to break the same number of traffic laws as an entire season of the Dukes of Hazzard. You are NOT, as it turns out, allowed to casually shave and finish your Subway sandwich--like Husband did to ME six years ago.
Although, let me just say something about the feeling of driving someone to the hospital at 2 a.m. on a weeknight. What a THRILL. I have been training my whole life for this. And some people in the family say I drive like a crazy person. I was only practicing for the CRITICAL day when I would need to rush my dear Husband to the hospital so he could pass a fly-speck-sized nugget while on morphine.
He came home with FOUR prescriptions. The THREE times that I passed more than EIGHT POUNDS out of my body, I came home with an adult diaper for bleeding, a creature that sucked my boobs and a bottle of Tylenol PM.
I am happy that Husband is out of pain and more than anything glad to know that he is OK. It is very scary to wake up in the middle of the night and make the decision to take your spouse to the hospital. Even with the opportunity to speed and run red lights.
And as you can see from the photo of Husband above, he is back to normal functioning.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Show Business
Last week I taped a MomTalk Radio Father's Day show with the legendary Maria Bailey. How did that happen? I don't really know. Totally out of the blue I got an email from her assistant Carey asking if I wanted to do the show.
I have been receiving the MomTalk emails for some time now, so I guess my number just came up.
I wanted to be prepared so I went to the website and listened to a few back episodes--all very good and very informative for Moms. She has a great mix of experts on relevant topics for families.
The day/time of the taping I got a call from a male producer who basically dumped me directly on the line with Maria. But just like when you go on Oprah (I would assume.) there is no time for idle chit-chat. In about five seconds the other Mom was on the line and it was time to put on the RADIO VOICE.
And Maria has a very nice radio voice (her regular voice is nice too). The actual interview was fun. We talked about our plans for Father's Day--both me and the other Mom not really realizing that we should be talking as if Father's Day was THAT DAY.
The highlight of the show was toward the end when Maria said
1. She has seen my blog before. WHAT??
2. She now gets the whole Bringing Home the Bacon name. She gets it!
Be sure to listen to the show--and consider tuning in regularly. If you are pressed for time, my part is about 3/4 of the way through.
Of course, show business is fickle. Immediately after our interview wrapped and Maria taped her next promo the call ended. No goodbyes or empty promises to keep in touch, no offers to hang out.
Just a dial tone, like Oprah.
I have been receiving the MomTalk emails for some time now, so I guess my number just came up.
I wanted to be prepared so I went to the website and listened to a few back episodes--all very good and very informative for Moms. She has a great mix of experts on relevant topics for families.
The day/time of the taping I got a call from a male producer who basically dumped me directly on the line with Maria. But just like when you go on Oprah (I would assume.) there is no time for idle chit-chat. In about five seconds the other Mom was on the line and it was time to put on the RADIO VOICE.
And Maria has a very nice radio voice (her regular voice is nice too). The actual interview was fun. We talked about our plans for Father's Day--both me and the other Mom not really realizing that we should be talking as if Father's Day was THAT DAY.
The highlight of the show was toward the end when Maria said
1. She has seen my blog before. WHAT??
2. She now gets the whole Bringing Home the Bacon name. She gets it!
Be sure to listen to the show--and consider tuning in regularly. If you are pressed for time, my part is about 3/4 of the way through.
Of course, show business is fickle. Immediately after our interview wrapped and Maria taped her next promo the call ended. No goodbyes or empty promises to keep in touch, no offers to hang out.
Just a dial tone, like Oprah.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Dirty Socks for Father's Day
Yesterday we gave my father-in-law dirty socks for Father's Day. It wasn't our original intention.
First, in our defense, my father-in-law is very difficult to buy for. He's not very technologically savvy, so gadgets are out and he's a farmer, so aside from a few to wear to church, ties are out too. I did try to do an experience gift at Christmas but the Segway tour of Downtown Dayton went unredeemed (damn impulse Groupon).
Anything else he wants he buys for himself, so we have to stick to needs for gift-giving. I REFUSE to purchase underwear as a gift for anyone (Thongs are the exception. You were wondering how I was going to work in a thong reference, weren't you?) Hence the socks.
If there was an Olympic event for sock wearing-out my father-in-law would win, so much so that he'd be under Lance Armstrong-like scrutiny for cheating. He loves to tell the story about how when he was young the local dry goods store had a guarantee on socks. If you wore their brand out inside of six months, they would give you another pair. He claims his Dad didn't have to buy him socks for years. Anyone who has ever seen my father-in-law without shoes has also seen the better part of his heel--much to my mother-in-law's dismay.
So we buy the socks. Two packages of Nikes.
Father's Day Sunday morning arrives and after doing an hour of work outside, Husband rushes in to change for church. He needs a pair of socks. We quickly decide that we'll keep one of the pairs designated for his Dad, then take them out of the package later, so he doesn't know how many he was supposed to get.
We live next door to my in-laws. That's a whole different post--about the wonderfulness of it, of course. Husband decides to put all the socks in a shoe box along with the tire gauge we got his father. Husband makes the executive decision not to do any wrapping, or even tape the box closed.
Then he decides to hand this package over to our eight-year-old to carry next door. No sooner do we get out the door then we see Justin out in the barnyard with a stream of gleaming white socks spilling out of the shoe box into the rocks and grass.
Somehow this is the funniest thing I have ever seen. I am paralyzed with laughter while Husband is on the ground glaring at me while he picks grass, sticks and dirt off his father's socks. And then it starts to rain. We were so happy for the rain that all of us kept walking, me still giggling. When we got almost to their house we realized my in-laws weren't home.
Husband proposed that we just drop off the now-damp box. I said, Do you really think it's a good idea to take a wet shoe box of dirty socks and just leave it on the kitchen table. Does that say Happy Father's Day to you?
Him: I don't know...
So we decided to return later. My father-in-law LOVED his new socks and overlooked the last piece of dry grass stuck to the heel of one sock.
He only hoped he'd have one pair without a hole left to wear tomorrow.
Anything else he wants he buys for himself, so we have to stick to needs for gift-giving. I REFUSE to purchase underwear as a gift for anyone (Thongs are the exception. You were wondering how I was going to work in a thong reference, weren't you?) Hence the socks.
If there was an Olympic event for sock wearing-out my father-in-law would win, so much so that he'd be under Lance Armstrong-like scrutiny for cheating. He loves to tell the story about how when he was young the local dry goods store had a guarantee on socks. If you wore their brand out inside of six months, they would give you another pair. He claims his Dad didn't have to buy him socks for years. Anyone who has ever seen my father-in-law without shoes has also seen the better part of his heel--much to my mother-in-law's dismay.
So we buy the socks. Two packages of Nikes.
Father's Day Sunday morning arrives and after doing an hour of work outside, Husband rushes in to change for church. He needs a pair of socks. We quickly decide that we'll keep one of the pairs designated for his Dad, then take them out of the package later, so he doesn't know how many he was supposed to get.
We live next door to my in-laws. That's a whole different post--about the wonderfulness of it, of course. Husband decides to put all the socks in a shoe box along with the tire gauge we got his father. Husband makes the executive decision not to do any wrapping, or even tape the box closed.
Then he decides to hand this package over to our eight-year-old to carry next door. No sooner do we get out the door then we see Justin out in the barnyard with a stream of gleaming white socks spilling out of the shoe box into the rocks and grass.
Somehow this is the funniest thing I have ever seen. I am paralyzed with laughter while Husband is on the ground glaring at me while he picks grass, sticks and dirt off his father's socks. And then it starts to rain. We were so happy for the rain that all of us kept walking, me still giggling. When we got almost to their house we realized my in-laws weren't home.
Husband proposed that we just drop off the now-damp box. I said, Do you really think it's a good idea to take a wet shoe box of dirty socks and just leave it on the kitchen table. Does that say Happy Father's Day to you?
Him: I don't know...
So we decided to return later. My father-in-law LOVED his new socks and overlooked the last piece of dry grass stuck to the heel of one sock.
He only hoped he'd have one pair without a hole left to wear tomorrow.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
From the Archive: A Friendly Letter on Father's Day
Enjoy this post from 2010. As I sit here I can hear Todd and Ryan out in the barn working hogs together. The perfect way to spend Father's Day.
Originally posted June 2010:
Ryan had a school assignment to write a letter to a friend or relative about what they want to be when they grow up. The teacher shared this letter with my mother-in-law (also a teacher) who kindly intercepted it to be presented today as a Father's Day tribute.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
This Could be a Problem
I think my head is going to explode. You guys, I just figured out how to make a custom THONG on Cafe Press.
Do you comprehend the absolute OPPORTUNITY here to commemorate ALL of my swine-related activities via thong? We're talking Poop Day, Ohio State Fair O'Neil Swine Barn, Summer Type Conference (always been a toughie to find commemorative undergarments for this one), the day Claude' arrives to clip pigs and even the Montgomery County Fair Swine Show. Maybe a special edition, My Kid Won Showmanship, version.
Breathe. Breathe.
Anyone up to the challenge? Send me your agriculture related thong idea. If any make tears of hysteria stream down my face, I will buy two. One for me and one for you. As a bonus, I will NOT model mine.
Do it for America.
Do you comprehend the absolute OPPORTUNITY here to commemorate ALL of my swine-related activities via thong? We're talking Poop Day, Ohio State Fair O'Neil Swine Barn, Summer Type Conference (always been a toughie to find commemorative undergarments for this one), the day Claude' arrives to clip pigs and even the Montgomery County Fair Swine Show. Maybe a special edition, My Kid Won Showmanship, version.
Breathe. Breathe.
Anyone up to the challenge? Send me your agriculture related thong idea. If any make tears of hysteria stream down my face, I will buy two. One for me and one for you. As a bonus, I will NOT model mine.
Do it for America.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
World Pork Expo: Westward O!
Last week Husband, Ryan, Justin and I drove 10 hours in our pick-up truck to the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, with a trailer full of pigs. I then made a side trip to deliver souvenir underwear to a dear friend in Omaha.
I decided to time-delay my posts on this event for the safety of our farm, and because I wouldn't want someone to haul off my livestock-event-themed undergarment collection.
To start from the beginning of our adventures, check out the thong-a-riffic World Pork Expo - Day 1, poop-filled World Pork Expo - Day 2 and the blue-ribbon World Pork Expo - Day 3.
Keep reading for World Pork Expo - Day 4
I have kept you in suspense long enough. I know you have been DYING to know the secret identity of my hapless friend who received the WORLD. PORK. EXPO. THONG.
Well, the thong was awarded to my dear friend Megan. Why? Because she is the kind of friend who when encountering a giant metal chicken on the sidewalk of Omaha will look at me and say, Knock, knock motherf*cker and then snap my photo after I get done squealing The Bloggess, The Bloggess.
Also, she drove a five hour round trip to fetch me from Des Moines so we could head out west in her covered mini-van.
My mission of delivering the prized World Pork Expo thong accomplished, I was then free to enjoy spending time with her adorable boys who also LOVED the new boots their Mom helped me review so many months ago.
Megan and I had some grown-up time eating dinner at Omaha's wonderful Old Market District and during my whirlwind visit, ending up passing a wonderful art installation on a silo multiple times.
I decided to time-delay my posts on this event for the safety of our farm, and because I wouldn't want someone to haul off my livestock-event-themed undergarment collection.
To start from the beginning of our adventures, check out the thong-a-riffic World Pork Expo - Day 1, poop-filled World Pork Expo - Day 2 and the blue-ribbon World Pork Expo - Day 3.
Keep reading for World Pork Expo - Day 4
I have kept you in suspense long enough. I know you have been DYING to know the secret identity of my hapless friend who received the WORLD. PORK. EXPO. THONG.
Also, she drove a five hour round trip to fetch me from Des Moines so we could head out west in her covered mini-van.
My mission of delivering the prized World Pork Expo thong accomplished, I was then free to enjoy spending time with her adorable boys who also LOVED the new boots their Mom helped me review so many months ago.
Megan and I had some grown-up time eating dinner at Omaha's wonderful Old Market District and during my whirlwind visit, ending up passing a wonderful art installation on a silo multiple times.
Meanwhile, back at the World Pork Expo, Husband and the boys were busy getting the gilts sold at auction. Don't worry. All three are off to live on other farms and very soon will be losing their gilt-ginity.
When Megan dropped me off to catch my ride back to Ohio, her suburban Omaha boys got to learn all about pigs from my rural Farmersville boys and all of us were able to fill our shoes with sawdust.
As her token farmer friend, which seems odd now that she lives in knock, knock mofo NEBRASKA, she can keep up with farm life on this blog, of course. But now WE can keep up with the happenings in Omaha via her brand new blog, OmahaHa!, named for Warren Buffett's left testicle a clever play on the city's name that just makes you want to smile in a friendly non-judgemental way, just like Jesus.
Well now that I have just proven there IS something more crass than bringing a thong as a hostess gift, I will wrap up this delightful series on the World Pork Expo with a parting shot of the Iowa I-80 truck stop, the largest in the WORLD.
We ate at Pizza Hut. We were sick and tired of pork.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
World Pork Expo: Boots Edition
Last
week I ate a whole pig's worth of free pork. HA!
Actually, I DID do that after Husband, Ryan, Justin and I drove 10 hours in our pick-up truck to the
World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, with a trailer full of pigs.
To start from the beginning of our adventures, check out the thong-a-riffic World Pork Expo - Day 1 and poop-filled World Pork Expo - Day 2.
World Pork Expo Day 3 was also Ryan's 11th birthday. He happily celebrated the day like he will many birthdays, with manure on his boots and a smile on his face. The year he was born my father-in-law headed to the World Pork Expo on his own so that Husband could stay close by. Fortunately, Ryan waited to arrive until his GrandDad got back.
Oh, my! Look at this hot mama ready for the morning's pig show, also I was there. In my day I was quite thepig shower swine exhibitor. (I was NOT a pig shower. I was a pig show-er.) Actually one of the first times Husband let me show his pigs at a national show, I focused my efforts not on the judge but an official who was on the side of the show ring, and I STILL beat him.
But more recently have I ceded hog showing duties to the kids and focused on being the chief photographer and brush and spray bottle carrier. But since we had four pigs in the same class and four of us, I was pressed into duty.
You may find this surprising but Husband did NOT give me the best one of the bunch. I ended up in 12th place but Husband and the boys placed near the top and their pigs all made the auction--which was the goal of this show.
I was excited to be breaking in my RodeoBaby Rocker Square Toe boots from Country Outfitter. I had reviewed them late last year but this was my first chance to try them out in show conditions. And they did quite well. My feet were so comfortable that I wore them all day and even that afternoon when I left the state--more on that later.
After doing well in the day's hog show, we were especially proud to see the boys earning recognition for their skills as hog judges. Justin's novice team won first place in the judging contest while Ryan's won third. Justin went on to be one of the top 10 all-around exhibitors in his 8 and under age group--beating at least 100 kids.
That night while I snuck across state lines to hang out with a friend in the burbs, Husband and the boys had a birthday dinner at Ryan's favorite Des Moines restaurant, 5 & Diner.
UPDATE: I have one more quick story to share about life in the hog barn. I was sitting in a chair by our hog pens when I noticed a guy digging through the trash. I immediately thought some down on his luck guy was looking for cans but knew that he was more likely to find pig sh*t. He dug for a while and then he turned around and I saw he was eating a piece of jerky. That he got from the trash?
He saw me staring at him. Turns out he was a fellow pig farmer who explained that he had dropped his truck keys in the trash and that he had the jerky in his other had while he fished for the keys. Whew.
The only thing that wore me out more than Day 3 was WRITING about Day 3. I'll save my adventures journeying west across Iowa in a covered mini-van for Day 4.
I decided to time-delay my posts on this event for the
safety of our farm, and because I wouldn't want someone to haul off the light wood, dated entertainment center in our living room. Oh, wait...
To start from the beginning of our adventures, check out the thong-a-riffic World Pork Expo - Day 1 and poop-filled World Pork Expo - Day 2.
Keep reading for World Pork Expo - Day 3
World Pork Expo Day 3 was also Ryan's 11th birthday. He happily celebrated the day like he will many birthdays, with manure on his boots and a smile on his face. The year he was born my father-in-law headed to the World Pork Expo on his own so that Husband could stay close by. Fortunately, Ryan waited to arrive until his GrandDad got back.
Oh, my! Look at this hot mama ready for the morning's pig show, also I was there. In my day I was quite the
But more recently have I ceded hog showing duties to the kids and focused on being the chief photographer and brush and spray bottle carrier. But since we had four pigs in the same class and four of us, I was pressed into duty.
You may find this surprising but Husband did NOT give me the best one of the bunch. I ended up in 12th place but Husband and the boys placed near the top and their pigs all made the auction--which was the goal of this show.
I was excited to be breaking in my RodeoBaby Rocker Square Toe boots from Country Outfitter. I had reviewed them late last year but this was my first chance to try them out in show conditions. And they did quite well. My feet were so comfortable that I wore them all day and even that afternoon when I left the state--more on that later.
After doing well in the day's hog show, we were especially proud to see the boys earning recognition for their skills as hog judges. Justin's novice team won first place in the judging contest while Ryan's won third. Justin went on to be one of the top 10 all-around exhibitors in his 8 and under age group--beating at least 100 kids.
That night while I snuck across state lines to hang out with a friend in the burbs, Husband and the boys had a birthday dinner at Ryan's favorite Des Moines restaurant, 5 & Diner.
UPDATE: I have one more quick story to share about life in the hog barn. I was sitting in a chair by our hog pens when I noticed a guy digging through the trash. I immediately thought some down on his luck guy was looking for cans but knew that he was more likely to find pig sh*t. He dug for a while and then he turned around and I saw he was eating a piece of jerky. That he got from the trash?
He saw me staring at him. Turns out he was a fellow pig farmer who explained that he had dropped his truck keys in the trash and that he had the jerky in his other had while he fished for the keys. Whew.
The only thing that wore me out more than Day 3 was WRITING about Day 3. I'll save my adventures journeying west across Iowa in a covered mini-van for Day 4.
Monday, June 11, 2012
World Pork Expo: Hurry Up and Wait
Last week I accompanied Husband to a trade show for his job. We stayed at a posh resort in Arizona and I lounged by the pool while he went to meetings. HA! Actually, Husband, Ryan, Justin and I drove 10 hours in our pick-up truck to the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, with a trailer full of pigs.
As did the reigning reserve champion pee-wee showman from the local fair. Both boys showed well but didn't make the cut.
After showmanship was over, we headed out for MORE free pork for lunch. And thus began the wait. Showmanship started at 8 a.m., so we were up by 6:15 and in the barn by 7 a.m. After this early morning a looooong afternoon and evening waiting to show again was exhausting. The pigs entertained themselves by pooping and then lying in it, causing Husband and Ryan to give them repeated wash downs.
Justin kept busy by reading boar stud catalogs. This is a catalog, like any other, with the main exception that the product is pig semen. Yes, we allow our eight-year-old to peruse semen catalogs.
I occupied myself on my smart phone and decided to check out the twitter traffic around this event and then HOLY HIJACKED HASHTAG, Batman, I saw that vegan activist groups were using #NPPCWPX to further their agenda of banning pig gestation stalls. Full disclosure: This is technology that we don't use on our farm because the volume and type of pigs we produce wouldn't justify the investment.
There is a very balanced take on this issue on CNN (timing probably not a coincidence), that I encourage you to read.
On a serious note, I understand the benefits of gestation stalls--for both farmer and pig--but I think that the swine industry is coming to terms with the concept that we need to move on to a different way of handling sows. I do think that consumers need to be careful and think critically about taking guidance from people who ultimately want to eradicate your meat eating options altogether. End of serious note.
After that dose of swine industry social media/PR, I left the barn (blasphemy!) and wandered around the gorgeous Iowa State Fairgrounds. I discovered a fun playground park hidden away behind the barn. We had the place to ourselves when I managed to drag the boys away from the barn for a little while. Even Husband joined us.
Once they started showing the Yorkshires in late afternoon, we still had to wait for class 12 where both gilts were entered. Gilts show by age; ours were born last November, making them among the older pigs in the barn.
The boys were FINALLY called to show their pigs about 9:30 p.m.. After all that wait, the best we did was 10th place. Fortunately, we had another show on Day 3 and an auction on Day 4 in which to redeem ourselves. More on that later.
I decided to time-delay my posts on this event for the safety of our farm, and because I wouldn't want someone to haul off our VCR tape collection.
To start from the beginning, check out the thong-a-riffic World Pork Expo - Day 1.
Keep reading for World Pork Expo - Day 2
By day two all 2,100 pigs in the barn had managed to poop 20 times each. And if you do the math, you'll realize that you'll never want anyone in my family to wear their shoes in your house again.
Ryan and Justin were participating in the World Pork Expo Junior National, a show put on by the National Junior Swine Association. (Membership is free, in case you know of any young people looking to build their resume.)
In addition to showing their Hampshire barrows (black and white, castrated males) on Day 1, Day 2 included a show for their Yorkshire gilts, plus a show that measured the skills of the kids in showing the pigs. Showmanship.
Above, you see Ryan preparing to enter the ring for his showmanship class.
The competition at a national show like the World Pork Expo is fierce (700+ kids from 26 states). As the reigning junior showmanship champion at our county fair, even Ryan had a tough time getting placed.
As did the reigning reserve champion pee-wee showman from the local fair. Both boys showed well but didn't make the cut.
After showmanship was over, we headed out for MORE free pork for lunch. And thus began the wait. Showmanship started at 8 a.m., so we were up by 6:15 and in the barn by 7 a.m. After this early morning a looooong afternoon and evening waiting to show again was exhausting. The pigs entertained themselves by pooping and then lying in it, causing Husband and Ryan to give them repeated wash downs.
Justin kept busy by reading boar stud catalogs. This is a catalog, like any other, with the main exception that the product is pig semen. Yes, we allow our eight-year-old to peruse semen catalogs.
I occupied myself on my smart phone and decided to check out the twitter traffic around this event and then HOLY HIJACKED HASHTAG, Batman, I saw that vegan activist groups were using #NPPCWPX to further their agenda of banning pig gestation stalls. Full disclosure: This is technology that we don't use on our farm because the volume and type of pigs we produce wouldn't justify the investment.
There is a very balanced take on this issue on CNN (timing probably not a coincidence), that I encourage you to read.
On a serious note, I understand the benefits of gestation stalls--for both farmer and pig--but I think that the swine industry is coming to terms with the concept that we need to move on to a different way of handling sows. I do think that consumers need to be careful and think critically about taking guidance from people who ultimately want to eradicate your meat eating options altogether. End of serious note.
After that dose of swine industry social media/PR, I left the barn (blasphemy!) and wandered around the gorgeous Iowa State Fairgrounds. I discovered a fun playground park hidden away behind the barn. We had the place to ourselves when I managed to drag the boys away from the barn for a little while. Even Husband joined us.
Once they started showing the Yorkshires in late afternoon, we still had to wait for class 12 where both gilts were entered. Gilts show by age; ours were born last November, making them among the older pigs in the barn.
The boys were FINALLY called to show their pigs about 9:30 p.m.. After all that wait, the best we did was 10th place. Fortunately, we had another show on Day 3 and an auction on Day 4 in which to redeem ourselves. More on that later.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Snapshots on the Farm
Justin spends a little quality time with his Yorkshire gilt (female). He wants her to practice for an upcoming show but she would rather root in the dirt.
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