| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| chaddsgirl |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 11:32:18 AM
I got this crazy idea last fall that this coming fall, 2010 I really wanted to have an Old Fashioned Hog Killing at my house. Not too many years ago, a town not far from where I live used to do this every year. It sort of turned into a big craft festival and so they don't actually kill hogs there anymore.
Now, I know some of the farm girls have a really difficult time with the concept of butchering animals, and some of the girls are vegetarians. Hopefully my topic title is clear enought that those ladies will steer clear of this thread. My goal is not to disgust or offend anyone.
Anyway, I'm planning to purchase 2 or 3 young pigs this spring and raise them through the spring and summer into late fall. At that point I will be inviting family and friends to come and help us process the hogs at our house. We have enough experience among our ranks that would should have enough knowledge to get the job done correctly. DH will be building a smoke house for hams, bacon rashers and such. And I intend to render down all the lard to use for soap making and cooking throughout the winter. Once the hogs are butchered and processed we will divide up the meat to all who came to help as payment for their services.
It really hasn't been that long ago (in this part of the country anyway), that this was a pretty common thing. And I'm really looking forward to trying our hand at it this coming fall.
We will have a tent/covered area set up for people to sit and visit, until they are needed and to provide a place to get warm when neccessary. Then those who are interested can help with processing while the others get the mid-day meal together for everyone else. I thought this would be a great social gathering for our friends and family as much as it would be a cooperative effort in procuring pork.
We will have a big cast iron pot sitting over an open fire for rendering lard when the time comes. Hopefully I will be able to get some of the ladies to help me with that. It is a very long and slightly arduous process.
Anyway, this is one of my big plans for 2010 and I wanted to open it up to any farmgirls in my area. If any of you are interested in observing or participating (or just visiting!!!), you are welcome to come by and join us.
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan
Deeperrootsfarm.etsy.com |
| 21 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| chaddsgirl |
Posted - Jan 14 2010 : 07:12:18 AM
You know, Catherine, it's funny you mention the hog butchering from Little House in the Big Woods. My nieces have read those books. And I mentioned to them that they could use the bladder as a balloon. They were both horrified. LOL!!! I always thought that was kind of cool. And very resourceful. :)
Theresa your family must be living all around me!!! That would be fantastic and yes, you would be right in the perfect area to see me and all your relatives. :) Keeping my fingers crossed that this will work out.
Kristen, that would be fantastic if you could come. I could definitely use your help rendering the lard.
As far as the type of hogs we will raise, I'm pretty much leaving that up to my husband. I don't think he really buys into the concept of heritage animals, but he's come a long way toward organics and homegrown in the last year. So it's one step at a time. He works on the family farm full time now, but he used to be an FFA advisor. He worked in a very poor school district, but had a lot of kids that wanted to show animals at the summer fairs. So he really got into hogs. This was an animal the kids could afford to raise and show. He did very well with the hogs and I know he'll pick a good breed for us to raise. Like I said, one step at a time. :)
Since this is the first time for us to do something like this, with all hands on deck butchering a hog, I am afraid to schedule too many events such as killing chickens and turkeys at the same time. Though that is somethig to consider for next year. A lot of it will just depends on how many hands we have to do the work.
I'm so excited!!! It would be great if this turned into a farm girl gathering to boot!
Silly idea that I will probably do: thinking of making a special apron with either pigs or bacon on it for the event.
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan
Deeperrootsfarm.etsy.com |
| cajungal |
Posted - Jan 14 2010 : 05:13:48 AM
Sarah,
You are so right.....self sufficiency, the pride and sense of satisfaction of growing/raising your own food, sharing this with others...... In Martha Stewart's words "It's a good thing".
The "Little House on the Prairie" books (I think it's the first one) give a description of Pa butchering a pig. Mary and Laura are waiting for the bladder. Pa blows it up and they toss it around like a ball. Sounds a bit gross today but it was common place for their time.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
| Alee |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 9:18:13 PM
It sounds great and doing a good old fashioned pork roast sounds so good too! I wish I could come! You'll have to write up a blow by blow journal for us to read!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 7:09:08 PM
What kind of hogs are you going to raise? Will they be a heritage breed? You should go ahead and have some turkeys and meat chickens, too. That way some people could be butchering those. You could have a whole weekend devoted to old time ways. You are on the way to Colorado. Maybe I could plan a week to go visit my brother and sister and stop off at your place on the way. You'll know more about times later, I'm sure.
I was just looking at a site last night called Heritage something. I'll have to go find it. But it's a whole community and they are very self-sufficient. I'd love to go visit them. They have a children's fair and teach old time crafts. It's in the fall, too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 5:20:03 PM
Sarah, I have family just outside Springfield (my parents), I was raised in Carthage, and have family there on top of relatives in Joplin and Republic, and all over Missouri. I could visit alot of people and meet some FG's like you all in one trip. I am really gonna work on figureing out if I can do this or not. Wish me luck!!!
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| Lessie Louise |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 2:06:07 PM
Sarah, I applaud what you are doing, and I wish other people would just think about where food comes from. I am going to try raising chickens for the freezer this year. Four hours is kinda far to drive, we will see how things go closer to fall. Take good care, Carol
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Farmgirl #680! |
| chaddsgirl |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 1:49:31 PM
Lots of people in this area still process their own deer. I know a couple who do their own beef, but it is a LOT of work and you have to be equipped to do something like that and have a locker large enough to age the carcass.
I live in SouthWest Missouri. We're about 1/2 way between Springfield and Joplin. It's only a 2 hour drive to Tulsa from my house. Sadly, Carol, not very close to KC. KC is about a 4 hr drive from where I live. But we'd love to have you if you would like to come!!
I have a few reasons for wanting to take on this project.
First, it's tradition. It seems to me that as the years go by we lose more and more of the old traditions and I'd really like to fight to keep those alive as much as I can.
Second, it's all about self sufficiency. Doing and learning to do things that keep me from relying on grocery stores, etc. makes me very, very happy. I love standing in my kitchen preparing a meal thinking, I grew this in my garden or I raised this beef/chicken/pork myself. Being able to process it with friends and family will be a great learning experience and good practice for everyone.
Third - just like Catherine said, it's a reason to get the family and friends together. And even though it may sound odd to some, I think it will be great fun to have everyone working there together. Our family has done so many work projects together over the years, we realize that it's a great chance to spend time together while accomplishing something at the same time.
Lastly, I will know everything there is to know about how the animal was raised, fed, treated, killed, the whole nine yards.
I'm so excited that so many of you have shown interest and support for this project!! Sheila, I have a few recipe's for canning meat. I would really like to try my hand at canning short ribs. I've heard wonderful things about them though I've never tried them before. But I love ribs, so I think I'll take a stab at it!
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan
Deeperrootsfarm.etsy.com |
| cajungal |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 05:22:00 AM
Sounds great. I grew up in deep south Louisiana and our family would gather together for a "cochon de lait" or a "boucherie".
It was like a family reunion that lasted for days. Y'all will have a blast.
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
| Annab |
Posted - Jan 13 2010 : 03:39:22 AM
Wish we lived a lot closer!
DH and his family used to do this when the grandparents were still living and the temps in NC were still stable and cold enough to do this.
You know, back in December while dring to Ohio, we were passing through pretty Amish country and actually saw a HUGE cow carcas hanging out. Even from the road you could see how big it was.
Have also seen deer hunters do this too.
Hope you have a great turn out |
| Lessie Louise |
Posted - Jan 12 2010 : 3:56:48 PM
Sarah, I live in Mo and might be interested, how close are you to KC?
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Farmgirl #680! |
| pinkroses |
Posted - Jan 12 2010 : 3:44:56 PM
Years ago when I was a little girl
I lived on a really small farm with my family
My grand parents and use to do something like that
they would "put up" the meat
Freezing , canning what have you
I still remember Gran's and Mom's canned pork with the broth
it was so good with biscuits and vegies in the winter
good luck. hugs sheila
www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com
http;//www.sheilascreativewritings.blogspot.com |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jan 12 2010 : 3:32:30 PM
By the way Sarah, what part of Missouri are you in?
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| chaddsgirl |
Posted - Jan 12 2010 : 08:30:33 AM
Teresa, I know it's a ways off. But if you can come, your grandsons will be more than welcome to join in. It would be so wonderful to meet you and your grandsons.
Thanks to all of you with your resounding support! Suzie- mom and dad and I are sort of hoping to do the same thing with chickens as the couple you talked about does with turkeys. Plus, I'm planning to raise our Thanksgiving turkey this year too. Although, if that doesn't work out, at least we'll have ham. LOL!!!
Cindy - I was kind of thinking the same thing. Lots of pictures of the people and "festivities", but I'll probably take pictures of the processing and they can be requested by those who are interested. I would feel so bad to post them on the site where some unsuspecting person might accidentally look at them and be horrified. So, pictured of the processing will be by request only.
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan
Deeperrootsfarm.etsy.com |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 11:11:53 PM
Sarah, sure wish I were closer to you, I'd love to get involved and help out. Well, be sure to take lots of pictures to share with us of the gathering and maybe the rendering. I wouldn't mind pix of the whole process, but others might.
Best of luck with your endeavor.
Cindy
FARMGIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 4:05:47 PM
Sarah, we will talk further into the year, and if its ok, I would love to bring my 2 G/sons with me, they have not been to grammys home state yet. They have been around all aspects of farm/ranch life, and are very helpful and curious about all, the 6 yr old has already helped butcher poultry and rabbits, and is very close to an expert (he says anyway, lol).
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| cheneygal |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 3:46:20 PM
Sarah, that is a great idea, and a way to get some of the community together for some old fashioned fun!! We have a couple that comes into the feed store where I work, and in the early fall they order about 40 white turkey chicks, raise them, and then when they are up to weight invite all their friends and neighbors over for a party, they butcher the turkeys, everyone brings a dish, they eat and celebrate and have a great time, then everyone that was there, goes home with a nice fat Thanksgiving turkey!! Keep the spirit girl!!
live, laugh, love |
| chaddsgirl |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 1:38:32 PM
Thank you very much for your support, Sarah! Coming from a vegetarian that means a lot. I feel exactly the same way about raising animals, especially those who are being raised for the purpose of being eaten. It is important to me that they have a good life in the open air, just living the way God intended for them to live. And that they die as swiftly and peaceably as possible. We are indebted to them. They give their lives so that we can live ours.
Kristin - I sure could use your help rendering the lard! I bought a HUGE cast iron pot (I can barely lift it) expressly for the purpose of rendering lard next fall. Picked it up (figuratively) at a local antique store. I can't wait to use it!
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan
Deeperrootsfarm.etsy.com |
| Sarahpauline |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 1:25:22 PM
Hey Sarah, as one of those vegetarians, I just wanted to show my support. While I dont personally want anything to do with what you are planning, I have to tell you that I admire a person who raises their animals humanely and ensures them a swift and pain-free butchering at home. I think it is the responsibility of all of us to support that.
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 12:25:07 PM
Sarah, I almost had a hog killing here a few times! I raised 4 of them and probably every time they got out I was ready to call in the troops. But I didn't and they went to the butchers. I would love to be in on a good old fashioned hog killing sometime. I hope you get all the help you need. I would help you render the lard. I just did several quarts last month.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| chaddsgirl |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 12:01:07 PM
Oh Teresa that would be wonderful!!! I would LOVE to meet you in person and I'm sure you would be a lot of help too. :)
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan
Deeperrootsfarm.etsy.com |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 11:55:38 AM
My family still all lives in Missouri, maybe, just maybe I can visit them and give you a hand at the same time.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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