Polyface Farms

Polyface or "the farm of many faces" is a local farming operation located in Swoope, Virginia. This farm utilizes a variety of environmentally friendly agricultural practices including free range animal living conditions and grass feeding. As I mentioned in a previous article, Polyface also incorporates several unconventional farming practices in the mix. Techniques such as "pigaerating" (see The Pigaerator!) keep their animals fat and happy. The Salatin family, the owners of Polyface, boast five guiding principles in their commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly farming. They promise to adhere to transparency, grass-based feeding practices, individuality, community, nature's template, and last but not least, earthworms! Click on the link to check out the Polyface website and to learn more about their unique farming practices.

Find them here!

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Also, click through the slideshow to see some of the shots I took during my visit to the farm.

The Pigaerator!

Last weekend I visited Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, and I had the opportunity to witness the rare "pigaerator" process that only takes place for a short period of time. The farm staff members explained that first their cows feed on hay and produce manure in the barn. After that, the cows pack down this mixture of manure and hay, and this process effectively ferments the bedding. Corn is then added into the mixture, and the pigs are brought in to root around in the bedding for their prize. The "pigaerator" essentially refers to the aeration that takes place when the pigs dig in the ground for the corn. The resulting well oxygenated and composted soil provides nutrients for the farm's croplands. Check out some of the pictures I took of the cute little piggies!

The pigs work hard to find the corn!

The "pigaerator" at work

Food Documentaries

Speaking from experience, you can learn a lot about the world around you just by queuing up a good documentary on Netflix. So, here is a list of a few of my favorite documentaries that focus on sustainable food practices and the environment. Enjoy!

1. Food Inc. (featuring Polyface Farm's own Joel Salatin!)

2. Fresh

3. King Corn

4. Super Size Me (discusses the horrors of the "fast food diet")

5. Dirt: The Movie (I haven't personally see this one yet, but I've heard good things)

Check them out, and let me know what you think!