What's in a Name?

People often come to visit the farm, see the animals and purchase meat. As we walk around the property they learn all of the ins and outs of how our farm works; we show them where the animals are kept and what kind of food we feed them. They learn about each animal's individual personalities and what their names are, then they ask this question:

"You're not going to eat these ones, are you?"

Part of me wants to respond with "No, I keep the ugly, nameless animals in that shed over there". Instead I smile and say "Yes. We are a farm that raises livestock for meat so at some point I am going to eat her (or him). And, if you are here to purchase sausage, or pork chops, or ground lamb, or bacon, then you too are going to be eating them".

I don't feel heartless when my livestock leaves for "processing". I actually feel like I have provided them the best possible life that they could have asked for up to this point and the proof in in our sweet, stress-free meat. I allow them to have fresh air at all times, access to grass, fruits and vegetables, fluffy soft bedding in an area free of drafts, lots of room to move around, and some good old fashioned scratching and patting behind the ears when they ask. And yes, I name them. I name each and every one of the animals whether they are going for meat or staying for breeding. I never consume a piece of ham without knowing exactly what I am eating, or rather "who" I am eating. The pork in my freezer right now came from Sunflower. She was on our farm for 8 months and was a real joy to watch. Her favorite thing to eat was tomatoes and on days that we fed milk she would run as fast as her little pig legs could carry her to the feeder and stand in it as she drank, making sure that there was no room left for the other girls to get in until she was finished. She was a really nice berkshire that would chew on my boots when I wasn't paying enough attention to her and I gave her all that I had to offer a pig. I respected her. In return I have beautifully flavoured food that nourishes my friends and family which was grown without the use of antibiotics or hog grower.

If you choose to eat meat then you are choosing to eat an animal. At the same time you can make the choice to eat one that was grown with love and kindness rather than concrete stalls and battery cages. You can choose to consume something that had a name and was respected rather than a number and vaccination history. 

I guess the take-home message that I would like for people to get from this is:

It's not that the chicken mcnugget from McDonalds or package of lean ground beef from Sobeys didn't have a personality, it's that no one took the time to get to know it. This is where I feel we have a problem with our food. A total disconnect and I hope we can turn it around. Anyone and everyone is welcome on our farm, we would love for you to come and meet your meat!

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