There has been a lot happening behind the scenes at Trinity Farms this summer. Some of it is easy to see—the animals growing, projects taking shape around the farm, and new products being offered. Other progress has involved planning, researching, building systems, and making decisions that we hope will serve our family and our customers for many years to come.
At the heart of all of it is the same goal: to continue building Trinity Farms into a family farm that provides wholesome, locally raised food while being good stewards of the animals, land, and opportunities God has entrusted to us.
The Little John’s Heritage Pork Hogs Are Growing
One of the biggest additions to the farm this year has been our Little John’s Heritage Pork program.
We brought home our first group of six feeder pigs on June 20. They were approximately 40 pounds each when they arrived, and a little over two months later they have already grown to more than 100 pounds.
They have certainly changed since that first day on the farm!
The pigs are heritage-breed crosses selected with the goal of producing pork with excellent flavor and eating quality. Rather than simply trying to get them to market weight as quickly and cheaply as possible, we are developing a feeding program designed around healthy growth, good body condition, and ultimately a high-quality finished product.
Their ration includes corn, rolled barley, minerals, and nutritional supplements. We have continued adjusting the ration as the pigs grow so their nutritional needs are matched to each stage of development.
They also have access to the outdoors, where they can root, explore, and act like pigs. Watching them grow has reinforced our belief that heritage pork can become an important part of Trinity Farms.
Our goal is for these pigs to finish around the 330-pound range before processing this winter. From there, we plan to offer pork through both larger purchases and several smaller curated pork boxes for families who may not have the freezer space—or need—for an entire hog.
Jake’s Homestead Eggs Are Almost Here
Another project we are excited about is Jake’s Homestead Eggs.
Our young pullets have been growing throughout the summer and should begin laying any day now.
Anyone who has raised young hens knows there is a fair amount of anticipation involved in waiting for that first egg. The birds gradually start looking less like chicks and more like mature hens, and you begin checking the nesting boxes a little more closely each day.
We have also been working on their feeding program to make sure they receive the nutrition they need as they transition from growing pullets into laying hens.
Our flock is pasture-raised, and the goal for Jake’s Homestead Eggs is straightforward: provide our family and local customers with fresh eggs from healthy hens raised here on the farm.
The name is also particularly meaningful to us.
Jake is our youngest son, and at five years old he already has a tremendous interest in the farm. He wants to be involved in just about everything that happens here. Giving him an enterprise that can grow alongside him is one small way of making Trinity Farms truly a family operation rather than simply a farm that happens to be owned by our family.
Hopefully, before long, we will be able to share a picture of the first Jake’s Homestead Egg.
Growing the Farm Without Losing Sight of Why
Perhaps the biggest project underway at Trinity Farms isn't a barn, a new livestock enterprise, or a piece of equipment.
It is deciding what kind of farm we want Trinity Farms to become.
We want it to remain a family farm.
We want our children to have the opportunity to participate in it and, if they someday feel called to do so, carry it into another generation.
We want to raise animals responsibly.
We want to produce food that we are proud to put on our own family's table.
And we want to know the people who are putting that food on theirs.
That means growth has to be intentional. There will always be another piece of equipment we could buy, another enterprise we could start, or another way we could expand. The challenge—and an important part of stewardship—is determining which opportunities actually move the farm toward its mission.
We won't get every decision right, but we're trying to build patiently, learn from each group of animals and each growing season, and keep improving.
Fall Is Coming
As summer begins turning toward fall, there is plenty more ahead.
The pigs will continue growing toward their winter processing date. We will hopefully begin gathering the first eggs from our pullets. Fall forage work will begin, and we will continue improving the systems that support everything from livestock care to our website and direct-to-customer sales.
We are also once again offering locally sourced fall mums through Trinity Farms this September, giving our customers another opportunity to support local agriculture as the seasons change.
Most importantly, we are grateful for everyone who has followed along, purchased from us, encouraged our family, or simply asked how things are going.
Trinity Farms is still very much a work in progress.
But there is something exciting about looking around the farm and realizing that ideas we have talked about for years are slowly becoming real.
One pig, one egg, one pasture, one project, and one season at a time.
Founded on Faith. Built by Family. Growing for the Future.
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