Broadview has recently welcomed 8 new additions  to the farm!  These little cuties are Berkshire piglets, and they are making themselves quite at home.  They are currently housed in the farm’s “pig barn,” eating all-natural feed for a few months until they are big enough to defend themselves from predators like coyotes.  Soon, they will be out in the fields and forests with their big brothers and sisters.  Until then, they are spending their time learning to root around in daily-supplied fresh mulch– good training for their upcoming time in the forests.  This keeps their curly tails wagging (literally!) and makes for happy, healthy piglets.  We hope you can come meet them soon!

 This past week, I helped out with moving Broadview’s pigs from one 5-acre wooded paddock into a new, fresh one.   The proccess involved setting up temporary fencing along the road between the two paddocks and herding the pigs along about a fifth of a mile.  If anyone has doubts about the high spirits and health of these pigs, all they need to do is come try herding them!  The pigs are smart and playful, giving us a run for our money in terms of who is leading who.  Eventually, though, we were successful and the pigs made it safely into their new pasture.  They are loving rooting up all that fresh new soil in search of hidden goodies!

It’s summertime, and that means it’s time for interns! Broadview welcomes our first
intern of the season, Susan Watkins, to the team. Susan was born and raised in Virginia
Beach, VA and attended Christopher Newport University with me. She just completed
a year of graduate school and has decided to take a break from studies in order to get some hands on experience in the agricultural industry. When I asked Susan what made her decide on working with Broadview, she said it was the opportunity to engage meaningfully and responsibly with nature. She is hoping to learn as much as possible about all of the different aspects of running a ranch like Broadview. As a result, she will be splitting her time between animal care with the farm manager, Bryn, and business development with me. Next time you’re on the farm, look for her and she’ll be glad to share more of her experience with you!

Alice Park’s article, What’s Lurking in Your Meat and Poultry? Probably Staph, published in Time Magazine reports on a study that shows the presence of a new multi-drug resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. This Bacteria is reportedly not even monitored by the US Department of Agriculture as it has not been previously known as a food born pathogen. Researchers conclude that the cause of this now drug resistant bacteria is the overuse of antibiotics particularly to increase production yields. Take a moment to read this article and give yourself a pat on the back for using Broadview Ranch and our naturally raised meats. http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/15/whats-lurking-in-your-meat-and-poultry-probably-staph/

We have always been concerned for our animals’ welfare. That is how we were raised. Over the past few years, the farm shifted to rotational grazing, added pigs and chickens and began selling meat directly to consumers. This has brought the difference between natural stockmanship and industrial farming in stark contrast. We were a bit surprised. It seems so obvious that happy animals are a pleasure to be around; that calm animals have fewer illnesses and injuries; and that trusting animals are easier to handle. Research proves calm animals tast better. Adrenaline, uric acid, and other chemicals released during the ‘flight or fight’ reaction rushes to the meat. These chemicals just do not taste good. This is not new information but it seems the modern age has forgotten it. What we thought was old-fashioned good stewardship of the animals and land has turned out to be cutting edge. Besides we just like it when our animals are happy.

Photo by: Currie FitzHugh http://www.curriefitzhughphotography.com/blog/

We are pleased to introduce our new sales manager, Rebecca Tilson.  Rebecca is homegrown, raised on Broadview Ranch living the charmed life of a farmer’s (me) daughter, bottle feeding calves and riding ponies.  She is a graduate of Christopher Newport University.  We have lured her away of from her job as territory manager for World Equestrian Brands, LLC to come home and market our products.   We are very happy to have Rebecca to give the marketing side of our operation the attention it deserves.  For most of you Rebecca will be the face of Broadview, she will be happy to talk to you and help you in any way that she can.

Country Folks Magazine recently published an article on Broadview Ranch. Check out the article and the good folks at Country Folks by following the link below:

Broadview Ranch loosens reins on Mother Nature