Mother Nature's Trail Mix

What if I told you that the secret to the most flavorful pork lies hidden in the Ozark forests?

As a 5th-generation Arkansan, my roots run deep in the Ozarks. Life in these hardscrabble mountains has always demanded ingenuity. Making a living off the land is about as easy as teaching a pig to fly. But let me tell you a little secret about these hills - they're a piggy paradise.

Back in the day, farmers in rugged mountain ranges like the Ozarks and Smokies would let their pigs roam free in the forests.  These porcine adventurers would feast on a smorgasbord of nature's finest:

• Acorns and chestnuts (Mother Nature's trail mix)

• Wild berries and fruits (for that balanced diet, you know)

• Roots and bulbs (underground treasures)

• Insects (protein snacks, anyone?)

To keep track of who owned which pig, farmers got creative. They'd use "earmarks" - unique patterns of notches, slits, and holes cut into the pigs' ears. These were often registered with the county court, like a piggy passport.

So when Andrea and I first started our farm, with some land that would give a mountain goat vertigo, we knew forested pigs were in our future. But instead of earmarks, we use electric fencing to give our pigs an all-access pass to the forest while keeping them safe, sound, and contained.

Now, you might be thinking, "Cody, why haven't I heard about this 'forested pork' before?" Well, hold onto your bacon, folks, because here's the sobering truth:

About 97% of all pork in the U.S. comes from pigs that have never felt the sun on their backs or the earth under their hooves. They live their entire lives in what some folks call "confinement lots" - think pig factories, not pig paradises.

The Grass Roots Difference

At Grass Roots, we do things differently. Our pigs live their whole lives outdoors, mostly in the wooded parts of our farms. We call it "forested" or "pastured" pork, and let me tell you, once you go forested, you'll never go back!

The Proof is in the Pork

We don't just talk the talk - we've got the numbers to back it up:

• Our pork chops contain 481mg of total omega-3 per 100g serving - that's about 10 times higher than conventionally raised pork!

• Our ground pork boasts 650mg of omega-3 per 100g serving, compared to 250mg in conventional pork.

• The long-chain omega-3 in our ground pork (112mg per 100g) is about half the recommended daily serving for heart health.

So there you have it, folks. Forested pork isn't just a taste revolution - it's a win for your health, the environment, and those amazing animals we're so proud to raise.

Ready to bring a little forested pork to your fork? Check out our new, curated Pasture Raised Pork Box. It's 20 pounds of porky perfection at our best price. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

Your farmer, Cody