07/23/2026
This year.
My seventeenth year of keeping pigs—
Has been very different.
Partially because life as both a farmer and restauranteur has permanently altered the patterns of the day-to-day…. Partially because the economic landscape is different ….
Perhaps, maybe, because we’re all seeking something that’s harder and harder to find—balance and purpose.
There are so many voices amongst the groups and forums that have popped up dedicated to our breed.
Declaring vehemently that THIS IS THE WAY…
Poised and ready to instruct and mentor and guide— anyone that they can reach.
I’ve been sitting, mostly quietly, knowing and recognizing that trends and times all flow by …but I do want to say:
…in our small corner of life. Nothing is ever ‘always’ and ‘never’. No ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ exist.
Intuition, humanity, humility, necessity…productivity and purpose—these are the guardrails of successful pig keeping.
We’ve lived a bit. And built some dreams.
Black Valley Farm is still standing strong.
We’re not ‘selling out’.
Nor are we ‘goin’ big’ at the moment.
…we’re sustaining.
A farm, a family, a restaurant, a breed, our sister herd, Kunekune Preserve, hand-in-hand with Cyndi Berry.
If pigs seem right for you, if you’re in the market.
We’re just here.
Hoeing our own row!
…we invest as little or as much time into mentoring you as you please. We’ll cheer you on for sure.
The Kunekune breed is our life’s passion.
…if you feel it should be yours as well—we’ve pigs to sell.
Happy Thursday friends!
Cheers to everyone out there living the day-to-day and keeping their chins up!
Pigs help! 🐽