Yesterday marked a first for me, we had a complete hog harvest right here on the homestead. We’ve harvested hogs before, but they went to the local butcher. The local butcher became unexpectedly unavailable at our harvest time, so it was time to try for ourselves. I participated in the whole event, start to finish. I helped prepare the pigs for dispatch, move them, skin the carcass and gut the carcass. I did all the meat cuts on a half hog. It was exhausting but necessary process. I learned a lot!
With that experience complete, I’m feeling a deep sense of pride in myself for being capable of this (and being willing!). It makes me incredibly pleased to be so involved in a process that provides our family with hyper-local food that was raised with love. Yes, we greatly enjoy the meat, and yes, we know the name of the pig it comes from. More about this in my thoughts here:
In Response to a Hog Harvest
I raised this pig.
I watched her be born.
I watched her grow.
I watched her lazily wallow in the mud on hot days.
I watched her take cozy shelter in the hay on cold.
I fed this pig by giving her a pasture to graze.
I shared with her my garden goodies.
I was loyal, I cared for her.
She gave me laughs, and perhaps a few moments of frustration.
Don’t most relationships?
I gave her back scratches.
In return, she warmed my heart.
I knew from the start what she would be.
Because of this I cared for her even more.
I provided for her.
Now, she provides for me.
That is ethical.
That is responsible.
That is hyper-local food.
That defines her and that defines me.
That is something I take pride in.
That is my homestead life.
Wishing you peace, love and nature,
-L
whiteskywoods.com 
I admire your courage and participation. We tend to make pets of animals. Some are not that and were not purchased or raised to be so. We are omnivores since ancient hunting mankind. Now we raise our meat with good food and know everything the animal has eaten. I am happy for your family to have that wonderful food. i once helped process a deer carcass and the smell of the warm flesh bothered me for I was used to refrigerated from the store. I had had a similar experience in my Poultry science lab at MSU long ago. But one adjusts to life be it a homesteader, a farmer, a nurse or doctor or any other time we face experiences that at first we are sensitive.Good job and we all love bacon !
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