Eliza MacLean will be presenting a session on: Finishing Pigs and Working with your Meat Processor. Pigs can thrive in many management systems, but attention must be paid
to the finished product, i.e. marbling, fat cap and flavor. Deciding
how to finish, process, and market these animals is as important as
getting them to grow. Learn about the fundamental elements of herd
health and diet, working with your butcher or processor, and selling
your finished product.
The SSAWG 2009 Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference will be held January 21-24, 2009 at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
This conference will provide you with the practical tools and solutions you need to be successful in your farming enterprise, your community foods projects and your advocacy and outreach work.
The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group — commonly known
as "Southern SAWG" — is the region's non-profit leader
in creating a sustainable food and farming system. Their programs
and activities are aimed at helping family farms and those working
to improve community food systems in the Southern region of the United States.
Southern SAWG provides learning opportunities for farmers and agricultural professionals, and tools and support for farmer entrepreneurs. We promote communication and collaboration between farmers, consumers and community organizations, and foster the development of food systems that are more secure. We develop grassroots leadership in the sustainable agriculture movement, and empower constituents to change policies that impact farm communities.
About Eliza MacLean (NC) In 2000, Eliza began managing hog
herds at NCA&T State University. MacLean immediately realized she'd found
her calling, and soon starting working full time in a partnership with Niman
Ranch, Heifer International, NCA&T University and with the Gold Leaf
Foundation—focusing on transitioning long time tobacco farmers across the state
into family pig farms. After launching the program with Gold Leaf, Niman Ranch
hired MacLean to be their representative, evaluating farms and meat quality for
their fledgling North Carolina hog production. In 2003, Eliza began her farm,
raising pastured Ossabaw Island Hogs, Ossabaw Crosses, and Farmer's Hybrid hogs.
Learn more about the farm here: www.canecreekfarm.us/
Session: "Finishing Pigs and Working with your Meat Processor"
