Matt and Rachel Palma of Restoration Acres Farm have been raising pigs in woodlands and on pasture for 7 years, with the last 2 years being right here at Mountain Run Farm. What started as 2 hogs in 2014 has grown into a rotating 85+ hog herd, with up to 200 being finished every year. For many folks, the thought of a hog farm brings up images of concrete floor buildings, barren landscapes, mud lots, and destruction. The Palma’s, however, have capitalized on a system for raising their hogs that regenerates the landscape, restores ecosystems and builds soil, all while producing a superior and nutrient dense product. Utilizing electric fencing, the pigs are moved every 7-10 days to fresh ground. This movement is crucial to regenerating the landscape and keeping the pigs healthy.

The beneficial impact of the pigs include

1. Aerating the soil and disturbing ancient seed banks in the ground,
2. Clearing out the landscape allowing solar energy to promote diversified plant growth, eventually creating a dappled shade pasture paradise
3. Carbon sequestration/induction from all the plant regrowth,
4. Nutrient deposits to feed the soil from their manure and urine,
5. Maintaining wildlife habitats, and much more!

This year at the Jam, join Matt and Rachel on a walking tour to visit the pig herd and along the way, see and discuss the benefits the land has seen in the areas the pigs have impacted.