Nigh Ox Newsletter

December 2001

Butchering On The Farm

Another season has come and gone, and fall harvest was nearly done, but for the pigs. Tillers kept two pigs this year for compost turning, furthering livestock tending skills, and the extra meat for the freezer. Instead of Tillers staff butchering the pigs as they had done last year, we invited volunteers to come and learn while helping. There was a surprising turnout. Herb Nehring, Kris Svenson, John Sarge, and Martin Erhardt were joined by Leonard Hensel, who donated the pigs, Michael Knapp, Joseph and Marsha Mahaney, Mark Maier, Ralph Cole, Ben Baily, his wife, new born son, and sister, and Joe Roetter and his son, Luke. With so many people working, it took only two days to get all the pork cut and wrapped, the hams and bacons curing, and scrapple and lard rendered. Thanks to all the volunteers for their work in this task.