Yesterday the farm work was of a different nature–community building and education. We are so lucky to have some great organizations in our area doing a great work of bringing farmers together and offering up to date training on a variety of topics. So yesterday we made the journey to Taylor’s Falls (about an hour away) to learn all about raising Mangalitsa pigs.

These pigs are a fat-type heritage breed from Austria and Hungary. Not many years ago there were less then 200 left in the world. Stephen Jones and Cristina Cruz-Jones have taken their restaurant background and passion for food to farming and a beautiful union was born.

They have found a good niche market to foodies and local restaurants serving foodies. Last year then “finished” 4 hogs and this year they upped the number to 18.

Of course the children really wanted to touch them.

Stephen and Cristina are a passionate young couple about our age, with 2 girls, age 7 and 2. And they had a beautiful farm–one that gives us hope we might one day find our dream farm.

Also on the farm were a couple favorites–

Llamas,

a somewhat crazy Crested Polish Rooster who had been through alot an is now retired,

And a tree frog.

They have 20 acres and a lot of fun on their place.

The plastic boots were fun. I guess they are an important way to protect the animals from diseases transported between farms. What a great day.