Boulder Meadows Farm is the passion project of Aaron and Kaitlyn, local New Hampshire natives who describe themselves as farm-steading extraordinaries and lovers of the land. Since 2016, they have been committed to practicing restorative farming, driven by an effort to become non-reliant on Big Food and commercial farming. What began as raising four conventional grain-fed hogs in their first year quickly grew into a larger operation, expanding their herd from five to six, then ten, and eventually twelve pigs over the following years.

The turning point came when Aaron and Kaitlyn discovered the Idaho Pasture Pig, a breed developed in 2010 as a crossbreed of Berkshire, Duroc and Kunekune pigs. After struggling with the substantial grain consumption, land destruction, and escapist tendencies of conventional pigs, they found their solution in this remarkable breed. In January 2022, they purchased their first IPPs, a registered breeding pair named Johnny and June after Johnny Cash and June Carter, along with five IPP piglets to raise as feeders. The Idaho Pasture Pigs proved to have an innate desire to graze on grass rather than root it up, requiring only about an eighth of the grain needed by conventional pigs while consuming grasses high in protein and nutrients.

The transformation was nothing short of awe-inspiring for the couple. Their rotational grazing pattern allowed them to witness their land flourishing rather than being destroyed, with fields and pens fuller than ever with deep, rich green grass. The first taste of their pasture-raised pork revealed marbling and deeper red coloring that resembled grass-fed beef, a stark contrast to conventional grain-fed pork. Eight years and counting of hog farming has taught them immensely, and they feel truly blessed to have found the IPP breed while providing clean pork to both their family and their expanding customer base.

Meat

• Pork

Eggs

• Eggs

Pantry/Other

• Jam