Bob Comis operates Stony Brook Farm in Schoharie New York where he and his wife pasture raise heritage breed pigs, lamb, goat and poultry. In his posts, Bob shares his thoughts on farming, regional food systems, and how it all could be better and different.

For about six weeks out of the year, a few in fall and a few in spring, my pigs would be better off in a (well managed) confinement barn than on my farm. Right now they are living in foot deep shit mud.

It makes me sad, and angry at myself for not having put in place a better option for them yet.

The best way to raise pigs over the winter, including especially those six weeks, is in deep bedded hoop barns. Hoop barns are an integral part of the farm’s future. However, they are a year or two away.

Being the absolutely fateful creatures that they are, the pigs don’t care about the shit mud, but I do.