Hearth & Homestead April 2021

Page 28

A Taste of America’s Heritage in Carmine Written by REGINA KEILERS Jesse and Wendy McDaniel are not your run of the mill hog farmers. Both of them used to work in the city of Houston for a major airline. After several years in that industry, they both got tired of the urban rat race and decided it was time for a change. They made the decision to move to the country and start a farm. Wendy is a native of Fayette County, so for her, it was coming back home, while her husband, Jesse was a native of Houston. He had a bit more of an adjustment moving here.

Why the Guinea Hog?

Once they bought some land, they decided to start raising Guinea Hogs and while there are other critters on their farm in Carmine, Guinea Hogs are their main focus.

The Guinea Hog is unusual among American swine breeds in that it has never been bred for commercial production not put into a show ring. Historic selection in the breed was based on the traits important to survival of the Guinea Hog breed. As a result,

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Well, the American Guinea Hog is the ideal, sustainable, heritage farm pig, known for its moderate size, excellent foraging abilities, friendly temperament, excellently flavored meat, and indispensable lard. While the American Guinea Hog is smaller than industrial hog breeds, it is a good-sized farm pig, providing a nice, well-marbled carcass. This is not your normal grain-fed hog, it is truly a grass-fed animal.


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