Southern SOIL
Small Farm
Spotlight
I n t h is series, g et t o kn o w mo re a b o u t t h e sma ll far m o p era t io n s t h a t a re u sin g su st a in a b le met h o d s t o help meet t h e lo ca l d ema n d f o r f resh f o o d . An d meet the f a rmers t h a t a re ma kin g it h a p p en !
As a fifth generation farmer from the Waycross
created for and they love it. Happy pigs! Very
area, Phillip Hickox is bringing the family farm full
humanely raised,” Phillip explained. “They get
circle by leaving behind conventional practices
the sun, they get loaded down with vitamin D, of
and embracing growing traditions from earlier
course, it’s so much better for you. But it’s also
generations.
much richer tasting meat when they’re eating grass.”
Phillip grew up helping out on the family farm, but when he chose to take up hog farming for himself
Phillip raises heritage breed hogs chosen for
he chose a different path than that of his father
their quality meat and their proclivity for grazing.
and grandfather. Instead of being confined on
He chooses primarily Berkshires, but has also
concrete and fattened on feed, the hogs of Hickox
incorporated Duroc into his herd.
Family Farm enjoy life on the land - grazing on 16
pastures, rolling in mud and soaking up sunshine.
“Everything I’ve got on this farm is at least 75 percent Berkshire to 100 percent, some have a
“These (hogs) are doing exactly what God
little Duroc in them, both are heritage breeds.
intended them to do, they’re doing what they were
Berkshire is known for its marbling, it’s not a fat
