Meeting Our Meat

K has been a dedicated vegetarian for the past 11 years. C flirted with veganism in a previous life and kept veggie for K's sake before coming to the farm. Because of this, it surprises some people that we have no problem with the killing and eating of animals. We didn't start this blog to harp on about the crimes of factory farming (if you're really curious, see the link to “Meet your Meat” below) but we will say that they are so heinous that they have kept us off (most) meat for a long time.

Real farms, those few that remain, are nothing like the filthy concentration camps where most Americans get their meat from. Instead of misery and confinement, the animals on the farms where we've worked get open spaces, fresh air and – we like to think – contentment.

The best sustainable agriculture models itself after nature, so animals are an essential element. Animals provide fertilizer and pest control, eating ground weeds, brush, and insects while excreting free fertilizer. And in addition to eliminating the needs for harmful chemical herbicides and fertilizer salts they offer a healthy protein source for the human farmers.

But what about their FEELINGS, our hysterical critics cry. Don't you orgo-whatever hippies get your filthy coveralls in a bunch about the suffering of the poor widdle creatures? Well, no. We could already see that the animals on the farm lived good lives – we knew they were well cared for since we were doing the caring – and, the theory goes, humane harvest would give them a good death.

Theory, however, is one thing and reality is another. We'd seen the good life firsthand, but how could we know about a “good” death until we had seen, and delivered, it ourselves?

The opportunity came quickly. S&K were having a party. One of the guests would be a chef from San Francisco. He would be willing to make a special meal, but only if we could provide a special ingredient.

It was time to harvest a few ducks.

And not just ducks. Sheep and rooster were done as well, though not all at once. We know we've been away for a while and have a lot to catch up on, so we're going to devote the next several posts to intentional death of animals.