The Boar & Chick Veenstra Family Farm is the combination of 2 parts passion for local agriculture and 1 part dream come true! Our farm is situated on 50 acres in the historic hamlet of Troy, ON, 30 minutes northwest of Hamilton. It was originally homesteaded by the Hunter Family and the farm has had a rich and varied history. In fact, our home has the distinct honour of being the first in Troy to have a flush toilet installed! An auspicious occasion that had many of the neighbours around to try it out!A drive through our neighbourhood is living proof that agriculture is still alive and well in this part of Ontario. Cash crop farmers, dairy, beef and sheep farmers, as well as horse breeders and even maple syrup producers all live in the area and make a living in partnership with the land.
- 5 week old Berkshire Piglets
At the Boar & Chick we specialize in pastured pork! We have taken a traditional approach to agriculture on our farm. Focusing on natural practices that have proven themselves for many, many years but which have been abondoned by industrial pig farmers. We have had many people stop on the side of the road to watch our pigs foraging in their enclosure or cooling in their ‘piggy pond’. We welcome these people to have a close look at our Berkshires. They are curious, friendly, incredibly intelligent and social animals that are as interested in you as you are in them.
They are fed a natural diet of barley, rolled oats and alfalfa and we raise them slow. Typically it is between 10 and 11 months before our pigs are ready for slaughter. This slow raising technique makes a marbled and tender meat that you cannot find in commercial pork! We have turned many people back into pork lovers with our product and we have even managed to turn a few vegetarians into meat eaters again!!
Welcome to our farm! It is a place of love, laughter and adventure. You are welcome to share in our story as we strive to run a sustainable agricultural business inspired by the traditional family farm!
The Boar & Chick Veenstra family farm uses as many forms of social media as we can maintain! You can follow us at twitter at: www.twitter.com/theboarandchick or you can find us on facebook at: www.facebook.com/theboarchick. We would love to hear from you all!
Cheers and happy eating!
Mark & Tania Veenstra