A Tuesday in September saw out our last slaughter for 2020 with the processing of 6 beef and 3 hogs by our favorite butchers… It also happened to be our 2nd wedding anniversary. At first thought, it sure seemed like a weird way to spend our wedding anniversary, but on second thought, maybe not.

You see, when our animals are slaughtered it’s the culmination of many months and years of our hard work – a testament of our efforts together, as my mother pointed out. She further explained that not many couples get to share and experience that which we do; the beginning and ending of so many creature’s lives, their affections for us and fun antics, and the difficult decisions we have to make on how, when, and what we do on our farm. And it is true.

So, on the same date, and in the same place – where 2 years before we were dressed in our finest, our barn adorned with beautiful flowers and filled with music and people we love all celebrating our commitment to each other – we expressed our thanks to 9 animals for the giving of their bodies, and then respectfully and gently ended their lives. Indeed, the culmination and testament of our efforts together as a couple: To bring conscientiously and humanely raised nourishment to all of you folks out there that believe, as we do, tending to ALL creatures, even the ones we eat, with love, compassion and kindness, always.