Producer
Bear Creek Piggery
Contact: Benjamin & Jessica Pierce
Address: 936 350th Avenue Grinnell, IA, 50112
Phone: 417-247-6339
About Us
Benjamin & Jessica Pierce have operated Bear Creek Piggery just northeast of Grinnell, IA since 2014 producing pork raised on fresh outdoor sunshine and locally milled feed. Hereford pigs, sometimes crossed with Red Wattle, Mangalitsa, or Hampshire pigs, are our favorite for their good looks, great personalities, and sturdy nature.
In 2016, we entertained the dream of a 100% grass fed and finished beef herd by introducing a pretty little Angus heifer, Jill, to the farm. “Jilly-Cow” is now the matriarch of a small herd of Angus and Dexters, a dual purpose heritage breed. The Dexters’ smaller frame improves accessibility to the average family wishing to purchase quarters and halves. Our goal is to raise incredibly happy animals resulting in clean, healthy, tasty meat for our own table and we are thrilled to be able to offer the same to you for your table!
In 2016, we entertained the dream of a 100% grass fed and finished beef herd by introducing a pretty little Angus heifer, Jill, to the farm. “Jilly-Cow” is now the matriarch of a small herd of Angus and Dexters, a dual purpose heritage breed. The Dexters’ smaller frame improves accessibility to the average family wishing to purchase quarters and halves. Our goal is to raise incredibly happy animals resulting in clean, healthy, tasty meat for our own table and we are thrilled to be able to offer the same to you for your table!
Practices
The pigs are raised outdoors with locally-milled feed, and access to shelter. They get sprinkler sessions to ease the summer heat and they love fresh mulberry branches!
Cows summer on green grass on a rotation of diverse crops polyculture pastures and winter on house-made grass/alfalfa hay. Our cows are unique in that we never feed any grain or corn, not even to finish though that is common practice for most “grass-fed” farms. This approach requires more time and patience, but results in an incredibly nutritious and delicious product. The sunshine flavor is noticeable!
Medications: None of our animals receive any routine chemical interventions. We use natural home remedies in the rare cases that somebody is injured or struggling. We would only consider using conventional therapies when absolutely necessary for their well-being and, depending on the situation, these individuals would not continue in our normal program.
Chemical Exposure: We are in the heart of row crop country. We avoid chemical exposure as far as it lies within our control. Thankfully, our main hay ground is adjacent to a natural produce farm.
Stewardship: We take our contribution the welfare of animal and land very seriously. We aim to leave genetics, soil, land, and biodiversity better than we found it while providing quality nutrition to our community.
Cows summer on green grass on a rotation of diverse crops polyculture pastures and winter on house-made grass/alfalfa hay. Our cows are unique in that we never feed any grain or corn, not even to finish though that is common practice for most “grass-fed” farms. This approach requires more time and patience, but results in an incredibly nutritious and delicious product. The sunshine flavor is noticeable!
Medications: None of our animals receive any routine chemical interventions. We use natural home remedies in the rare cases that somebody is injured or struggling. We would only consider using conventional therapies when absolutely necessary for their well-being and, depending on the situation, these individuals would not continue in our normal program.
Chemical Exposure: We are in the heart of row crop country. We avoid chemical exposure as far as it lies within our control. Thankfully, our main hay ground is adjacent to a natural produce farm.
Stewardship: We take our contribution the welfare of animal and land very seriously. We aim to leave genetics, soil, land, and biodiversity better than we found it while providing quality nutrition to our community.