Jo, who runs the farm, will raise Natale outdoors on grassland for us but we shall be visiting regularly to monitor his progress, in fact everyone is welcome to go and see him and the rest of this working organic farm - a word of advice - don't wear the brand new white leather trainers you just got on special offer at TK Maxx as the pigs seem to like nibbling them and they will only be fit for the bin afterwards - I know this from bitter experience!
We hope to make our own prosciutto and salami with the help of our local catering college, (Thomas Danby campus at Leeds City College), and also we shall be celebrating pork in all it's glory with a special dinner in the salumeria sometime in September where we shall utilise everything the noble beast has to offer.
Swillington Organic Farm is a wonderful Leeds resource where it is possible to buy 'shares' in a pig or even the pre - Victorian Walled Orchard so as the vegetables come into season you get a share of them when they are at their best.
What a great idea and you get amazing award winning produce to boot! For more info on Community Supported Agriculture see their website http://swillingtonorganicfarm.co.uk/csa.html
The walled orchard was in a state of severe disrepair until the farm started restoration work. It had two walls of brick, like double glazing I suppose, with fires lit in the cavities to heat the wall and provide a better climate for the fruit trees.It's very interesting to see how different methods were used in the past to ensure we got our 5 a day, now the kiss ass government subsidies to International big business (hey Farmer Gilles - forget it, there's nowt for you in the pot) means we can fly apples all the way from New Zealand and they are as cheap as ones grown at the bottom of my garden - what a crying shame the only incentive local farmers have to grow nice things is.......... I don't really know of any - does anyone?