Why Niman Ranch supports independent family farms and ranchesNiman Ranch works with traditional and sustainable U.S. farms and ranches. Our Farmers are dedicated to the welfare of their farm animals.
We believe that supporting America's independant farmers and ranchers is vital to our nation's future. People who own the land they're working and living on have a greater stake in protecting the long term health of their land and the welfare of their animals than absentee industrial operators.
By working with family farms and ranches, we are helping to strengthen rural America and reverse the destructive trend of industrial agriculture. In addition to providing a market for livestock, the Niman Ranch network provides a mechanism for farmers and ranchers to communicate and learn from one another about best practices for their animals and land.
We are inspired by and proud of the families that are part of Niman Ranch - many of whom are second generation partners in our network. Family farmers and ranchers are the keepers of traditional farming knowledge, information that is vital to protect and pass on to future generations.
Meet Niman Ranch family farmer Andy Pachay
Michigan
Andy Pachay and his wife,
Amy, were
Niman Ranch's first farmers in the state of Michigan. They have been with us since 2003 and raise between 700 and 800 hogs per year on their beautiful rolling pastures. The hogs are a combination of Duroc, Berkshire, Chester White, and Farmer's Hybrid, selected for their ability to thrive on pasture, and producing flavorful pork. Andy continues in his father's footsteps by raising corn, soybeans and hogs. He has also added a pasture sheep operation and sells many lambs locally.
Since he started farming, Andy has always had hogs on pasture and couldn't bring himself to build a confinement operation. Andy felt certain that such an operation was neither a good place for pigs nor an environment that would be good place to work for him and his family.
Andy first became interested in
Niman Ranch when he felt as though the market was not rewarding the extra care they took in raising their hogs. After reading a story about Paul Willis in a farming magazine, complete with inspiring pictures of healthy looking pigs farrowing in a bed of straw, he contacted the company to learn more.
Andy and Amy have three children. Their youngest has already taken an interest in working with his father and has developed a loyal following for the free range eggs he sells at local farmer's markets. Andy enjoys working outside and watching the sows build nests and care for the baby pigs. He and Amy are important members of our farmer network and they are hopeful that
Niman Ranch will be able to preserve the important heritage of family farmers throughout the country.