Why Niman Ranch supports independent family farms and ranches
Niman 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 Arvid and Lois Jovaag
Minnesota
In 1981, life changed for
Arvid and Lois Jovaag when they moved to Minnesota to begin farming. Arvid, a director of Lutheran Social Services in SE Wisconsin, and Lois, a social worker, resigned their positions to embark on this new adventure.
Their home in South Central Minnesota, established in 1860, had a rich history of raising pigs. Arvid and Lois were quick to carry on that tradition and soon purchased a herd of 50 sows. They began raising pigs for
Niman Ranch in 2001 and had little to change to meet
Niman Ranch's protocols. Today, they raise some of
Niman Ranch's best tasting pork with a herd consisting of Duroc, Berkshire, and Chester White breeds. Arvid and Lois joke that they are using what was considered "the newest technology in 1949" by housing the pigs on deep bedding in their barn, or letting them run in their grove.
As people who enjoy eating sustainably-raised, high quality foods themselves, the Jovaags appreciate the fact that
Niman Ranch places high emphasis on quality. They also enjoy getting to meet customers that buy
Niman Ranch pork, and welcome people to the farm to educate them about what they do. Their farm has hosted many visitors over the years, including classes from neighboring schools, who are often eager to learn about raising pigs.
Besides the traditional crops like corn, soybeans, oats, and alfalfa, the Jovaag farm is home to a herd of registered Red Pol cattle, a rare old English breed. They also own and care for a pair of sorrel Percheron draft horses who were once quite helpful with their general farm work. These days, the horses do not participate in much of the farm work aside from giving sled or wagon rides to the farm¿s occasional visitors.
Following the hog market crash in 1998, the Jovaags really value
Niman Ranch for providing a secure market for its farmers. That is what has allowed them to keep doing what they love. When asked by friends and neighbors if they're ever going to retire, Lois often answers, "Why would we want to quit something we have so much fun doing?"