I started Dogpatch Farm in 2012, after watching food documentaries, they made me change the way I shopped. Then I learned of the misleading labels which led to me growing my own and before I knew it I was supplying some of the top restaurants in the Northeast with Mulefoot pork.
The pandemic closures put an end to all that so just like anyone that could, I did a pandemic pivot. We switched from whole & half hogs direct to chefs, to packaging all the pork as retail cuts to sell at farmer’s markets.
Our farm slogan has always been:
We Play With Your Food And Name it Too!
We still raise the pigs the same, with the 3 R's, roaming, rooting and running through the woods of our farm in Washington, Maine.
Project Summary
Last year I was fortunate to receive a grant to cover 25% of our new commercial kitchen and farm upgrades costs, but I’m coming up a bit short on my 75% share. For the grant, the written plan had to be a minimum of $100,000 in order to get $25,000 in grant funds along with a recommendation for a low interest loan, so we wrote the dream plan a little bit over that…sweet deal right? Well, almost, but we didn’t get the loan at all! The funds were handed out before the determination and we’re on the hook for the rest. We were able to get a partial loan and we’ve worked our butts off and we still need $17,500 to meet our Grant Match and another $24,000 to complete the whole project.
I certainly don't want to sound unappreciative of grant funds; the money is a huge deal! It's just that there are deadlines to meet. I’m in a hurry to get it finished so I can start using it. As soon as we are able to use the kitchen, we can also begin to earn more of what we need and add the final components.
These farm infrastructure upgrades include a solar array mounted on the pig barn roof and an on farm commercial kitchen/butcher shop with cold storage. I'll be able to cook some tasty treats for you! I can’t wait for you all to see it!
These farm upgrades will allow me to take control of my products, have quality control and become profitable for the future. I’m very excited to cut our carbon footprint with the solar power but I’m even more passionate about whole animal utilization. The pigs are all born right here and the best way to honor them is to use every part possible, which is not possible with my current processor. Folks have been asking for rendered lard, salt pork, and bone broth for ramen. I have had the pleasure of chef made chichironnes and can't wait to learn how, and house made Salami is on our wish list too,
This kitchen will also impact some other area farmers. It will enable them to rent the space and equipment in order to take control of their own products too. These other farmers are also women (or at least 50% woman owned) and I love the fact that I can help empower them.
The kitchen will give us control of the quality of cuts and the ability to use our creative side for new products and we’ll be able to implement our Whole Hog Utilization program. The commercial kitchen will have a great impact to help save us money on processing fees too. With feed prices being sky high since the pandemic began, saving anywhere makes a difference.
With these changes we will be able to use a slaughterhouse closer to home which will reduce our travel time and cost and more importantly, reduce road stress for our animals.
We’re on our way….
The building is just about all set now; the driveway has seen some repairs and awaits better ditching and new culverts when the weather warms. The solar panel project is underway. There is a HACCP Plan in the works and we have also begun to acquire some of the needed kitchen equipment such as sinks, tables, a slicer, butcher knives and saws and vacuum packaging machine. But, we still need cold storage and a way to heat the building since the woodstove could not remain in a commercial kitchen.
We’re not looking for a hand out so we have some very tasty rewards for assisting us to meet our match. Some are for local pick up only, others can be picked up in ME. NH or MA (My usual spots - I'll add the details below) and some can be shipped to your door (with an extra shipping fee). Not all are pork perks so no worries if pork is not your thing, there are still ways to help and get rewards.
Another component is that I'm having my ACL and meniscus repaired (yes, a pig did it). My kids (young adults) will need to manage all the animal chores for two months, so I’d like to shrink the herd and the best way to do that is to fill other people’s freezers. Hence all the Porky Perks. There is never really a good time for surgery but I should be able to squeeze it in after all the snow and ice and still be healed before piglet & farmer’s market seasons. Two full months out of the barn they say! So I’ll be working on packing up your perks instead!
WHAT YOU GET
Can I get you excited about our perks? Here are just a few highlights:
First of all, it's not just pork, it's MULEFOOT PORK ~ a rare breed with exceptional flavor
It's not the other white meat and Slowfoods even voted it #1 in blind taste tests.
Bacon! Who doesn't love BACON?
How about pulled pork?
And for all of you Salami lovers, we will have Soppressata and Finnochiona back again!
We're even offering private farm tours followed by dinner served by the ... yup, you guessed it...the farmer!
Not into pork you say... how about lard soap, a set of farm photo blank note cards or if you are ever so patient, you can wait until November/December for your perk of a lovely Balsam wreath for yourself or sent as a gift.
And for you folks that love a sweet special deal that keeps on giving, try our special discount card. Early birds will save 10% on purchases from now until the end of 2030. Yes, that's right, 2030. Claim your discount over and over to your heart's (and wallet's) delight! (Discount card may not be used on whole or half hogs or for catered events)
Want to make a real big impact? Stock your freezer with a half hog! (Delivery area will be limited, but we can take it as far south as the Boston area)
There are so many perks to choose from and in all different price ranges
All the funds will be put to good use even if we don't meet our goal online which is why we chose this flexible platform. We will be doing everything in our power to meet the required match on time. I've built this farm from scratch, I'm a bit driven and tenacious at times, but that's how things get done here. That good old fashioned New England work ethic that I was raised with. Everything is rolling forward; there is no turning back now. Most of our project is already funded so if we don’t reach our entire goal with this campaign, the funds will go to the most important parts and we’ll keep plugging away at the rest.
Risks & Challenges
I'm a farmer; I constantly live with risks and challenges. The HACCP plan may have to be revised, various components may get delayed due to worker shortage but it will get done. The flooring is the last piece for me to personally to complete while I can still kneel on the floor to do it, then I can oversee other work while in a stiff knee brace.
The kids may get stuck feeding more pigs than I'd like them to have to tend to while I heal, but they are capable, after all, they are farm kids.
Other Ways You Can Help
Want to help but just can't contribute? That’s ok too; we completely get that. We’d appreciate it if you just help get the word out in order for us to reach our goal. Check out the Indiegogo share tools!
Where/ How to get your REWARDS
We CAN SHIP to you. - if the perk you want isn't already list for shipping, just reach out, we will do what we can to get it to you.
Pick up at the Farm on Monday's 5-7 pm starting April 15th
Not Local, no problem, we will have the following deliveries:
May 5 th in MA, NH, Southern ME
12 pm Brookline, MA - Hemlock Grill 1281 West Roxbury Parkway
1 pm Somerville, MA - Home Depot parking lot
2 pm North Andover, MA- CVS parking lot 109 Main St
3 pm Haverhill, MA - Oriental Garden’s Parking lot
3:45 pm Amesbury, MA, Carriagetown Marketplace, 100 Macy St.
4:15 pm Kittery, ME- Tributary Brewing Co parking lot
5 pm Kennebunk, ME - Alewife Rd Park & Ride parking lot
May 19th - MAINE
9 am Belfast ~ Tractor Supply Parking lot
9:30 am Lincolnville Ferry Terminal
10 am Camden~ Reny’s parking lot
10:30 am Rockport ~ West St Farmer’s Market location
11 am Thomaston - Tractor supply
11:45 am Waldoboro- Hannaford parking lot
12:15 pm Damariscotta - Hannaford parking lot
1 pm Freeport - McDonald’s Parking lot
2 pm Scarborough Cabela's park n ride lot
3:30 pm West Gardiner - Service Plaza
NEW - Date & Locations- (details to follow):
May 26th
Bucksport
Blue Hill
Ellsworth
Mt Dessert
Pick up at a Farmer's Market:
Kittery - 10 Shapleigh Rd Sunday’s 10-2 June- November
Kennebunk- Behind the Garden Bowl Saturday’s 8-12:30 May - November
Brunswick Farmer’s Market On the Mall, The Green, Downtown Tues 8-1 May - November
Islesboro- Community Center Wednesday’s 10-12 June - September
Rockport - West Street Farmer’s Market, Wednesday’s 3-6pm June - September
