Heritage pork helps small farmers increase revenue by delivering delicious product
NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (WFXR) – 'This little piggy went to the market…..'
With profit margins razor thin, one of the hottest trends among small farmers these days is diversification, adding new crops or livestock to their existing operations. The practice helps to generate new revenue streams, mitigate risk, and spread operational costs.
One place diversification is being embraced is the Virginia Gold Orchard in Natural Bridge. Virginia Gold grows Asian pears, produces grapes and wine at its Ramulose Ridge Vineyard, and produces cut flowers and lavender. Now, heritage breed pigs can be added to that list.
Owner Thomas Vandiver says the pigs, a breed known as Idaho Pasture Pigs, integrate perfectly into his growing operation. The pigs are pastured in open grass areas and tree lots, where they can eat chestnuts, walnuts, and acorns. In addition, the pigs feed on insects and grubs. Their diet is supplemented daily with a non-GMO feed made up of field peas and barley.
See the Video! View Wildlife in Your Own Backyard!
Plus, at certain times of the year, there is fruit, a lot of fruit. The pigs are allowed to forage in the orchard, assisting farm operations by serving as a natural clean-up crew while fertilizing the orchard.
'They get a lot more fruit because we do finish our pigs on the fruit,' said Vandiver. 'So we have lots and lots of fruit that we produce that's not quite marketable for humans. The pigs love to eat it, and it gives a very unique flavor. So it's beneficial. The trees give to the pigs. The pigs give back to the trees.'
It takes about ten months for Vandiver to raise his pigs to the 250-pound weight for market and processing. Vandiver sells cuts of pork like chops, bacon, ribs, and sausage at the orchard. He also sells whole and half hogs to individual customers. He is sold into next year. Vandiver says it is because of the quality and flavor of the pork he raises. One way to tell is by the color.
'That color is amazing,' said Vandiver as he held up a pack of chops, almost a deep red in color. 'Pasture-raised pork should have that sort of pinkish tone to the meat. That just speaks to a really healthy pig raised on a really healthy pasture.'
More 'On the Farm' on WFXRtv.com
Raising healthy pigs is important to Vandiver. He wants them raised and processed ethically and humanely.
Vandiver says that is good for the pig and good for the product that will eventually go to a customer: 'When you take a bite of that pasture raised pork, when you take a bite of that sausage, that sausage on a bun, or a pork chop on a plate, or some ribs you're picking, in you're mind, and this is what I'm thinking, there are months of sunlight, there are dozens of thunderstorms, the rain that hits the pasture; all of that is concentrated in that pork. The animals are just amazing, the way they can concentrate all that nutritional benefit for us to enjoy.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Developer: Asian market, food hall at Burnsville Center nearing finish line
Developer: Asian market, food hall at Burnsville Center nearing finish line originally appeared on Bring Me The News. The Asian supermarket and food hall designed to transform Burnsville Center remains in the pipeline, three years after the plans were unveiled. The Windfall Group initially said the the development, known as Pacifica of Burnsville, could open as soon as January 22, 2023, in celebration of Lunar New Year – a date that came and went while the project was beginning to move through the city's formal planning process. In December 2023, the Windfall Group said the destination was on track to open at the end of the first quarter in 2024. A March 2024 press release advertised the food hall would indeed open very soon - before summer. Now, over one year later, the project remains under construction and no opening date is set. "The community is very antsy for this project," Burnsville City Council Member Vince Workman told developers last week. "We're almost to the finish line," Christina Le, one of the project's developers, reassured city officials. The Burnsville City Council voted unanimously June 3 to once again amend the city's $1.1 million grant tied to the redevelopment to allow more time for construction. The extension sets a Jan. 31, 2026 deadline for exterior renovations, with interior work on the project set to wrap up this month. "Yes, we have had our delays and so forth but we did not take any shortcuts," Le told the City Council. "We did not diminish any quality in the work that we've done. We've kept the quality high." The Windfall Group, an international developer, is also behind Pacifica Square in Aurora, Illinois, which is billed as one of the largest "one-stop" Asian lifestyle centers in the country. The development in Burnsville is planned to be anchored by the upscale Asian supermarket chain, Enson Market, and a feature a nine-vendor food hall, called Ate Ate Ate. In a letter to the City Council dated March 5, Eddie Ni, with the Windfall Group, indicated plans to construct a two-story addition to incorporate patio dining and a landscaped plaza have been nixed. "Instead of constructing a 15,000-square-foot addition, we aim to create affordable and inviting spaces for tenants while preserving parking," the letter reads. "The two restaurants originally planned for the addition will now occupy vacant mall units." Ni also noted progress on Enson Market have been impacted by shipment delays from overseas. Ate Ate Ate is designed to emulate Asia's atmospheric street markets, with a stroll through the food hall taking guests from morning cafes, to lunchtime spots and, finally, the evening-inspired segment, which will be complete with vibrant lights and live music. Hospitality HQ, the food hall's operator, will oversee the curation of vendors. The current vendor line-up includes Soga Mochi Donuts, which became Minnesota's first mochi donut business when it brought its Japanese-style treats to St. Paul in 2021. Bulgogi, bibimbap and other Korean favorites will be served at Hang Sang Korean Cuisine and Nepal-style dumplings filled with seasoned meat and veggies will be the focus at Amazing Momo. Other vendors include Asian-inspired ice cream shop ODAY Creamery, Niko Niko Boba, Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls and spots serving ramen, hand-crafted sushi rolls and sashimi and Mediterranean fare, according to Le. A central bar, called Urban Oasis, will offer self-serve beer and wine, she added. "This really means a lot to us that you've been patient and waited this long," she told the City Council. "We're almost there." According to Le, a grand opening is expected before the end of the story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
City of South Fulton gets $500,000 grant for environmental assessments, cleanup
The City of South Fulton was awarded half a million dollars by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess, clean up and develop what are known as brownfield sites. A brownfield is a site that could be used or redeveloped except there's some type of pollutant or contaminating substance at the location, keeping it from being safe enough to rebuild or use. The $500,000 awarded to the City of South Fulton will allow officials to look at a variety underused properties in the city and then clean them up to turn them into assets the city can use for growth, the city said in a statement. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Officials announce new area code coming to some Georgia phone customers Fake Uber Eats killing suspect in court, victim's family removed from hearing Asian needle ants crawling across US, now found in 20 states, sting cause life-threatening reaction 'The EPA's Brownfields Grant program represents a meaningful intersection of environmental justice and economic redevelopment,' Sharon D. Subadan, City Manager of South Fulton, said. 'This funding allows us to methodically address properties that have constrained local development as we move forward with a clear, sustainable vision for reuse. It is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to environmental stewardship and community resilience.' The funds will be used in a targeted manner, according to officials. The city said it plans to focus on historically underserved areas and use the funds to help redevelop their potential. 'This $500,000 award is both a strategic investment and a recognition of the City's leadership in equitable redevelopment,' Carmen Davis, Assistant City Manager, said. 'We are committed to deploying these resources through data-driven planning, interagency coordination, and inclusive community partnerships.' For 2025, the EPA awarded $267 million in funds from the Brownfields Assessment Grant program. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sunwing Vacations customers can now book their winter escape to Riu Ventura, an all-new Cancun resort set to open on December 6, 2025
The beachfront resort will offer 700+ rooms, family-friendly amenities and vibrant experiences in Cancun's Hotel Zone TORONTO, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Just in time for the winter sun season, Riu Ventura is officially set to open its doors on December 6, 2025, and Sunwing Vacations customers can now be among the first to book their stay at this all-new all-inclusive resort located on the famed Delfines Beach in Cancun's Hotel Zone. Marking RIU Hotels & Resorts' sixth property in Cancun and 23rd in Mexico, Hotel Riu Ventura will offer guests a vibrant, family-friendly escape with the signature 24-hour all-inclusive experience Riu is known for, all with a modern twist. This latest addition further strengthens RIU's longstanding connection to the Mexican Caribbean and its appeal among Canadian travellers seeking sun, style, and convenience. Resort highlights include: Over 700 modern rooms, including swim-out and family suites with two-bedroom options Six outdoor pools, including one with slides and another on the sixth floor with sea views Access to RIULand kids' club and family-focused entertainment programs Dining options ranging from Asian, Mexican and Italian restaurants to a steakhouse and international buffet Six bars, offering refreshing cocktails day and night RIU Party access at nearby Riu Caribe for guests looking to enjoy themed nightlife events Access to RIUFit fitness programs, and a Renova Spa for wellness and relaxation (at extra cost) Hotel Riu Ventura delivers a well-rounded, exciting experience with great value—perfect for families, couples, and groups of friends seeking sun-soaked adventures or a relaxing beachfront retreat. As a preferred partner in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers direct flights to Cancun from major cities across the country this winter. Customers can book Riu Ventura packages online via or with their trusted travel advisor today. About Sunwing Vacations As the leading vacation provider in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers more vacation packages to the south than any other vacation provider with convenient direct service from cities across Canada to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing Vacations to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations. Sunwing Vacations customers benefit from the assistance of our trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, whose representatives greet customers upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. For more information, please visit SOURCE Sunwing Vacations Inc. View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data