Twin Oaks Ranch

04/20/2025

"Why is pastured pork priced higher than the grocery store?"

This is a question I get sometimes because our pork has a higher price point for most cuts than what most people are typically used to seeing in the grocery store, or even what they're used to buying from a local commodity producer.

All of the pork you will find in the grocery store is raised in confinement operations. These are closed to the elements facilities where pigs can more easily be managed in mass. These hogs are raised on concrete, in small areas with little to no ability to engage in natural behaviors. They are bred to grow to market weight by 6 months of age and eat a diet meant to put on weight quickly.

Our pastured pork is grown out on 24/7 access to a pasture seeded with alfalfa, turnips, clover, rye grass, millet, and chickory. They are fed a diet of locally milled grain, tons of garden vegetable surplus, and hay. They take 8-10 months to reach market weight by comparison. Our pigs are allowed to forage and wallow and we use them in regenerative practices here on our land.

Grocery store meat when compared side by side with pastured pork is leaner, more pale and has significantly less marbeling than the pastured pork alternative. Fat is flavor in cooking, and any chef worth their weight in the kitchen will tell you that good marbeling is what they're after. Because pastured pigs are able to walk around and forage the resulting meat is a deeper red with more flavor due to the fat content of our pigs. Our pastured pork also has higher nutritional density (vitamins E, D and selenium) than conventionally raised pork.

Quite simply, pastured pork is an entirely different product than conventional pork. It takes more time, labor and money to grow out, but we believe that process is worth it- and so do our customers. There is definitely a need for both (it is difficult to mass produce pork on pasture and we have many people in the world to feed) but we are happy to have found our niche here in the pastured pork world and to provide it as an option for our community.

We hope you try out our meat and see why we are so passionate about what we do here.

04/13/2025

Come see me today!!!!! Finders Keepers Vintage Market in JACKSON

04/12/2025

Unfortunately, tomorrow during the fundraiser, I will be in Jackson for Finders Keepers Vintage Market.

I will be at that fundraiser in stomach, though. If you know me, my spirit is one with my stomach, so you’ll understand clearly the nature of our donation.

We decided to send a selection of the best pieces of the farm for Mrs Williams. Included in the cooler are two Japanese Wagyu T-bone steaks, 3 pounds of Japanese Wagyu hamburger, our pasture, raised pork, garlic lover bratwurst, and spicy Italian bratwurst. Perfect for those warm summer days when you want to fire up the grill.

Also included is a selection of our Goats Milk and large soap, a facelift boost, a bourbon, teakwood and sea salt, body butter and a pink apple punch body butter. Everything you need for smooth and soft summer skin!!!

04/10/2025

Finders Keepers Vintage Market (I still can’t get the tag to work) is in JACKSON this SUNDAY!!!!

Come support local!!!

04/09/2025

This Sunday Finders Keepers Vintage Market is in Jackson!!!! I’m unsure why I can never tag the event but if you click the page above they’ll have great resources too!

04/03/2025

There are reasons we’re a vaccine free farm. Do you research and choose wisely. You control what you put in your body, it’s that simple.

04/02/2025

Well congratulations Dearborn Heights, you showed your true colors and stole the egg table blind. Impressive.

We did this as an experiment and unfortunately it turned out how we didn’t want it to. Egg pick up is pre-pay only again. Sorry to the few people who were honest.

04/01/2025

We’re going to take a swing at bringing fresh eggs to DEARBORN & DEARBORN HEIGHTS COMMUNITY/BUSINESS PAGE

PayPal, Venmo or Cash App only. Self serve.

03/30/2025

Aren’t they pretty

03/29/2025

Animals don’t have a soul.

Those are fighting words on this farm. Yesterday we lost Annie Oakley at 13 years old. She is the first Waygu to set foot on our ground. She started our herd and provided us with beautiful babies. She was our Matriarch and admittedly my favorite. My heart has broken and at the same time filled.

I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than the tribute our beloved animals gave Annie. Norman, never left her side, he audibly cried right along with me and then cuddled into my arms like a baby as did many of our others. The entire herd surrounded us as she went, all of them laying quietly around us and when she had passed they stood and bowed their heads. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

We buried Annie with my dogs on my favorite spot on the farm. As we lowered her into the ground it occurred to me that the farm had gone silent in the setting sun. Looking around I realized that all eyes were on us. The cows were lined up watching, the horses surrounding her grave, the livestock dogs sitting at attention watching. The only word I have is humbled. I was humbled.

It’s amazing to me the holes that animals will leave in our souls and more amazing to me the way other animals use those holes to expand our capacity to love. For all the hard days out here there are so many moments like this when you realize that the lessons you’re learning are so much more than the heartache.

Fly free my Annie girl. I’ll see you again.

03/23/2025

Finders Keepers Vintage Market, HOLY MASON!!! You guys are amazing!!! Thank you for the most incredible day and the best conversations!

And Trapp would like to thank Whiskey Jacks BBQ for the pulled pork sandwich someone got him. He’s kind of salty he didn’t get the waffle with macaroni and cheese so I told him maybe next show.

03/23/2025

The farm is CLOSED TODAY because I’ll be in Mason

03/22/2025

And now that I’ve gotten your attention, come see me tomorrow at Finders Keepers Vintage Market in MASON!

03/20/2025

Sunday I’ll be in MASON for Finders Keepers Vintage Market. Come shop small & shop local!

03/18/2025

I’m going to put together a donation basket for this as this is the wife of one of the Veterans who does incredible acts of service for Veterans in need.

What would guys like to see from me in a donation basket if you could choose from everything I have?

03/17/2025

03/16/2025

Just a reminder, my first show is next Sunday with Finders Keepers Vintage Market!!!!

After Sunday NOTHING is guaranteed in stock. I do my best folks but I’m one human with a full time job, a farm and a family. I cannot update the website with every sale, it’s not possible and a small side business cannot afford software to do it.

I’m also not taking custom orders until after June. I spent this morning since 3 am in the kitchen filling every custom order I had. Last season I physically beat myself to death for last minute shoppers who “forgot” they needed something. It’s not happening again this year. The amount of time and effort it takes to grow plants and animals, process them, create oils, dry herbs and make products is insane. My focus is on making sure that what is produced here is the best I can make it. My focus is not going to be pacifying a customer who dropped the ball on ordering one tiny jar of body butter when it was in stock which forces me into making an entire batch for a 2 oz purchase.

I apologize for the inconvenience this is going to cause some people but it’s necessary for my sanity.

Drying on the counter is Cedar & Lavender, Facelift Boost and Dark Amber Rosewood. Two of those make their debut in Mason next Sunday!

03/11/2025

We have a goat 🐐 and therefore we are able to make homemade goat cheese!!!!

I made 3 flavors, sun dried tomato basil, basil pesto & garlic chive. They turned out wonderfully!