It was nearly a year ago when Lindsey and I met with Washington County park staff at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. May 16th 2025, was a cold, windy, and rainy day. As we hiked through the elements, observing the landscape, we were both taken back by how vast the space was. The project site was 5 acres within a 40 acre section of prairie that had been farm land decades ago. Although 40 acres is nothing by large farm standards, the absence of trees and brush gives you a clear perspective of acreage.

The county was already engaged in a project to restore this 40 acre grassland to native prairie. Its current makeup was primarily two invasive species; both cool season grasses that shade out anything else the county may plant. A proper restoration required disturbance and replanting. At the time three methods of grass disturbance were being used: repeated grazing by sheep, controlled burns, and pesticide. The first two methods tend to be effective in the short term, but without disturbing the root system or killing the grass were questionable long term solutions. The third - maybe effective but with obvious ecological drawbacks and growing public attention. This is where we came into the picture.

A month prior during a site visit from the local watershed district, we inquired about “farming the park” in reference to some crop land in Big Marine Park Reserve. We had hoped the county would allow us to convert the crop land into pasture and this could offer some growth potential for us long term. Although there was not an immediate opportunity in Big Marine, we were put in contact with folks working on the prairie restoration in Lake Elmo. Turns out they had just recently given a presentation to county staff members on swine and their strong potential for land restoration projects. Thankfully the “pigness of the pig” as Joel Salatin says, has gained some popularity!

After months of planning and strategizing with the county, we finally made it to the start of this partnership.

May 1st 2026, Launch day, was a gorgeous day! We were blessed with perfect weather with a high in the 50s, warm sun, gentle breeze, and puffy clouds floating by. We started the day by staging two trucks and trailers in the driveway. With the help of our boys and my father, we loaded all of our equipment from the hog feeder and waterer, to their shelter and fencing supplies. We used our recently fabricated “pig taxi” (a small pig pen with a floor, turned into a tractor three-point hitch attachment) to gather all the pigs and transport them to the livestock trailer in the driveway. We then loaded up the tractor and did one final check of all our equipment, though we’d find out later not a thorough enough check.

The drive to the park was mostly uneventful, with only one strap slipping and letting the pig feeder lid nearly fly off, thankfully nothing was damaged or lost. Once we arrived we quickly got to it, unloading all the things we had just loaded up an hour earlier.

We got things out to the project site and started organizing our efforts and two hurdles quickly presented themselves. First, the actual site we’re starting on, which had changed since our initial visit, was extremely bumpy. This made it hard to get close with the trailer, so our “pig taxi” was essential, but even with the tractor we struggled to transport equipment and the pigs. Patience was the only solution as slow and methodical movement with the tractor was the only way on this rough of ground. Second, our equipment check was not thorough enough and we missed a crucial item: fence wire! Thankfully with multiple adults and vehicles a trip home was not too much trouble and we were able to stay productive while my father ran home for the wire.

**The final leg of the days journey for these piglets**

With the help of my three capable boys, my father, my lovely and devoted wife, and the cute company of my baby girl, by late afternoon we had fence installed, feed and water set in place, and the pigs out on grass.

**Our oldest Codi setting up fence like a pro**

A wonderful conclusion to the day and all our work leading up to this point was when the county staff witnessed the first pig rooting up the grass in search of grubs and other tasty treats. They were enamored! Although pigs rooting up the dirt is normal for us, it had not occurred to me that this was the first time they were seeing this happen in person.

**Grown men standing around fascinated with pigs**

Now looking forward, we will be moving our pigs to fresh ground every week or two until October, and look forward to the transformation as Washington County park staff replants the areas they’ve worked.

In conclusion the experience with Washington County has been wonderful, this project has huge potential to start something big for our farm business, and we’re thrilled to be raising so much exceptional pork this year while improving local park land!

Shoutout to our amazing photographer, Elizabeth Brumley, who captured so many amazing moments in our day! Links to her Facebook and Instagram below

Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Launch day

Cattail Farm