Michigan Memories
Located in the center of Michigan, the
Los Family farm is surrounded by much more than the Great Lakes: they are
surrounded by agriculture. Richard Los and family have been involved with pork
production for the past 30 years. In the seventies, they moved from the suburbs
of Detroit to their current residence, a 115 acre farm near Clare, Mich.
“We started from the bottom up,”
Richard said. “We
sell naturally raised pork, no hormones, antibiotics, or chemicals are
used.
As the trends of
organically grown food started to become popular, niche production just made
sense.”
The Los Family Farm has approximately
50 sows, and they raise feeder pigs each spring. Selling whole and half hogs,
customers continue to come back, and make constant referrals to the Los Family
Farms.
The Los Family Farm is exactly as it
sounds: a family farm. The entire family pitches in to make it successful. They
plan to remain a family farm in the future. “Our consumers appreciate what we
do. But watching our seven grandchildren grow and love the land is one of the
best rewards we could ask for.”
By producing niche pork from the very
beginning, the family has discovered that the quality is excellent. Through
their experiences, they have determined several effective ways to inform the
public about the benefits of niche pork production. The Los Family has created
a Web site, www.losfamilyfarm.websitexs.com,
regularly distributes information about natural pork production at local
events, as well as hosts a “Pig Catching Contest” each year in Farewell,
Michigan.
“The flavor of niche pork is
tremendous. It is very healthy food.” Richard stated. “The quality is
impressive, which is why we engage in niche production.”
From complying with government
regulations to battling the markets and economy, the Los Family continues to
overcome many challenges that have faced them over the years in producing a
niche product. Richard hopes that maybe one of their grandchildren will one day
become a butcher so that they can open their own facilities.
For additional information about the
Los Family Farm, visit their website at www.losfamilyfarm.websitexs.com.
They can also be reached at 989- 386-7098 or
jakpappas@yahoo.com
Sign up
If you are a niche pork producer and would like to have your contact
information listed on the Niche Pork Web site, call the Checkoff’s Producer
Service Center at 1-800-456-PORK.
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