Whittenberg Farms began in 2007 with the purchase of three pigs: #26, #32, and #33 (named after their ear tags).  Two of these "practice pigs" were raised up to provide meat for our family and friends; the third became the first of our breeders, Penelope.  A second batch of pigs provided the first round of meat for our local farmers' markets, as well as our second brood sow, Circe.  With the purchase of our boar, Eurymachus, in summer '08, we had finally gone "whole hog" and were now in the business of raising our own pigs from farrow to finish.  In turn, we've added other critters to our menagerie: chickens, turkeys, cattle, and sheep.

This year, 2011, will be our fourth season selling at our local farmers' markets, and will be our first season with four types of meat for sale: pork, lamb, beef, and chicken.  We also plan to have some corn and other garden produce for sale, although whether this will be at market or from our farm, we have yet to decide.

The next step in the evolution of Whittenberg Farms moving beyond just agriculture production to include education and recreation.  As a schoolteacher by training, Zach is planning a number of educational ventures connected to our farm, including workshops on topics ranging from sustainable agriculture to blacksmithing.  Additionally, farm-based recreational offerings will include such options as pumpkin picking and a husking bee.

The biggest news, however, is the opening of Whittenberg Country School, a private elementary school (for grades 1-8), in the fall of 2011.  While based on another site a few miles down the road from the family ranch, the school will make use of the ranch as an "outdoor classroom" on regular field days.  For more information, please see the WCS blog (whittenbergcountryschool.blogspot.com).