Notes From Hannah: Behind The Butcher's Block

-
It’s Hannah here, zipping out from behind the butcher's block after a much-needed two-week getaway in Hawaii. Let me tell you, those island breezes and the sound of the ocean waves do wonders for clearing the mind! I spent my days soaking in the sun, but I also had the chance to immerse myself in the local culture, which got me thinking a lot about how different communities approach their food, especially meat.

In Hawaii, I was struck by the deep respect they have for the animals that sustain them. The traditions and practices around processing meat are so intertwined with their culture and reverence for life. It was a reminder of why I’m so passionate about what we do here—honoring the life of the animal and the nourishment it provides.

As we gear up for our upcoming 2-day workshop on slaughter and butchering, I want to share why this event is more than just a learning opportunity—it’s a chance to connect with your food in a deeply meaningful way.

In today’s world, it’s easy to be disconnected from the process that brings meat to our tables. But there’s something incredibly important, almost sacred, about understanding where your food comes from and how it’s prepared. When you know the entire journey—from pasture to plate—you gain a respect and appreciation that transforms the way you think about eating.

Our workshop isn’t just about teaching the technical skills of slaughter and butchering, though that’s a big part of it. It’s about empowering you to take control of your food supply, to ensure that what you and your family eat is raised, processed, and prepared with the utmost care and respect. Whether you’re a homesteader, hunter, or someone interested in learning these skills, this workshop is for you.

By attending, you’ll gain hands-on experience in humane dispatch, evisceration, skinning, and butchering. You’ll also learn about the importance of proper meat handling and the role it plays in ensuring food safety. But beyond the technical aspects, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the sanctity of the process. When you’re involved in every step, from raising the animal to processing it, you develop a connection that’s impossible to achieve otherwise.

This workshop is more than just a skill-building session; it’s an invitation to be part of a tradition that respects the life of the animal and the nourishment it provides. It’s about making informed choices, honoring the process, and ensuring that your food reflects the values you hold dear.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to know more about where your meat comes from, or if you’re ready to take the next step in self-sufficiency, I’d love for you to join us. Let’s gather together, learn, and connect over something as fundamental as the food we eat.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

All the Best!
Hannah

Oh and PS 
Sign up for my workshop here! 
https://www.makerslongacres.com/product/processing-workshop/86?cs=true&cst=custom

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ole Ma's Ramblings

-
Image
I’m starting and stopping so many times as I write- the words that don't want to come. It’s so impossibly hard to put my thoughts into words that I’ve even moved outside to look at the pasture, I've ventured to the barn and even back into the house. Now though I'm sitting under the gazebo where we recently had our Porkpalooza, the smoky aroma still emanating from the fire pit, a reminder of laughter and joy shared with friends and family and I feel as though I'm finally prepared to to get these thoughts to you all.  The wind tosses the leaves around me, mirroring the torrent of memories swirling in my head, tangling up my thoughts as I grapple with the weight. Our Porkpaloozas are always such a special time, but none more so than our most recent. Porkpaloozas are always a great time. We spent our evening eating massive amounts of good food surrounded by friends and family, their laughter blending with the scent of smoky porky goodness. The animals were in th...
Read more

Ole Ma's Ramblings...

-
Image
What do we do when love turns bittersweet? When the gentle sway of a cow’s tail reminds us of joy, yet whispers of loss linger in the air? LadyBelle, our beloved firstborn, graced our farm with her presence, her gentle spirit and sweet nature surrounding us like a warm embrace. She recently calved, yet the silence of her lost calf echoes louder than the gentle moo that greets us each morning. Four gallons a day. Milk that flows like cherished memories—creamy butter, rich cheese, and homemade ice cream that dances on the tongue. We’ve tasted abundance, but now, amid injury and chaos, the weight of milking her grows heavy. Have you ever felt the pull of what’s good and right? Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Is this the season to hold tight or to let go? LadyBelle's sweet nuzzles and the warmth of her presence bring us joy and comfort. But life calls us to move differently, to release some of the hea...
Read more

Ole Ma's Rambling...

-
Image
Tonight my heart is shattered into a million tiny pieces. How do you even say goodbye?  Today i had to make the choice to love Thistle more than I love myself, knowing that my heart would never, not ever be the same.  Thistle was not just a pig but a teacher of quiet wisdom, wrapped in bristled, curled hide. She was the matriarch, the heart of the herd, with eyes that saw through the seasons of my soul. For nearly a decade, she walked beside me, her presence grounding me in the land we shared. She was best in show not once but  twice—a reflection of her strength, her grace. But those ribbons pale in comparison to the lessons she imparted in the stillness of nights in the barn, early morning feedings, and the every day walks that dominate farm life. It was in the way she turned her gaze toward the horizon, our future, as if seeing something beyond what any of us could fathom. She was the one that started it all.  Today, I said goodbye, though it feels impo...
Read more