Reflections from a Trip to Pork & Plants Farm
Pork & Plants is our primary supplier of pork for our whole animal butchery program. A group of 8 butchers, mongers, and staff from France 44 & St. Paul Meat Shop visited the farm on September 15th to get to know farmer Eric Kreidermacher and his family, and learn about their operation. Below, read reflections from Julia and Claire, two Meatmongers at the St. Paul Meat Shop, on what it means to practice regenerative agriculture and how Eric’s care for his land and animals translates to the quality of the meat we carry in our case.
“Earlier this month I was fortunate enough to visit one of our partner farms, Pork & Plants, run by the Kreidermacher family for three generations. While I had been to various farms over the years, I knew this one would be different.
Unique to the many farms across our beautiful state, this one runs on a smaller scale with particular focus on nurturing the land and its inhabitants. Even so, I was unprepared for the education and hospitality I received.
“A couple weeks ago, we had the opportunity to visit one of our partner farms, Pork and Plants, a second generation family-owned and operated farm in Altura, MN. It was such an inspiring experience, the day was beautiful and sunny with a few light rain showers, and we got to see firsthand the Kreidermacher family’s regenerative farming practices. Their beef is 100% grass-fed, pork is 100% soy-free, and the land is always kept covered with a variety of plants and grasses to nourish the soil year-round. The cattle are rotated daily to support healthy ground cover regrowth, and each animal is treated with care and dignity. They’re given names instead of numbers, mothers stay with their calves, and some of the bold ones even love head scratches like a dog. The pigs were just as sweet and well-cared for, with room to run, root, and play in the mud.
What stood out most to me was the love and respect radiating from the Kreidermacher family, who tend the farm. They are passionate stewards of both the land and their animals, raising them with love and integrity while protecting the soil for future generations. It was a meaningful reminder of the importance of connecting to the source of our food. While it can feel uncomfortable to think about where our meat comes from, if I’m going to make the choice to consume meat, I feel best knowing it comes from a place like Pork and Plants. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit for myself and see firsthand that every animal on this farm lives a good life and every decision is made with care.”
– Claire Donovan, Meatmonger at the St. Paul Meat Shop
