Before the question was even asked by the fourth grade class my husband and I adopted through the Adopt-A-Classroom program with the Illinois Ag in the Classroom, I took it upon myself to explain what a farmer does during the winter months.  Contrary to popular belief and children’s books, winter duties do not include darning socks, housing livestock in the kitchen, or falling into a deep Rumplestilskin-type sleep, although that does sound rather enticing.

I explained the importance of book work and record keeping, equipment maintenance and general winter care of livestock.  We sent pictures of my husband and his brother hard at work in the shop welding, greasing, organizing and keeping busy while winter weather swirled outside.

What I neglected to write was that the busy work eventually runs out and soon the farmers – the active, outdoor, workaholics they are – come inside . . . bored to tears.

This blog was written in direct response to one of your questions, "How do they keep little pigs warm when they are born during really cold weather?"  It’s a great question, and there is a very simple answer:  all of our hogs are raised inside heated buildings, so they are protected from the weather.

That would be a pretty short blog, so here’s some more background information.  On our hog farm, we specialize in one certain phase of pork production.  We breed the moms (sows), assist with birthing (farrowing), and care for the piglets only until weaning age, about three weeks.  At that time, the piglets are moved to a different location.  The sows are then bred again and the cycle continues.