[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I read this in the latest issue and it's interesting. If I was countrified I'd definitely do it. Beats weeding the garden for sure.

[netmilsmom]

>>One way to bring the cost down is to slaughter and butcher the animal and cure the meat yourself. <<

I could never to this. If I had to kill what I ate, I'd be vegan.

[Revelation 911]

Ive made my own bacon - cured it and smoked it - Its easy and far superior to anything at the store - Im going to try and make a cured ham next week -

good site for supplies

www.sausagemaker.com

[Iowa Granny]

Pigs can be raised on pasture as grazing animals; they thrive on a varied diet that also can include table food and garden scraps, extra milk or whey, and whatever other edibles are available.

This is no longer true. In many states it is now illegal to feed table scraps to livestock due to the recent Mad Cow outbreak.