An acreage in rural Milford is an oasis for unique critters and handmade treats.
Visitors to Anchor Meadow Farm, operated by Emely and Matt Hendl, will first notice a special breed of pigs. The Hendls' Kunekune pigs sport a stocky stature and a demeanor similar to that of a docile dog.
“The Kunekune is a lard-breed heritage pig from New Zealand and their name means 'round round,'” Emely said. “They have about 35 percent lard on them.”
Kunekunes first found their way to Anchor Meadow Farm after a conversation with neighbor Del Ficke, owner of Ficke Cattle Company. He informed them of the benefits of regenerative agriculture and forage-based animals.
“We were super intrigued with having animals that won't damage the earth and would contribute to a healthy, sustainable meat source,” she said.
The Hendls first tried Berkshire pigs but soon switched up to the Kunekune after learning about the breed's countless benefits.
The pigs are known for their high quality fat and dark red meat that resembles a prime steak. The fat is multi-purpose and used for everything from soaps and lip balms to lard for cooking, which is a prime source for healthy fats.
“Pasture-raised lard is the number two super food in the world,” Emely said. “I use it for everything.”
The appearance of the meat and the quality of the fat comes from the pigs' forage-based diet.
“Ours are out here for a year straight foraging and in the heart of winter, they're eating third and fourth cutting alfalfa along with a tiny bit of conventional food,” she said. “We call ours 90 % practicing organic and 10% conventional. They need that little bit of food to obtain some calories, some muscle and a little extra calcium.”
Their diet also includes treats from the Hendls' gardens.
“I love feeding them. They get all the extra cucumbers, quite a few extra tomatoes,” Emely said. “Sometimes their salad bowls look better than ours.”
Aside from the premium product the pigs produce, Emely said they provide a calming presence on the farm with their friendly demeanor and their love of belly rubs.
“They're so fun. The best part is their personalities,” she said. “I can let my daughter jump in with all five of my boars. They all weigh around 350 pounds, and she can rub their bellies and they'll fall over.
“They're super intelligent, they know their names and I feel like I can call them individually and they'll come up to me.”
The Hendls utilize most of the pork products for their own use and resale, but also offer registered breeders from each litter to sell to other farmers.
What the buzz is about
The Kunekune products have become a staple in Anchor Meadow Farm's offerings, but its start can be traced to Connecticut, where Matt first explored beekeeping.
A 20 year submariner with the United States Navy, Matt Hendl found beekeeping as a source of relaxation and an escape from stress.
“It was a soothing mind thing for him,” Emely said. “You have to have your whole body, your whole mindset at one with the bees, per say. You can't be nervous, you can't be thinking of something else because you don't want to upset them too.”
Matt has since spread the benefits of beekeeping to other veterans in the area through the Heroes for Hives program. Once a month throughout the spring and summer, half a dozen veterans from the area learn the basics of beekeeping.
Emely said the program has proven to be a beneficial project for those involved.
“It's become a band of brothers,” she said. “No matter what service they were in, they can talk about things that happened and relate to one another.”
They moved the initial three hives to Milford from Connecticut and while the original hives may not exist, they've expanded to 22 hives. Eighteen of the hives are stationed at Ficke's property and the other four call Anchor Meadow Farm home.
The bees fly in a three-mile radius, collecting nectar from a variety of flowers and plants, which equals flavorful honey.
“It's all wildflower honey because they're collecting nectar and pollen from so many cover crops and people may have some fruit trees and other flowers they may be growing,” Emely said. “Here, my mom does her best to keep the flowers blooming, all different seasons, and it's beautiful to hear them humming in the garden in all the blooms.”
Sharing the bounty
The Hendls use the vegetables, honey, meat and eggs raised on the farm for their own use, but they also want to share the benefits of quality, farm-raised products with the public.
Last September, they opened the Local Love shop on their property at 2297 A St. Rd. where they offer cuts of pork, bratwurst and other products from the Kunekune pigs. However, Emely said the pork chops are the hottest sellers in the store.
“When we have pork, the chops go quickly,” she said, adding that bacon is also wildly popular. “We limit it to one package per person. Everyone wants our bacon.”
Several honey and beeswax-related products sit on the shelves, as well.
Shoppers can also find jellies, jams and salsas handmade from produce grown on the Anchor Meadow property, as well.
But the shop isn't limited to products made at the farm. Emely said the name “Local Love” reflects the shop's mission to incorporate food, art, clothing and more made by Nebraskans.
“We call it Local Love because everything here is semi-homemade in one way or another,” she said. “It's a boutique, kind of, but it also has the simple things.”
The shop is open from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
The Hendels also open their farm to programs and events meant to showcase the importance of local agriculture.
Emely said they've hosted several programs for students, including hive box painting projects and other crafts. She said they hope to open the farm to events in the fall, leading up to the Christmas shopping season.
Anchor Meadow Farm also participates in the Harvest Hosts program, which connects camping enthusiasts to 3,000 farms, wineries, breweries and golf courses across the country. Emely said they've welcomed 60 campers through the program since Memorial Day.
Guests through the program get a private spot on the farm for the exchange of business at the store.
While the Hendls appreciate the attention the farm receives, Emely said they always encourage shoppers and campers to visit other area businesses once they leave.
“I love to push people into town (Milford) and I love to remind people to stop into town and see (the businesses),” she said. “The community is only as strong as your neighbor wants you to be. In order to thrive, I feel it's always best to emphasize each other.”
No matter the reason someone visits Anchor Meadow Farm, Emely said she hopes they leave with not only a farm-fresh and high-quality product, but a new appreciation for agriculture.
“I love to let others see this slow process, but the rewarding process, whether it be a raising an animal or a vegetable growing,” she said.
