Food Tank

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Trisha and Nolan Zachman farm in a small town two hours west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a fourth-generation farmer, Trisha says that her farm today looks a lot different from her childhood. Trisha says niche markets like this are critical to keeping small family farms like theirs alive. “If

Farming 116

Farming Farming Ranching Pasture 116

Food Tank

OCTOBER 4, 2024

In 2016, they began working with Niman Ranch, a network of over 600 small to mid-sized, independent U.S. family farmers and ranchers that uphold high standards of sustainable and humane farming practices. With fewer from the next generation taking over family farms, they are often bought by large-scale farmers and consolidated.

Farming 105

Farming Farming Ranching Family Farming 105

Food Tank

JULY 19, 2024

“Animal science is what’s taught in college now…It used to be animal husbandry, [meaning] the real relationship it takes to steward and take care of these animals, not just produce pork.” The family’s farm serves as a model for how smaller-scale, humane hog farming can be both environmentally and economically sustainable.

Farming 102

Farming Farming Ranching Family Farming 102

Food Tank

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Today, he’s a sixth-generation pig farmer partnering with Niman Ranch. By his senior year, Williams was trying to figure out how to return home and take over the family farm. The best thing about Niman Ranch is how transparent they are. Now, he enjoys a healthy balance of time between farming and his young family. “It’s

Ranching 105

Ranching Family Farming Farming Farming 105

Food Tank

JANUARY 5, 2024

Eric and Mikala both knew that they could raise hogs outdoors, but it wasn’t until they started partnering with Niman Ranch that they could make it work financially and begin to grow their business. “I Niman Ranch is a network of more than 600 small and mid-size farmers and ranchers across the U.S.

Farming 128

Farming Farming Ranching Acre 128

Food Tank

AUGUST 30, 2023

I just returned from one of my favorite events, the Niman Ranch Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration in Des Moines, Iowa, at which Food Tank is honored to co-host an Educational Summit. I have been fortunate to call Niman Ranch Founding Hog Farmer Paul Willis a friend for many years, and I still get emotional at this event.

Food 52

Food Farming Farming Ranching 52

Food Tank

OCTOBER 6, 2023

“We have five different businesses here that we do…the animals make the least amount of money, but it’s what I really want to be doing. The Wahls partner with Niman Ranch, a network of more than 600 small and mid-size farmers and ranchers across the United States. I can’t get away from them.”

Ranching 113

Ranching Science Soil Science Marketing 113