Today I was reminded of why I am a vegetarian. We visited a hog confinement. A very kind family owned it, they also happen to be Rob’s long lost family. We first went to their family farm and discussed what it is like being on the Pork Producer’s Board with Dennis Liljedahl. There were a lot of questions asked about his farming practices in regard to his crops. Once we got to the farm where he keeps his hogs (away from his own house), we toured the buildings. The first building we went in, and the last I went in, we saw piglets and sows enclosed in gestation crates. Apparently, gestation crates are supposed to limit piglet mortality because it prevents the mother pig from rolling over on a piglet. I think a better solution would be not having so many damn pigs in such a small area. Comparatively speaking, this was one of the best kept hog confinements in Iowa. There was a rotting piglet and a starving mother in one of the stalls that looked as if it hadn’t been attended to in weeks. I think that speaks a lot about what humans are willing to sacrifice for “cheap food prices”. For the life of me, I cannot understand why or how anyone can be okay with the treatment of animals around here. I guess I am just not desensitized yet, I don’t think I ever could be. It literally made me physically ill. The farmer told us to watch out because “they can be mean”. I think that is an incorrect explanation. The pigs are animals, WILD animals. They are not domesticated. And on top of that they were all terrified from the second we walked in. There was a point when the farmer slightly raised his hand to point at the fan and all of the pigs screamed and huddles in the corner furthest away from the farmer. It’s crazy to me that at three weeks old, the piglets already understand they should fear the humans.

I would understand if there was even one single health benefit of eating pork. I have never heard anyone say, “eat your bacon, it’s good for you” and there’s a reason for that. Next time you get the opportunity to eat bacon, TURN IT DOWN.

I have no judgments to the family who raises the pigs, aside from the fact that it is so far away from their own house and so close to others. I understand that given the market and the culture that exists in America today, someone has to do it. A change in the way that people farm animals would require a change in our diet and the way that we demand food. These people are merely an actor in the system.

After we checked into our hotel and ate some dinner, we played card games. Of everyone, Michael talked the most smack but is probably the worst. We played a version of UNO called “Spicy UNO” which is regular UNO plus a variety of random rules added. I think I was the worst at the quiet rule that occurred anytime anyone out down a number seven.