THE CROW'S CROFT BLOG

If you are asking questions like Where can I buy ethically raised pork in Oregon? Where can I get non GMO pork near Redmond? Where to order fresh Berkshire pork in Oregon? Can I order pasture raised pork online in the US? You are not alone and you are exactly who we raise pigs for. At The Crow’s Croft we are a family owned farm in Redmond Oregon raising pasture raised Berkshire and Duroc pork on a non GMO corn and soy free diet with transparency from pasture to plate. Where C

Living in Central Oregon shapes everything we do at The Crow’s Croft, including how we care for skin. High desert air, cold winters, windy days, and low humidity year round are hard on bodies just as much as they are on land. That is why we use lard in all of our body products . It is not a trend. It is a practical choice rooted in our climate, our farm, and our community. Central Oregon Is Hard on Skin If you live in Central Oregon, you already know this. Long cold winters,

More people are paying attention to where their food comes from, especially when it comes to meat. If you are searching for local pork in Central Oregon , you likely care about quality, transparency, and supporting farms in your community. Buying pork directly from a local farm looks different than grabbing a package off a grocery store shelf. Here is what to know and where to start. Why Buy Local Pork Local pork offers benefits that grocery store pork often cannot. Local por

Scent is one of the most important parts of soap and candles. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people assume essential oils are always the safest or most natural choice, but that is not always true. At The Crow’s Croft, we choose CandleScience Clean Scents Plus for many of our products because they offer consistency, safety, and transparency that essential oils cannot always provide. What Essential Oils Are Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts obtaine

Many people try pasture raised pork for the first time and are surprised by how it behaves in the kitchen. It cooks differently than grocery store pork, and that difference is not a flaw. It is a sign of how the animal was raised. Understanding why pasture raised pork cooks differently helps you get better results and enjoy the full flavor it offers. Pasture Raised Pork Is Not the Same as Commodity Pork Most grocery store pork comes from pigs raised quickly in confinement sys

Color in soap often raises questions. One of the most common ingredients people ask about is mica powder. At The Crow’s Croft, we believe in being clear about what goes into our products and why. What Mica Powder Is Mica is a naturally occurring mineral that is ground into a fine powder. In soap and cosmetics, mica is used to add color and shimmer. It does not provide scent or affect how soap cleans. Cosmetic grade mica is purified and approved for use in personal care produc

Across the country, small farms are disappearing at an alarming rate. This is not because farmers are unwilling to work hard or adapt. It is because the economics of farming have shifted in ways that make it increasingly difficult to survive. Two of the biggest pressures facing small pork farms today are rising feed costs , limited processing access , and a food culture that often undervalues pork as a quality meat. The Rising Cost of Feed Feed is one of the largest expenses

Lard and tallow are both traditional fats that have been used in soap making for generations. While each has a place in skincare, they are not interchangeable. At The Crow’s Croft , we intentionally choose lard because it performs better for daily use, sensitive skin, and long term comfort. What Lard Is and Why It Excels Lard is rendered pork fat. When properly rendered, it is clean, mild, and exceptionally compatible with human skin. Its fatty acid profile closely mirrors t

When buying pork, labels can be confusing. One term that comes up often is USDA inspected. At The Crow’s Croft, our pork is processed at a USDA inspected facility, and that distinction matters more than many people realize. Understanding what USDA inspected means helps consumers make informed choices and supports transparency in local food systems. What USDA Inspected Means USDA inspected means that meat is processed in a facility that is continuously inspected by the United

Palm oil is one of the most common ingredients in commercial and handmade soap. It is inexpensive, widely available, and helps create a hard long lasting bar. Even so, at The Crow’s Croft, we choose to make our soap without palm oil . This decision is rooted in environmental responsibility, ingredient transparency, and how we believe soap should be made. Why Palm Oil Is Common in Soap Palm oil is popular in soap making because it is versatile and shelf stable. It helps harden

What pigs eat matters just as much as how they live. At The Crow’s Croft, we feed our pigs a non GMO barley wheat and pea based diet because it supports animal health, steady growth, and the quality of pork we are proud to put on our customers’ tables. This choice is intentional. It is not the easiest or cheapest option, but it aligns with how we believe animals should be raised. Why Feed Choices Matter Feed influences growth rate, digestion, fat quality, and flavor. In many

Not all soap is created equal. Many products labeled as soap on store shelves are actually detergent bars designed for mass production, long shelf life, and low cost. At The Crow’s Croft, we make lard based soap using traditional methods because it cleans effectively without stripping the skin. Understanding the difference between lard soap and commercial soap helps explain why they feel so different on your skin. What Lard Soap Is Lard soap is true soap. It is made by combi

“Pasture raised” gets thrown around a lot these days but not all pasture systems are created equal. For us at The Crow’s Croft , pasture raised is not a marketing buzzword. It is the foundation of how and why we farm. And here in Central Oregon , raising pigs on pasture is not the easy choice. It is the intentional one. What Pasture Raised Really Means At its core, pasture raised means pigs live outdoors with space to move. They have access to fresh air, sunlight, and soil. T

If you have ever felt itchy, tight, or irritated after using soap, you are not alone. Many people with sensitive skin struggle to find products that clean effectively without causing discomfort. At The Crow’s Croft, we hear this often from customers who switch to lard based soap and notice an immediate difference. Why Sensitive Skin Reacts to Soap Sensitive skin reacts when natural oils are stripped away too aggressively. Many commercial soaps rely on synthetic detergents an

Berkshire pork is often called the Wagyu of pork , and for good reason. Berkshire pigs are known for: Deep marbling that creates juicy, tender meat Rich, clean flavor without being greasy Superior texture that holds up beautifully whether grilled, roasted, or slow-cooked Historically, Berkshires were prized long before industrial pork production existed. They thrive outdoors, adapt well to pasture-based systems, and grow at a natural pace, not rushed, not forced. That slow

When people hear the word lard, they often think of cooking. What many do not realize is that lard has been used for centuries as a skincare ingredient, long before commercial soaps and synthetic detergents existed. At The Crow’s Croft, we make lard based soap because it is simple, effective, and deeply nourishing for skin. Just like with our food, our approach to soap starts with intention and transparency. What Lard Based Soap Is Lard based soap is made using rendered pork

If you’ve landed here, Welcome. Truly. Finding a small farm like ours usually means you were looking for something a little more intentional. Better food, better ingredients, or a better connection to the people behind what you buy. We’re Zoey and Charles, and together we run The Crow’s Croft, a small family run farm and soapery located in Central Oregon just outside of Redmond. This is not a side project or a trendy brand. It is our daily work, our land, and our way of life.