Pig Farm: Sunny Cedars Farm

In a state where much of the land still supports farmers and their families, opportunities to eat close to home during the holiday season are all around. Though markets full of fresh vegetables may come to mind, buying locally sourced pork is another way to support South Carolina farmers this season.

In addition to the economic impact of shopping locally, supporting a local pig farmer allows for transparency in the farming process. While large corporate farms across the country produce higher quantities of meat at lower standards, farmer Russell Singleton of Sunny Cedars Farm cares for his heritage-breed pigs in a different environment. On his farm in Sumter, South Carolina, pigs have a chance to grow slowly and naturally without the forceful push of growth hormones. They do not live a life of overcrowding or unnecessary stress.

“Know your farmer, know your food,” Singleton says. “We don’t use pesticides or growth promoters. Our animals are raised and processed in a humane environment. That is a message we promote all year long.”

And there’s a passion in this process. The Singleton family has lived on their farm for almost 20 years and Singleton is quick to share that he loves his job.

“It’s the most hours with the least pay I’ve ever done, but by far this is the most I’ve ever enjoyed a job,” he says. The job doesn’t come without hard work and support from his family and his community. The meat grown at Sunny Cedars Farms is sold at farmers’ markets around South Carolina and on their farm.

Growing pigs in what Singleton calls the “old-fashion way” is worthy of that work. Local meat farms like his support a farming practice that is kinder to animals and kinder to the land. In this holiday season, our Southern kindness can certainly be extended to the animals and the land that feed us.

Sunny Cedars Farm sells their products at the farm located at 701 Singleton Lane, Sumter, South Carolina.