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31 mbiz | may 2015 from pen to pen to the other sows. The boars and sows are outside year-round. That's completely different from the big operations." As for the feeder pigs, they're housed in open pens that get an application of fresh straw twice daily. He believes clean living improves the flavour of his pork, and customers seem to agree. They rave about the quality of his products, which he delivers in person. "I do it all — phone calls, paperwork, seven days a week," he says. "I keep a list of people's cuts when they order pork and I'm on page 791 right now. I'm not really a rookie at it and it's growing every day. I'm getting new customers all the time." After a customer places an order, Smith sends the meat to be packed at All Natural Meats in Carman. "They do nitrate-free smoking and gluten-free sausage, if you want," he says. "Then I pick it up and deliver it to (the customer's) doorstep 10 days later." On delivery days, Smith meets the packers in Oak Bluff to pick up the meat in the morning. Then he starts a full day of free deliveries in Winnipeg, Steinbach and as far north as Fisher Branch. "I figure out how long it will take to get from one place to another and then add on a few more minutes for delays and chit-chat," he says. At each stage of the process, the secret to his success is to keep things simple. "I don't have a $300,000 piece of machinery here that you only use for two days of the year. Everything here is older equipment, yet it's workable and very easy to maintain," he says. "I'm also very fussy on the breeding stock I have and on selecting good strong females for mothers." Smith also has laying hens, a bull and three horses. And at the end of the day, he's proud to make a living off his small operation, with no need for off-farm income. "It's just a simple life of living. It pays the bills," he says. "And it feels good to wake up in the morning with peace of mind knowing I'm going out to healthy animals." ■ i n t e r l a k e interlake arborg & diStrict chamber of commerce aShern & diStrict chamber of commerce erikSdale & diStrict chamber of commerce fiSher branch chamber of commerce riVerton & diStrict chamber of commerce Selkirk biz teulon & diStrict chamber of commerce pigs have always been free to roam at ian Smith's argyle farm. Photos courtesy of Natural Raised Pork Tourism Programs ARRANGE A SEAT at 511 Robinson Avenue Tourism Ambassador Training (TAP) Consisting of 4 Modules: Tourism ~ Customer Service ~ Hospitality ~ Computers for Work Info: Jasmine at 204-482-2111 Meet & Greet with the leaders of Tourism in our region! Tourism Programs ARRANGE A SEAT at 511 Robinson Avenue Tourism Ambassador Training (TAP) Consisting of 4 Modules: Tourism ~ Customer Service ~ Hospitality ~ Computers for Work Info: Jasmine at 204-482-2111 Meet & Greet with the leaders of Tourism in our region!

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