Melissa Melhaus raises Animal Welfare Approved hogs on Fredheim Farm in Scandia, Kansas. Melissa grew up on a farm and has been farming for most of her life. Today she still manages the farm that she grew up on.

The hogs are raised on an all vegetarian feed, often getting treats of sweet corn and other veggie compost from Melissa’s one acre garden. In the summertime when it’s very hot, the pigs can often be found on the edge of the yard where the pasture meets the sprinklers for the row crops. The pigs very much enjoy their little sunny, summertime “rain” showers!

Melissa has chosen to raise hogs from the red wattle breed as they are docile, easy to handle and good mothers. When Melissa started raising them six years ago, she was one of only six farmers who belonged to the Red Wattle Association. Today there are many more farmers who are members of that association, which Melissa believes is testimony to the value and quality of red wattle pork.

Melissa’s hogs are finished at Larry and Madonna Sorrel’s AWA Lazy S. Farm and sold through Heritage Foods. For more information you may contact Melissa at jmelhus@rhelectric.net.