Restock Dates: Please see our Farm Blog where we post our weekly newsletter for the latest updates

Ask The Pig

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

October 27, 2018

Ask The Pig - What is GMO feed and does it matter? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

Almost all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.

Recent USDA studies show 92-94% of all corn and soybeans grown in the USA are GMO's and over 50% are fed to beef, pork, and chicken in Confinement Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO). Most of the balance can be found in some form in the products located in the center aisles of grocery stores.

At the 2013 Grassfed Exchange Conference, Dr. Don Huber, Emeritus Professor of Plant Pathology, Purdue University, presented two blocks on The Effects of Glyphosate (the reason we have GMO seeds). One of the slides he showed was a study on pigs where one group was fed NON-GMO feed and the second group was fed GMO fed. Please reference the slide below to see the effects of GMO fed on a pig's stomach from the study.

So, does it matter? I am sure the pig would say ABSOLUTELY! Just as what the pig eats does affect their health so does what we eat affect our health. It is all tied together. The healthier the soil - the healthier the plant - the healthier the animal - the healthier OUR FOOD!

Store Renovations: We have completed our store renovations! Our objective is to have fewer clicks to communicate our principles, practices, products, etc. as well as have a "refreshing" look. Please check us out and let us know what you think.

Customer Feedback-
"I have tried other local beef and your beef has the best flavor and tenderness!”
- S. Rayburn

Quote Worth Re-Quoting – “Future historians may will look back upon our time and write, not about how many pounds of pesticide we did or didn't apply, but by how willing we are to sacrifice our children and future generations for this massive genetic engineering experiment that is based on flawed science and failed promises just to benefit the bottom line of a commercial enterprise." ~Dr. Don Huber

As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm.
Ben & Beth













































































Copyright © 2018 Nature's Gourmet Farm, All rights reserved.
You joined this list by signing up on our website.

Our mailing address is:


Nature's Gourmet Farm


367 McKenzie Rd


Petal, MS 39465



Add us to your address book




Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list



































































































More from the blog

Health vs. Economics is THE Battle

Health vs. Economics is THE Battle - or maybe health vs. priorities of the general public when you consider that in 2024 the Apple App Store generated $1.3 trillion in sales!!! Vicki, a repeat customer from the MS Gulf Coast, sent me a short 3 minute video from a Joe Rogan Podcast with RFK Jr. discussing pig farms in North Carolina and how the CAFO pig operations got started. NOTE that the big companies own the pigs – the farmers only own the debt and do the work (and take all the risk). Please watch the video here.

"Pasture Raised" Defined

The USDA has officially updated the definition of “pasture-raised” to require that animals spend the majority of their lives on rooted, vegetative pasture, distinguishing it from “free-range,” which only mandates outdoor access. This update became effective March 2025. Here at Nature’s Gourmet Farm that is how we raise our animals – whether it be cows, pigs, meat chickens, egg layers, or turkeys. Pasture raised is our management choice and reflects our stewardship ethos. Frankly, pasture raised is how God created them to be versus. in a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). CAFOs represent man’s inhumane wisdom!!!

NGF Customer Speaks Out

NGF Customer Speaks Out - First, a little background. Stephen & his wife Mary Katherine have been customers of our farm for 5 years. They, along with their 3 boys, have visited our farm. We have shared many conversations about farming and how Mississippi is truly a "food desert" (on a grand scale when only 2% of the food grown in MS is actually raised in MS). I know their passion for eating healthy and supporting small farms. They know my passion to increase small farms that serve their communities nutritious food. One day at our Madison pickup Stephen and I were talking and he asked, "What can I do to help grow the number of small farms?"