Sooooey!

McCrady's Farm, Wadmalaw, SC

My friend Andre' invited me to see the farm where chef Sean Brock nurtures his heirloom seeds, grows fresh produce for McCrady's restaurant and raises pigs. We headed out to Wadmalaw Island, stopping at the Piggly Wiggly on Johns Island for tea and coffee for us, and a couple gallons of milk for the famous piggies I'd been hearing about.

The farm was cool. The day was bright and sunny. After we walked the fields we took the dirt road to the pig farm. The promised routine was that the pigs would hear the car coming and rush from the woods for their treats.

There were no pigs anywhere. Not one. Andre' banged on the car to get their attention. We climbed over the fence and through the marsh calling for the darn piggies. Not a peep. Not an oink. Not a squeal.

It's been suggested that the herd of lowcountry pigs didn't feel like responding to a Frenchman and a Canadian making pig calls. Hmmmph. I'm still not convinced there are any pigs, but just in case, I found the video from the Iowa State Fair Hog Calling contest and I've been practicing. Pig Calling 101

Stay tuned kids. One day I'll tell you the story about my elementary school teacher leaping out of the classroom window to save my five year old brother and his friends who had set the neighbor's thatched pig pen on fire smoking their first cigarettes in secret.