We’re obsessed with growing your own, brewing your own and baking your own, but what about rearing your own? Those of you unconvinced by our recent vegetarian and vegan posts may be interested in a Welsh community’s plans to become self sufficient.

The fantastically monikered People in Grosmont - P.I.G., geddit? - have set up a scheme where 21 families contributed £50 apiece for a stake-in some bacon (groan, sorry). 13 piglets have been reared so far from two Tamworths named Duchess and Princess, with the aim being to “allow the co-operative’s members to access good quality, hand-reared and locally produced pork at prices far cheaper than supermarkets offer”.

The rising price of grain (70% more dear now than 18 months ago) has thwarted that plan somewhat, but founder member Alistair McGowan insists it’s about more than money, “about the process and not the production, and about the community as much as the meat we’re making”. Still, on such a small scale farming like this has a massive impact on the quality of life of the animals involved. We all know ‘free range’ doesn’t really mean carefree gallops through grassy fields, so it’s wonderful to see people taking it upon themselves to be more responsible.

To see a village come together over something as essential as food production is a great thing, hearking back to past times when communities traded amongst themselves, threw in their lot with each other and shared the chores. It’s proof that we can opt out of the modern grind if we care enough - we wish P.I.G. the very best of luck.

Over to you - how far would you go for ethical, sustainable meat? Have you always secretly longed for a chicken run in the garden? Or do you have a favourite local butcher you can recommend? We want to know what you think - hit those comments!

Photo credit: Three Little Pigs! by johnmuk (CC License)

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