Transforming Waste into a Resource: How Coen Farm Produces Nutrient Dense Food

chores design duckweed livestock feed milk fed pigs pork

At Coen Farm, they're constantly designing and improving systems that regenerate the land, nourish the community, and inspire others. In Takota's most watched YouTube video, he shares how Coen Farm raises pork using several innovative methods. It’s a window into the care and thought they bring into every aspect of their work. Here are the key takeaways from the video that illustrate how regenerative systems can benefit both land and people.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/CloGPgGE9WQ

1. Transforming Waste into a Resource: The Power of Duckweed

At Coen Farm, waste is an opportunity. Their aquaculture system harnesses runoff from their livestock hub to grow duckweed, a protein-rich aquatic plant that serves as the backbone of their pigs’ diet.

Nutritional Value: Duckweed contains more protein than soy and is rich in omega-3s.
Eco-Friendly Loop: Nutrients from livestock waste grow duckweed, which is fed back to the pigs, completing a sustainable cycle.
Unexpected Results: The pork even contains seafood-grade omega-3s, a testament to the system’s efficacy.

This system isn’t just about feed—it’s about rethinking waste as a valuable resource.

2. Fermented Feed for Flavor and Nutrition

Fermented feed is a cornerstone of Coen Farm’s pork production, bringing health benefits to the pigs and exceptional flavor to the meat.

What’s in the Feed? A mix of sourdough grain, raw milk, and hay is fermented for 24 hours to create “piggy porridge.”
Why Fermentation? Pre-digesting the feed through fermentation makes it easier for pigs to absorb nutrients, enhances the flavor, and reduces feed costs.
A Taste of Excellence: The result is pork so rich and flavorful that it’s often mistaken for beef!

This approach ensures healthier animals and higher-quality food for their clients.

3. The Integrated Livestock System: A Hub-and-Spoke Design

One of the farm’s most innovative features is its hub-and-spoke integrated livestock system, designed to mimic natural ecosystems.

Hub-and-Spoke Model: Animals rotate through pastures radiating from a central hub, grazing on fresh forage and moving in harmony with seasonal cycles while allowing the land to recover.
Diverse Foraging Options: From pastures and wetlands to forested areas, livestock graze on a variety of resources depending on the season.
Benefits: This system keeps animals healthy, reduces labor, and improves land fertility.

This integrated approach is a perfect example of how thoughtful design creates opportunities for a symbiotic relationship between livestock and the land. Transform a farm or homestead into a thriving ecosystem.

4. Cattails and Constructed Wetlands: Nature’s Hidden Gems

At Coen Farm, even wetlands become a productive asset. The farm’s constructed wetlands grow cattails, a highly productive aquatic plant that serves as a natural, self-harvested feed source for pigs.

Nutritional Powerhouse: Cattail roots and tubers outshine traditional crops like potatoes and rice in protein, digestibility, and mineral content.
Self-Harvesting System: Pigs dig up cattail roots and tubers themselves, reducing labor while providing a nutrient-dense diet for the pigs.

This approach showcases how regenerative systems can transform underutilized landscapes into thriving ecosystems and make the most of nature’s resources.

5. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

Biodiversity is at the heart of Coen Farm’s philosophy, and it’s a cornerstone of regenerative farming. Regenerative agriculture thrives on diversity. At Coen Farm, their animals have access to a variety of forages, ensuring their diets—and the land—remain balanced and healthy.

Nutrient Density: Healthy ecosystems produce nutrient-dense food. By offering a variety of forages, we ensure our animals get what they need to thrive.
Intelligent Grazing: Pigs, chickens, and cows have the freedom to “grocery shop,” choosing the foods that meet their needs. By accessing a range of forages, from grasses and roots to aquatic plants, each animal can choose what their bodies need.

This approach builds resilience in both animals and the ecosystems they inhabit.

6. Mentoring and Designing Regenerative Systems

At Building Your Homestead, we take the same care and thought that goes into Coen Farm and apply it to the homesteads we help design. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimize your systems, we can guide you.

For Homesteaders: Building Your Homestead provides guidance for homesteaders at every stage, from land purchases and initial planning to optimizing existing systems. We offer mentorship to help you integrate regenerative practices into your homestead.
Custom Concept Designs: Our designs balance functionality and beauty while lowering input costs. We design homesteads that serve as functioning ecosystems in partnership with nature while being tailored to our client's unique land and goals.
Why Regenerative? It’s not just about growing food—it’s about creating systems that heal the land and nourish your family and community.

Conclusion: Join the Homesteading Revolution

The practices showcased in this video—from aquaculture to rotational grazing—illustrate what’s possible when we partner with nature on our farms and homesteads. Homesteaders of all levels can take inspiration from these systems, whether they’re looking to improve their land, raise healthier animals, or build a thriving ecosystem.

To learn more about the work being done at Coen Farm, visit www.coenfarm.ca.

For personalized guidance on designing your own regenerative systems, connect with Building Your Homestead.