The Grazers Behind Our Sustainable Skincare
I never imagined that our little Iowa farm — the same land my grandfather once tended — would one day become the heart of a skincare business I’d build with my daughter. But here we are. And in many ways, it all makes perfect sense.
At Meadowlark Made + Farm, everything we create begins with a posture of respect — for the land, the animals, and the stories woven into both. What started as a return to the farm after two decades in the Air Force turned into a life of raising heritage animals, practicing regenerative farming, and ultimately, crafting nourishing skincare rooted in old-world wisdom.
This is the story behind the grazers (and the heart!) of our apothecary.
From Service to Stewardship
After 20 years in the military, my husband retired and we were ready for a different kind of life, one with roots. So we packed up our family and came back to Iowa, settling on the same land my grandfather farmed generations ago.
We didn’t just want to farm — we wanted to steward. To raise animals in a way that honored the rhythms of nature and the goodness of God’s creation. And when we met our first Kunekune pigs, we knew they were a perfect fit.
Why Kunekunes?
Kunekunes are gentle, slow-growing, and deeply connected to the land. They’re one of the few pig breeds that can thrive on pasture alone. With their short, upturned snouts and calm temperament, they graze rather than root — nourishing the soil instead of disturbing it.
They are, quite honestly, a joy to raise.
Their fat is creamy and clean, beautifully marbled, and rich in fat-soluble vitamins — a gift we’ve learned to honor fully.
From Snout to Tail: Honoring the Whole Animal
On our farm, animals aren’t just “raised.” They’re lived with. Tended daily. Named. Cared for with reverence.
When the time comes, we do not take their harvest lightly. It’s never easy. There’s always a quiet moment of prayer and gratitude. We believe deeply in honoring the lives of our animals — using everything we can, with nothing wasted.
One of the most meaningful ways we live that out is by slow-rendering the fat into healing tallow. It’s a practice rooted in tradition — and for us, in worship. A way to show respect and thank you to God for the animals we’ve been called to steward.
More on Honoring the Whole Animal
The Apothecary Was A Collaborative Idea
Before Meadowlark Made had a name, I was slow-rendering tallow in my farmhouse kitchen, experimenting with ways to use what our farm provided.
When my daughter became a mom, she came to me looking for pure, wholesome products for her son. Together we combined her background in holistic esthetics and our mutual love of natural traditional remedies — what began as a few jars in our kitchen has grown into Meadowlark Made, a prairie apothecary rooted in our land, our family, and our desire to care for others the way we care for our own.
Why Tallow?
We started using pasture-raised tallow in basic skincare formulas for our own family, and the results were undeniable:
Deep, lasting moisture
Comfort for dry, sensitive skin
No fillers, no synthetics — just real nourishment
It felt like our skin was finally receiving what it had been missing.
We blend our tallow with herbs from the farm and other whole, recognizable ingredients. No greenwashing. No fluff. Just traditional skincare that works.
Regenerative Farming: Working With Nature, Not Against It
We rotate our pigs across pasture, giving the land time to rest and regrow. This method:
Rebuilds soil
Sequesters carbon
Supports biodiversity
Keeps the land healthy for future generations
It’s not just ethical — it’s hopeful. A way of farming that feeds both the earth and the people.
How We Feed Our Pigs
Our Kunekunes eat with the seasons. In spring and summer, they graze fresh grass and forage to their hearts’ content. We supplement their diet with:
Non-GMO mixed grain (a small amount each day)
Apples from our orchard
Pumpkins from nearby farms
Carrots, potatoes, and garden scraps
Alfalfa hay during the winter months
No GMOs. No weird fillers. Just real, seasonal food that keeps them thriving — and makes our tallow as clean and nourishing as it can be.
What You’re Supporting
When you choose our skincare, you're choosing more than a product. You're choosing:
Animals raised with love and dignity
Regenerative agriculture that heals the land
Simple ingredients that speak for themselves
Generational wisdom and hands-on care
A mother-daughter team who believes in doing things the long way — the right way
Every jar we send out reflects our faith, our work, and our gratitude. It’s personal.
From Our Family to Yours
We didn’t set out to start a skincare brand. We just followed the path that felt honest — and it led us here.
At Meadowlark Made + Farm, we believe the way we live should match the way we create: rooted in reverence, soaked in sunlight, and grounded in grace.
We’re proud to raise Kunekune pigs, to render their tallow with intention, and to craft healing products that nourish body and soul.
Thank you for choosing nose-to-tail, ethical skincare — and for joining us on this journey.
With love,
Heather & the Scar Family
