KuneKune Bookstore

About the Author, Kathy Petersen of Virginia KuneKunes

Kathy Petersen is a passionate advocate for small-scale farming and homesteading. She has been working with KuneKune pigs for over a decade, breeding them for their meat and using them as an important part of her homestead. She has also worked with other livestock animals such as chickens, cows, and goats. Kathy's

love for animals began in her childhood, when she began to bring home every stray cat, kitten, and dog she came across. Her parents were none too happy with this as you can imagine. It did not seem to deter her. Later in life, she managed a vet clinic for 5 years which gave her a vast number of animals to be able to work with. 

Later she began a successful Austrian Shepherd breeding program for just over 12 years. Showing in conformation and competing in obedience was a family affair.

Longing for another incredible breed to raise led her to research into potential candidates. That is where she found the amazing breed of pig called KuneKune pigs. It was an immediate love affair with the breed as she thoroughly researched the interesting history of the breed. Not long after, she began to collect her herd. 

How she began with KuneKunes

Reaching out to some of the top breeders in the country, absorbing every bit of knowledge she could obtain. She became the 33rd KuneKune Breeder in the USA. These small, friendly pigs were perfect for small-scale farming and homesteading, with their easy-going temperament and their ability to thrive on pasture. Kathy saw the potential for KuneKune pigs to become an important part of sustainable agriculture, and she began to focus her work on breeding these pigs and helping others to do the same.

Over the years, Kathy has become an expert in KuneKune pig breeding and management. She has worked with breeders all over the country, mentoring many KuneKune owners, learning from their experiences and sharing her own knowledge. She has written extensively on KuneKune pigs, publishing articles in various agricultural publications and sharing her knowledge openly.

Working with KuneKune Registries

After teaming up with Matt Burton in 2013, as her mentor and dear friend, they along with Lisa Helfer and Christopher Rowley, created the American KuneKune Pig Society. She served many important roles for the organization over her 10 years. In fact she was the only founder that was active for 10 years, volunteering for 3 years to ensure the success of the organization. She was the founding, Vice President. She held many positions within the organization during her 10 years; President, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Treasurer and served as the only Registrar for 10 years. 

Later, seeing the need for improvement within the KuneKune Community and the need for an organization that is truly focused on member assistance, she began a new and improved registry called the International KuneKune Pig Society (IKKPS) to continue her passion for the breed and the breeders that raise them. Kathy’s goal is to help small-scale farmers and homesteaders to succeed in their farming endeavors. She believes that KuneKune pigs can play a significant role in sustainable agriculture, providing high-quality meat and helping to enrich the soil. Through her work, she hopes to inspire others to embrace the joys and challenges of small-scale farming and homesteading.

Qualifications:

• 33rd breeder of KuneKunes in the USA
• Breeder of KuneKunes for 10+ years with a large herd of over 32 pigs, featuring 22 bloodlines
• AKKPS Founder
• Founding Vice President, prior President, Treasurer, Webmaster and Newsletter Editor of the American KuneKune Pig Society
• KuneKune Registrar for 10+ years
• Founder of the International KuneKune Pig Society
• Author of many articles for the American Livestock Magazine, Grit Magazine, Hobby Farms Magazine and Countryside Magazine.

Kathy will be offering more KuneKune eBooks in the KuneKune Bookstore as they are published.