Samson Samson and friends: Student Tim Huebler and Morris Far Program Manager, Diane Popp. (Photo Barbara Martin)

There's no place like home… just ask Samson, an American Guinea Hog that has called Wiscasset's Morris Farm Land Trust and Educational Center home since he was knee high to a cow.

Samson hails from a distinctive lineage that could be more impressive than many of our own. The American Guinea Hog is a very rare and endangered species. According to Educational Program Manager Diane Hoppe, there are only about 60 registered Guinea Hogs living at this time.

He and his future mate, Delilah, were donated to The Morris Farm in 1994 by a patron who bought the couple from a farm in Virginia.

Samson and Delilah lived in wedded bliss at The Morris Farm for many years and had two litters of piglets. However since Delilah passed away, Samson has been alone with the exception of the other critters living on the farm. Fortunately, he is delighted to have many children who visit regularly and just love to hug this handsome hunk of a hog.

Okay, handsome may be a little over the top, but Samson is certainly a fine figure of a hog who stands about three feet tall and weighs between 250 and 300 pounds. He is covered with a thin coat of bristly black hair which one young "farmer" said reminds her of "touching a toothbrush."

Last spring, when a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of love, the farm decided to loan Samson to Sullbar Farm in New Hampshire, which specializes in American and rare breed animals. It was time for Samson to get on with his love life.

Sullbar Farm describes their mission on their website by saying they "chose to raise American Guinea Hogs out of a desire to do our part in preserving what was an integral part of our country's farm history."

The site tells readers that Samson and others like him have a docile nature, "produce outstanding meat," and "enjoyed popularity on small U.S. farms until commercial pork production and supermarket demand pushed them to the brink of extinction."

Hoppe referred to Samson as a "lard hog." Although that has a derogatory ring to human ears, it is seen as quite a compliment among hogs. Sullbar Farm's website fleshes out the definition: "they will fatten up quickly on commercial feed, but also can utilize grass and locally-foraged foods… and are the perfect size for families wishing to grow their own meat under healthful conditions."

Samson enjoyed his Sullbar Farm vacation, made many new friends, and yes, once again, found a sow that he could settle down with. Setty Lilly, a pretty little thing from a farm in Missouri, won his Yankee heart and doing what comes naturally just naturally occurred.

Hoppe explained that the gestation period for hogs is three months, three weeks, and three days, not to be specific. Right now, Samson is waiting for word that he and Lilly's time in hog heaven has paid off for the future of their breed by bringing several new American Guinea "hoglets" into the world.

Because Samson has not been bred for many years, Jim and Shirley Barnett, owners of Sullbar farm, are very excited about the chance to include him in their breeding program. In fact, they have gone hog wild, describing his efforts for the cause as "invaluable."

"We started what has become a 6,000 mile quest to find examples of the breed in 2005," Jim said. "Samson is unique because we cannot find any other Guinea Hogs related to him."

To explain it more vividly, he said, "Samson's family tree doesn't have many branches on it, making him a real asset to furthering the breed." He continues to add that his genetics will strengthen the bloodlines.

All of Samson's friends will be happy to know that he is back home, looks as fetching as ever and continues eating with reckless abandon. The Barnetts promise to let his Wiscasset family share in the blessed event as soon as it occurs and will send pictures. The Morris Farm may even return the favor by bringing one of Samson's offspring to the farm for our viewing pleasure.

Anyone interested in more information about American Guinea Hogs can go to the following website at www.sulbarfarm.com . The Barnetts would appreciate any information about a hog that owners think may be one of this special breed. Those who want to meet the proud father can take a ride to the one and only Morris Farm on Route 27.