A Salute to Our Pork Producers

Oct 14, 2024


A farmer petting pigs on a farm.
October is National Pork Month and we join people everywhere to thank our pork producers for their dedication to provide the quality meats we all enjoy.

Hog production is an important business in our state. Currently, hogs are the 10th largest agricultural commodity in Tennessee with receipts valued at more than $55.2 million. From small family operations producing farm fresh pork for their communities to large operations handling several thousand hogs, there are lots of people in the industry who are involved.

“We appreciate our swine farmers who work so hard every day,” says Phyllis Ferguson, executive vice president of the Tennessee Pork Producers Association. “October is dedicated to them and to recognize their dedication to providing for us in this state and the U.S. and to putting food on the table for us.”

To help kick off Pork Month, 311 pounds of pork was recently donated to Cul2vate by a collaboration of folks in the pork industry who use their resources to help those with food insecurity in the state. The meat came from the grand champion hogs that were shown at the Wilson County/Tennessee State Fair by students Bailey Ball of Campbell County who showed the grand champion purebred barrow, and Braxton Burr of Overton County who showed the grand champion crossbred barrow.

Jimmy Tosh of Tosh Farms purchased the hogs at the fair to donate and complementary processing was provided by Potts Meats of Wartrace. On hand for the pork presentation was Dr. Charlie Hatcher, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Agriculture; Shari Bazydola, Terry McPeak, and Julie Phillips, representing the fair;  and Joey Lankford, executive director at Cul2vate.

“Cul2vate sends locally grown produce to partners like Second Harvest Food Bank, One Generation Away, Grace Works, and other organizations that are out there making sure that people who have food issues are getting food boxes,” says Joey Lankford. “We are so happy to be able to put protein in our vegetable boxes as well to give out to the families who need it.”

Bailey and Braxton both agree that showing pigs has been an enjoyable pastime and they encourage more youth to get involved.

“Showing pigs is so much fun; it’s been a very good experience,” says Bailey, who’s in her second year of showing. “Pigs are out of this world.”

“I just fell in love with showing hogs,” adds Braxton, who’s been showing the animals for 10 years. “I enjoy spending time with them and getting them ready for the show ring.”

Whether you show, breed, or raise swine, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative salutes all of those who work in the Tennessee pork industry for their dedication and hard work to keep one of our state’s viable commodities strong for generations to come.
 

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