by Angela Anderson Call them the ultimate ambassadors of pork. America’s multicultural consumers savor pork’s starring role in their cultural heritage and relish the chance to incorporate pork into their modern lifestyle. With record pork supplies, now is a prime time to connect with this growing market.To do that, earlier this year the Pork Checkoff […]
Paying It Back Ham by Ham
When pork producers introduced We CareSM, it was important that five of the six ethical principles were production related: Producing safe food, enhancing animal well-being, protecting the environment, safeguarding natural resources and providing a safe work environment. For the sixth and final ethical principle, there was no question that it would address contributing to a better quality of life in the communities they call home.
A Thousand Words…
If a picture’s worth a thousand words, the National Pork Board recently stepped up its dialogue with the public about how pigs are raised today with the debut of its new Pork Checkoff Photo Library. The online resource joins other Checkoff tools and programs designed to open the barn doors, both figuratively and literally, to increase transparency and build trust with consumers and other key audiences.
Are We There Yet?
Before hand-held games and in-car movies, parents tried to ward off the “Are we there yet?” question on road trips by keeping kids busy playing 20 Questions, I Spy or the License Plate Game, with the winner spotting plates from the most states. I couldn’t help but think of the latter game while attending World Pork Expo June 8 to 10 in Des Moines, Iowa. Just a quick pass through the parking lot showed cars from Minnesota to Texas and from California to New York.
Visionary Exemplifies Decades of Industry Success
Doing what’s best for people, pigs and the planet has been at the core of decades of continuous improvement in the pork industry. From producing leaner pork to reducing pork’s carbon footprint, dynamic individuals have stepped up and worked together to positively impact pig farmers’ ability to produce high-quality pork.
Connections Count
The massive light displays that greet you at New York City’s Times Square are always impressive, especially if you’re like me and grew up on a farm near a town with one traffic light (Audubon, Iowa). Keith Schoettmer, named America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM, recently made his first trip to New York City on behalf of the nation’s pork producers. The city of bright lights and millions of people offered an ideal venue to share producers’ commitment to responsible pork production.
Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon…
It was fitting that a Bacon Brothers concert, showcasing actor Kevin Bacon and his brother, Michael, capped off this summer’s grand opening celebration of Fair Oaks Farm’s Pork Education Center in Indiana… and not just because of the duo’s last name. The ag community can take a cue from the well-known “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game, which measures how closely the actor is linked to another celebrity.
Saying No to the Status Quo
At this year’s World Pork Expo, held June 3-5 in Des Moines, Iowa, Pork Checkoff events highlighted the innovation and creativity that pork producers have long demonstrated. From enhancing the daily care of animals in their barns to finding new ways to connect with customers, the focus remains on doing a better job.
5-Year Goal… Met and Surpassed
The pork industry chalked up some pretty impressive achievements last year. Some of these successes included the launch of the Common Swine Industry Audit, exports that again topped $6 billion, key research findings to help fight PEDV and creative new ways to share today’s pork production methods with consumers.
Making the Connection
Bringing safe, nutritious pork products to America’s tables has always been the focus of the nation’s pork producers. But with consumers’ increasing interest in how the food on their tables is raised, farmers also have made it a priority to connect with consumers by sharing their stories and facts about pork production today.