Bacon-Oiled Beard Brings Home 2022’s Best Beard in the Pork Industry

Scott Smith is the winner of the 2022 Farm Journal’s PORK Best Beards in the Pork Industry Contest.
Scott Smith is the winner of the 2022 Farm Journal’s PORK Best Beards in the Pork Industry Contest.
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The modern beard is the bear hug of facial fashion, says 2022 Farm Journal’s PORK Best Beards in the Pork Industry Contest judge Clinton Griffiths.

“It wraps its whisker-shod visage in a tight embrace while providing warmth, utility and comfort,” notes Griffiths, host of AgDay TV and editor of Farm Journal. “Genetics created me a non-facial hair participant so instead I look on in awe and wonder at those with the ability to accessorize their jawline in full regalia.”

There’s no question the competition was stiff in the 2022 Farm Journals’ PORK Best Beards in the Pork Industry Contest, with the highest number of entries and the highest quality of entries yet. Long beards, neatly trimmed beards, wild beards, colorful beards...the variety of types in the contest made it challenging as a “winning” beard is subjective, the judges noted. 

For judge Gene Noem, director of the North American supply chain for Genus PLC and former president of the National Pork Board, the pressure was tough, he says. He appreciated traits such as fullness, maturity of the growth and beards trimmed to a shape.

Scott Smith
1st Place: Bacon + A Well-Oiled Beard for the Win

That might be why Scott Smith’s winning beard caught every judge’s eye. Smith serves as the National Pork Board’s assistant controller and is from Windsor Heights, Iowa.  

For judge Barb Determan, president of Heartland Marketing Group and former president of the National Pork Producers Council, it was hard to beat a great beard with a bacon background! She said she appreciated how full and nicely trimmed this entry was. 

“Nothing says winning pork industry beard like a man wearing bacon,” Griffiths points out. “This is clearly a promotional picture to sell beard oil, but the execution is point perfect. A full, well-manicured and glistening beard pops from this bacon-framed face. The sweet aroma of Saturday morning brunch no doubt fills the room when this beard walks in. While not shown with swine barn surroundings, the product is clearly pork adjacent. A welcoming smile and dapper dress, round out a friendly mien.”

Smith’s nominator, Kristin Zipperlin, says he approaches care of his beard like he does his job.

“Scott is a detail-orientated individual serving on National Pork Board’s finance team,” Zipperlin says. “He supports state pork associations and the board of directors by giving clear insight into Checkoff funds provided by America’s pig farmers.”

Tim Higgins
2nd Place: Best Beard in the Barn

Still, the second-place beard of Tim Higgins’ of AgCreate Solutions in Monticello, Ill., won the judges over and received the priceless, yet prize-less honor of “Best Beard in the Barn.” 

“This is an awesome beard plus it’s combined with a picture of a piglet – that’s a great combination!” says Determan. “He was so close to winning it all. A nice, thick, full beard with a touch of color to add interest in by far the best setting in my mind.”

From graphic designer to instructional technologist to professional photographer, Higgins wears many hats at AgCreate Solutions. 

“Some people care for sows and baby pigs as they are born. Some people manage feed mills. Some people drive trucks. Some people admit to putting extra conditioner on their beard as they shower out of farms. And others take pictures and videos to inspire people to offer great care to pigs every day. Tim Higgins falls in the last two categories,” says Higgins’ nominator Sarah Probst Miller.

Barry Johnson
3rd Place: The New Yankee Workshop of Beards Award

Barry Johnson’s beard finished third in a tough group of beards. Johnson is the farm maintenance coordinator with the Premium Genetics division of Smithfield Foods in Tarboro, N.C.

“I call this entry the craftsman cut. The bald above, lengthy whiskers below indicate a man of experience and dedication to his business. While abandoning follicular ineptness on his head, the masterful intensity of this man’s beard screams an ‘I’ll make it work’ mentality. No doubt this is the ‘New Yankee Workshop’ of beards,” Griffiths says. “His days are filled solving problems via paperclips and rubber bands. He’s never opened an IKEA box in fear. The clavicle-length beard shines in blonde with accents of red and white. It’s a sturdy example of the modern porcine participant harkening true notes of Socrates and Plato at every turn.”

Johnson started his career in the pork industry in 2009 working for Hog Slat as a construction site coordinator, says nominator Jamie Mcauslan. He joined Smithfield Foods in 2011 and has worked his way up to his current role of farm maintenance coordinator. 

“BJ is a valued team member due to his knowledge and experience, but also due to his positive attitude and gift for teaching others. He is a true joy to work with and has a great beard to top it all off,” Mcauslan says.

Tag Bradley
4th Place: The Cruella de Vil Beard Award

Tag Bradley of Dalhart, Texas, turned heads with his fourth-place beard. 

“Great beard! You are blessed with a nice mix of color,” Noem says. “You deserve the Cruella de Vil (from 101 Dalmatians) Award. You have a nice, full-volume, well-trimmed beard. However, one must rank the contestants and this one fell No.4 in this group. Please keep coming back.”

Bradley is the general manager for JBS Live Pork and has been at this swine location for many years through various companies that have owned this site, says his nominator Dana Jo Wilkinson.

"That award-winning beard comes from 25+ years of dedication to the hog industry here in the Texas panhandle," Wilkinson says. "He's worked hard for every one of those white hairs."

Eric Atkinson
5th Place: The Let’s See What Happens Next Year Award

Eric Atkinson, operations manager for Prestage Ag Energy in Clinton, N.C., finished fifth with his beard that judge Griffiths had a lot to say about. 

“This ‘Let’s see what happens’ beard no doubt is formed by patient indignance. As the wearer expresses a novel, never-go-back face hanger, it’s clearly buffeted by both fullness and length. A blocky, rectangular shape, each added inch marks a milestone like Rip Van Winkle slumbering through the passage of time. Casually kept, trimmed yet free handed, this beard exudes quiet confidence and sparkles with whimsy,” Griffiths says.

Atkinson’s beard, while massive, is also carefully tended, says his nominator James “Cookie” Lamb.

“This is a man who is intentional and fully invested in his beard. This isn’t somebody who grows a beard for ‘No Shave November’ to be one of the cool kids. This beard is a lifestyle,” Lamb says.

The Too-Good-Not-to-Share Beards

Billy Harris
6th place:  Billy Harris, Farrowing team lead at Mulberry Creek Farms in Amsterdam, Mo.

“Wow! Ranking these beards with so many great ones like yours wasn’t easy. You fell to sixth in a tough class,” Determan says. “Including pigs in your picture was a great eye-catcher. A good, thick, full, dark beard grabs everyone’s attention.”

Jason Pooley
7th place: Jason Pooley, health programs manager for PIC in Hendersonville, Tenn.

“Nicely trimmed! Unique! Other beards were fuller and hit our thoughts on a winning beard,” Noem says. “If we had the ‘Longhorn Award’ or the "Try to Tickle Your Ears Award,’ you would be in. A very nicely groomed beard.” 

Rod Smith
8th place: Rod Smith of Rodney Smith Farm, a Smithfield contractor, in Pink Hill, N.C.

“A nice short beard, it just needed more growth to run with this pack,” Determan says. “I would definitely name this one as the ‘Best Starter Beard.’ Come back for the fun next year.”

Nat Staas
9th place:  Nat Stas, PIC technical services manager, in Hendersonville, Tenn. 

“The auburn frosty is in a battle with mother nature and winning. This beard’s compact and tight interlocking construct has created a barrier against the elements. The polar vortex and its onslaught of ice and snow have proven no match for this beard’s otter-like encapsulation of the wearer’s face,” Griffiths says. “It’s clear by his smile that winter’s icy grip is no match for a chinstrap of warmth. Kept outside of a coat, it even helps to insulate the neckline against the elements. This is a perfect accessory for upper latitude living.”

Joey Short
10th Place: Joey Short, head of farrowing for Peters Creek Sow Farms, of Murphy Family Ventures, in Rosboro, N.C.

“You have the makings man! We just need more length and some trimming round the bottom as she grows. Please join our contest next year,” Noem says. “This is simply the same as looking at a corn crop in June, when success is more accurately measuring by walking rows and counting kernels in August.”

See our past winners here:

A Brute of a Beard: Purser Wins 2021 Beard Contest

Unsettling and Awe-Inspiring: Kipker Wins 2020 Beard Contest

Who’s Bringing Home the “Bacon” for Best Beard in Pork Industry?

 

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