State pork associations are keeping busy this summer. Here’s a round-up of some of the big headlines.
Indiana Pork Unveils 2025 Indiana State Fair Taste of the Fair: “Hog and Slaw”
Indiana Pork announces the official “Taste of the Fair” of the 2025 Indiana State Fair: the Hog and Slaw – a mouthwatering pulled pork sandwich topped with creamy coleslaw and served on a soft bun.
According to Indiana Pork, the Hog and Slaw shows off the versatility of pork. It combines tender, slow-cooked pulled pork with the crunch and tang of fresh coleslaw. The result is a flavor-packed, fair-ready sandwich that’s equal parts comfort food and delicious, the organization said in a release.
“This sandwich is a delicious addition to our menu of popular pork items,” Jeanette Merritt, director of communications at Indiana Pork, said in a release. “We wanted to create something simple, hearty, and fun! The Hog and Slaw delivers on all fronts.”
The Hog and Slaw will be available exclusively at the Indiana Pork Tents throughout the 2025 Indiana State Fair, running August 1–17 (closed on Mondays) at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Learn more at www.indianapork.org.
Ohio’s Pig Farmers Help Ease Protein Gap in Northeast Ohio
Although 1 in 7 people in northeast Ohio are food insecure, Ohio’s pig farmers are helping to ease their protein needs by making another donation this summer of $5,000 of nutritious pork to be distributed by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (GFCB), the Ohio Pork Council (OPC) shared in a release.
“This is truly a partnership that we are so fortunate to continue each year with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank,” Nathan Schroeder, OPC president and farmer from Leipsic, Ohio, said in a release. “We know the need for high-quality protein is especially high right now, so we’re pleased to do a small part to help fill the gap that exists and help out fellow Ohioans.”
By providing over 54 million pounds of food and serving more than 424,000 individuals during FY24, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank is committed to supporting individuals who are facing food insecurity across Ashland, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Richland counties. In addition, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank provided assistance to nearly 39,000 individuals, helping them sign up for SNAP benefits and other resources.
Two Missouri Youth Awarded 2025 Youth Pork Institute Scholarships
The 2025 University of Missouri Youth Pork Institute, sponsored by the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the Missouri Pork Association, was held June 9 through June 11 in Columbia.
Students toured the Mizzou campus and attended several educational sessions focused on areas such as biosecurity, pork processing, nutrition, breeding and market hog evaluation, meat evaluation, biomedical pigs, ultra sounding, and artificial insemination. According to Missouri Pork, the students were also introduced to a variety of career opportunities within the pork industry and an overview of cooking pork with a chef.
At the end of the three-day long institute, students took an exam covering all the information learned. The top two scoring students were each awarded a scholarship.
Keenan Kleiboeker of Stotts City, Mo., and Eli Rajawitz of Dixon, Mo., each received a $1,000 scholarship to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia as long as they enter with an agriculture-based major upon completion of high school, Missouri Pork said.
Iowa Pork Producers Association Welcomes 2025 Summer Interns
The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) welcomed two Iowa State University students as summer interns. Alley Odland of Webster City, Iowa, will gain hands-on experience in promotions and communications, while Josh Wiley of Walker, Iowa, will gain hands-on experience in outreach and legislative engagement as part of IPPA’s efforts to support future leaders in the pork industry. Both interns plan to continue careers in agriculture after graduation.
Odland, a junior majoring in animal science with a swine certificate, is serving as the promotions and outreach intern. Throughout the summer, she will assist with county pork promotions, help coordinate the Bacon Buddies program, and contribute to IPPA’s presence at summer grilling events across the state. She is also playing a key role in preparing the farrowing display in the Animal Learning Center at the Iowa State Fair.
Wiley, also a junior in animal science, is serving as IPPA’s legislative intern. His internship begins with a five-week stay in Washington, D.C., where he is working closely with lawmakers and policy advisors. There, he is gaining insight into the legislative process, especially as it relates to agricultural policy and its impact on producers back home in Iowa. While in the capital, he is attending hearings, meeting with members of Congress and their staff, and learning how decisions made at the federal level shape the future of the pork industry. When he returns to Iowa later this summer, Wiley will help lead preparations for the Iowa Pork Tent at the Iowa State Fair.
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