Why One Commercial Pork Operation Decided to Get in the Show Ring

Like many county fairs, the numbers of swine entries were dropping at the Watonwan County Fair in St. James, Minn. 4-H leaders met to figure out ways to get more 4-Hers involved. The result? An Adopt-A-Pig program.

With the large number of 4-H members living in town, Olivia Wolle, an animal welfare specialist at Wakefield Pork, Inc., says this program is designed to give all kids an opportunity to bring livestock to the fair and house them on a farm. 

Wakefield Pork markets around 1.4 million pigs each year and cares for 55,000 sows. For this family-oriented pig farming operation based in Gaylord, Minn., choosing to help youth out through this program was a no-brainer.

“Wakefield Pork saw the need to increase awareness of the pork industry,” Wolle says. “By donating pigs to the program, we can connect more individuals to the industry we love. Not only are we able to educate the youth of Watonwan County on modern pork production, but we are also able to promote the pork industry and answer questions from not only the 4-Hers, but their families as well.”

4-H members in the Adopt-A-Pig commit to work with their pigs at least twice a week. Photo by Wakefield Pork.

What’s the Catch?
The program is open to any youth in Watonwan County 4-H, Wolle explains. All participants sign a contract verifying they will go to the farm where the pigs are housed at least two times per week all summer to help care for the pigs by feeding and watering and cleaning the pen at least once a week. 

Participants can choose to have one or two pigs to show. The pigs are brought to the Wakefield Pork farm they are housed at in May. From there, the kids care for the pigs. Wakefield Pork and Watonwan County 4-H usually hold three to four group sessions during the summer to educate the youth on their pigs and team members are available anytime for questions, she adds. 

Finally, the pigs are brought to the fair where they are shown and can participate in the ribbon auctions. After the fair, the pigs are harvested. 

Wolle says there is always a lot of interest in the program, but admits the greatest challenge is getting families to commit. 

“Most of the kids have never been involved in livestock and there can be some hesitation. Once they join the program, they are usually involved in the years to come and enjoy their time,” Wolle says.

The opportunity to care for and show pigs at the county fair is a great way for kids to learn important life skills. Photo by Wakefield Pork.

Immeasurable Opportunities
Not only does this program allow kids to explore agriculture, but they also learn valuable skills such as responsibility and accountability.

“Whether they live in town or on a farm, this program allows kids the opportunity to learn something new and care for livestock. Additionally, there are lessons throughout the summer that help inform them on basic pig information and care, swine industry topics, as well as how to show a pig,” says Kendra Van Deest, animal welfare officer at Wakefield Pork. 

One of the biggest surprises of this program for Van Deest has been experiencing the drive of the 4-H members in the program. 

“I have seen a kid from town, with no experience with livestock, have the determination to care for and form a bond with his pig. This individual also impressed me with how well he handled a market-sized pig. He was such a calm kid that wanted to learn so much,” Van Deest says.

Watching the kids develop more confidence and leadership ability has also been a highlight. One of Wolle’s favorite stories was witnessing a quiet boy who was scared to get into the pen with his pig mature and grow in the program.

“As the summer went on, his confidence grew. By the end of the summer, he was the first one in the pen with the pigs and was laughing and talking with the other kids. Adopt-A-Pig was a huge confidence booster for him, and he also has a group of lifelong friends in 4-H now who share the same summer memories of the program,” Wolle says.

Confidence is just one of the skills 4-H members gain from participating in the Adopt-A-Pig program. Photo by Wakefield Pork.

Invaluable Ties
As the disconnect between consumers and producers grows, Van Deest says seizing opportunities like this allow Wakefield Pork to spread awareness to consumers about the swine industry and share the story of the joy of caring for livestock. 

“When one sees a show pig at a typical county fair, it could be easy to assume that is what the typical pig looks like today,” Van Deest says. “When we donate market pigs to the Watonwan County Fair, we hope that we are spreading awareness and allowing consumers to understand the difference between a show pig and a typical commercial pig. Additionally, we hope that consumers will feel more engaged and interested in understanding modern pig farming. In this way, it helps us share our story and spread awareness.”

The more youth who can get involved in swine projects, the more people who can become trained advocates for animal agriculture.
 
“I wish all pork producers would look into youth programs in their area. The more we can get our youth involved in these different projects that teach them so much about our industry, the better. Even if some of the kids never work in the pork industry, it’s so important for consumers to know where their food comes from and how it is raised,” Wolle says.

For Van Deest, the returns are high for the pork producer, too. “It is extremely rewarding to hear how much the fair, as well as the community, appreciates the support and new experiences for the kids,” Van Deest says. 

Being able to serve the community is a priority for Wakefield Pork, explains Emily Erickson, Wakefield Pork’s head of human resources. 

“Our employees and contract growers put in countless hours to care for our animals,” Erickson says. “It’s very important that we can pour back into them and into our communities.” 

Wakefield Pork hopes by participating in the Adopt-A-Pig program, fairgoers aka consumers will feel more engaged and interested in understanding modern pig farming. Photo by Wakefield Pork.

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