The Secret is Out
I’ve been keeping a secret.
I was recently offered an exclusive interview with the National Pork Board’s new celebrity mythbuster. All I knew was I would have 15 minutes to interview this celebrity. No name. No details. My response? An enthusiastic “yes” and maybe a bit of a happy dance in my quiet office.
Every day I get the opportunity to interview amazing people in the pork industry. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I truly love more – from incredible conversations with industry legends like Roy Poage to current thought leaders like Clint Schwab, who are both featured in the June issue of Farm Journal's PORK. But, I couldn’t deny this chance to step outside of my box was intriguing.
I couldn’t wait to find out who this celebrity would be. My mind wandered. I won’t lie that thoughts of Matthew McConaughey and Mike Rowe danced in my head.
But they don’t hold a candle to the new face of modern pig farming mythbusting. Not only is he a fellow graduate of Kansas State University, he also grew up raising and showing pigs. To say we were instant friends is no lie (according to me).
However, what stood out the most to me from our interview (which I’m proud to say went on for 28 minutes, but who’s counting?) was his sincere desire to bridge the gap between his rural roots and urban consumers.
With 98% of our population disconnected from the farm, it’s no wonder that it’s confusing to be a consumer these days. There are a lot of loud voices out there about how food should be raised, especially animals.
He discussed wanting to help consumers understand how you can love animals, and at the same time, recognize their very important role in feeding our world. It’s not a one or the other.
I think it’s easy to forget how it feels to be in the consumer’s shoes. Many of us have had the luxury of growing up in agriculture or coming into it at some point in our careers. It’s hard to explain, but we know what it means to care and respect for animals and their wellbeing, and at the same time recognize their end point and greater purpose on earth.
As this mythbuster said, “I’ve always loved pigs and how smart and wonderful they are. But it goes without saying, I’m a carnivore and I enjoy pork.”
Now do I have your curiosity piqued yet? Go check out the industry’s newest modern pig farming mythbuster here.
