In a world where more and more young people are glued to electronic devices and missing out on community, FFA offers connection, hands-on learning and adult mentors to invest in their lives.
What would it look like for suicide to be a topic we don’t avert our eyes to? I think it starts with understanding and a willingness to break the stigma.
I’ve been keeping a secret. I was offered an exclusive interview with the pork industry's new celebrity mythbuster. No name. No details. My response? An enthusiastic “yes.” Here's what I learned.
How do we grow pork consumption? Mohan Sawhney, a professor at Northwestern University, shares a lesson he learned from Facebook and Google: Build a toothbrush.
A virtual FFA community can only fill the gap so far. I am grateful FFA has found solutions during the pandemic, but I believe the things FFA members have missed drive home the reasons why FFA is so important today.
If you are feeling a little upside-down now, just remember you aren’t alone. We are living in strange and hard times. I think that’s why we need to look for and tell more of the good stories. Here's a few.
I guess you could say I’ve picked up my share of rocks this year, says Farm Journal's PORK editor Jennifer Shike. Find out how Dr. Athena Diesch-Chham’s rock theory hit the nail on the head for her in 2020.
As I watched my daughter arrange and rearrange her misshapen pumpkins on our porch, I couldn’t help but smile. In her eyes they were all absolutely perfect. She didn’t see the blemishes and imperfections.
We can’t just go forward doing things the way we’ve always done them because that’s the way we’ve always done them. Three different voices weigh in on what's ahead from this point on.
When Steve Rommereim called me up out of the blue, I remember exactly where I was standing in my house when he told me a story of generosity that doesn’t happen very often.
“Today’s the day,” he said as I picked up the phone. I could tell by the sound of his voice what he was referring to. The day all show moms dread...time to ship some of the barrows to market.
I spend a lot of time writing about pork, and I’ve witnessed some amazing chefs in action. But no matter how hard I try, I am missing one of the most important characteristics of being great at the grill.
A million thoughts raced through my mind. Are we putting our kids in danger? Is this the right decision? What will everyone think? I’ve never had those thoughts as we headed to a show before. But 2020 is different.
Birthdays without your friends are like chips without salsa. It’s ok, but it’s far less rewarding to eat chips alone. I’ve been reminded of how friendships, like salsa, make life’s moments worth celebrating.
Farmers are wired to step up, especially in times of crisis. It’s no wonder that in caring for their communities, their families, animals and their land, that farmers can neglect themselves a little in the process.
From consumer messaging around health, sustainability and nutrition to FAD preparedness, I couldn’t help but admire the thought leaders forging new pathways during the National Pork Industry Forum and AASV meeting.
If you don’t spend time around kids in the pork industry, you need to start. Check out this first in a series of videos of their stories and hear the enthusiasm in their words and their voices for yourself.
Do you think the U.S. swine herd will get African swine fever? I watched her face as she worked to pull together everything she could to come up with the right answer. That’s a tough question for a 13-year-old.
The 60 Minutes report on antibiotic use in pig farms was full of inaccuracies, driven by emotion, motivated by an underlying agenda and interestingly timed with Impossible Foods’ announcement.
Everyone’s talking about LiLou, the airport therapy pig. But with all of the foreign animal disease pressure throughout the world right now, should we be using pigs as airport therapy animals?
For some of us, 2019 can’t end fast enough. We’re ready for the new hope and promise of 2020. But before we get there, are you buried in to-do lists like me?
It's National Stress Awareness Day and a friend posted a good reminder that identifying stress is an important first step. But then, we have to take a step forward to deal with that stress. Action is key.
Nobody sets out in life wanting to be a survivor. We may be drawn to survivor stories, but we certainly don’t want to go through the heartache required to be one.
It’s hard to believe a year has passed since African swine fever (ASF) struck the world’s largest pig herd. Editor Jennifer Shike reflects on a year the pork industry won't forget.
As the food conversation evolves, it’s critical that the pork industry finds innovative ways to share its message. Developing relationships is an important part, says editor Jennifer Shike.
The speed fake meat products capture market share from the real stuff is dependent on money from investors. So what advice does an investment pro offer?
I love the 4th of July because it’s an annual reminder of the sacrifices made by the founding fathers – and all past and current service men and women – that we may live free, eat bacon, and sue our neighbors.
Farm Journal's PORK Editor Jennifer Shike says we need to take advantage of opportunities to educate and expose young people to the most noble and rewarding industry around.
As domestic meat prices climb and the U.S. exports more pork to protein-hungry countries, could the alternative protein industry gain ground in a world with a growing appetite for all things protein?
As domestic meat prices climb and the U.S. exports more pork to protein-hungry countries, could the alternative protein industry gain ground in a world with a growing appetite for all things protein?
There’s no question that the pork industry will miss one of its most beloved and highly anticipated events of the year. Greater Des Moines will miss it, too.
Spring offers its share of challenges, especially for farmers. Between muddy fields, cloudy days, delayed planting, disease breaks and manure pits that need pumped, the stress adds up fast.
