Celebrating the Other White Meat

We’re nearing the end of Pork Month, and I can’t think of a better reason than this to eat a pork chop or some bacon (as if I needed another reason!).

And while this is a perfect opportunity to travel to Balltown to Breitbach’s Country Dining to enjoy their breaded pork tenderloin that was recently named the best in Iowa by the Iowa Pork Producers Association; it’s also a great opportunity to think about how quality pork is raised today by Iowa’s farm families.

I grew up on a family farm, so I remember the daily chores and care my family took to produce pork for not only my family, but for the global food chain. We mostly raised hogs, my parents still do. So when I talk to farmers who raise pork, I assume it’s just like the farm I grew up on, because all pigs in Iowa are raised the same way, right? Wrong.

The more I travel, the more I learn that there is more than one way to raise quality pork. While some farmers like my dad choose to raise pigs inside, others, like Chad Ingels in Randalia and Keith Kroneman in Osage, raise their pigs differently. Both Chad and Keith have repurposed their facilities to raise their pigs for the Niman Ranch system, which calls for raising pigs outside or in pens deeply bedded with hay or other forages.

And while farmers in Iowa raise hogs differently, the focus of all of the pig farmers I meet is to produce the highest quality of pork as possible to meet consumer demands. You want leaner pork? No problem. Prefer pork with more flavor? We’ve got that, too. Choices abound for consumers today with discerning tastes and Iowa farmers provide those options.

This is a reason to celebrate Iowa’s pork producers not only in October, but every month—maybe even with a side of bacon.

To meet a few of Iowa’s pig farmers and register to win $5,000 in free groceries, visit www.farmersfeedus.org/ia.

Written by Bethany Pint
Bethany is an Ag Commodities Writer for Iowa Farm Bureau.

Farming and Family Ties

As I photographed the Iowa harvest this fall, it struck me how family remains a big part of Iowa agriculture. Some would have you believe that today’s agriculture is a corporate affair, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

It seems whenever I meet a farmer, it doesn’t take long before there’s a reference to a family member. It’s usually something like “Well, I farm with my dad and my two brothers.” Then the discussion usually leads to connections to grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and in-laws. For many farmers it would be difficult to make a go of it without the support of a family member.

Randy Dreher of Audubon, is thankful to his grandfather, who bequeathed him a about a 30-year-old combine, which runs great according to Randy, and some other equipment which for now allows him to invest in other areas of the business. Randy is also fortunate to share a harvest dinner break with his wife, Crystal, and two-year-old daughter, Katelyn.

Mark and Stacy Boender have five delightful children in their family. The Boender’s farm near Oskaloosa is not far from his dad’s place, Steve and Janet Boender, which is not far from his brother Mike’s place, which is not far from his brother Kurt’s place, which is not far from his brother Karl’s place, which is not far from his brother B.J.’s place. Mark joins his brothers as fourth generation farmers.

Steve Boender had most of the family together this week during harvest and hosted a Belgium TV crew doing a documentary in the Midwest. “We’ve never been filmed before in our lives,” said Steve, “and recently we’ve had a couple of film crews and foreign visitors stop by.”

Another family I met with strong working ties is the Jason and Amy Boyer family, owners of the Harvest Barn Marketplace east of Osceola. All three of the Boyer children are involved in the seasonal business.

Cousins Brian and Doug Sampson also work together farming near Roland. The two sort of watch each other’s back, giving them some free time to spend with their own families.

It’s been a difficult year for most Iowa farmers because of the drought. But the being together as a family at harvest helps to make it all worthwhile. Isn’t that what makes Iowa…Iowa?

Written by Gary Fandel
Gary is the photographer for Iowa Farm Bureau.