Like Father, Like Son

This week I was given the opportunity to advocate for the pig industry in a new way. I was asked to give a presentation to the Crown Point Rotary Club about Fair Oaks Farms and the Pig Adventure.

I felt a sense of maturity when I was asked to do this because I my father has given a lot of similar talks about pig farming to Rotarians back home in Ohio. In fact dad's passion for educating people about what we do is one reason I chose to study agriculture communication. My father has been a great role model for me as n advocate and has given me a lot of help in the area of public speaking about agriculture.

To me, it was a no brainer to go and speak to a group of local business folks about the exciting things going on at Fair Oaks Farms. So over the past week I put together a presentation discussing many things about the future of Fair Oaks Farms as well as the Pig Adventure. I felt that it was important to explain to people my concern for transparency in agriculture and the importance of agri-tourism as an excellent opportunity to have conversations about what modern day agriculture is.

So Wednesday I gave my presentation to about 40 Rotarians. They were very welcoming and open to listening to my presentation. The questions that followed the presentation were normal ones that I felt comfortable answering, most revolving around the pig industry and the future plans for Fair Oaks Farms.

All in all, it was a really rewarding and enjoyable time in which I felt myself starting to expand my confidence in public speaking about our industry. I know it wasn't much, and it surely wasn't a big crowd, but I really enjoyed it and was able to help provide information about our industry to more people who have a lot of influence in their community.

I decided to stay out in Indiana for the grand opening of the Pig Adventure on August 5, 2013. That will be the last day of my internship, and therefore the countdown is on! I can't wait to see what comes in the next week or so!

Adventurous Times

I often use the phrase "never a dull moment" when referring to my life back home both on the farm and while at school. That phrase has definitely transferred into my work life as well! Which is good, because it keeps me on my feet and excited about the next day.

Telling sponsors what the first hand experience has been like

This week at the Pig Adventure, we held an event for all the industry donors who have given financial support to help take the Pig Adventure from a dream to a reality. That event meant that people from all over the pig industry gathered in Fair Oaks, IN to hear get the official tour of the Pig Adventure.


Many people came to see specific things, but everyone was interested in hearing what we had learned about the perception of modern day pig farms from our regular visitors. I took great delight in being able to answer those questions, and used that time to tell people what I had noticed. My previous blog post eludes to many of the things I feel to be true about what I am seeing on a daily basis.

We are also finishing our second week of being open to public tours this week and I am proud to say that in the past ten day, more than 7,000 people have come through the doors of the Pig Adventure and seen first-hand what happens inside a modern day pig farm.

It has been great to see all of these pieces come together on the agri-tourism side of my adventure this summer. I am so happy to be a part of the many great things to be coming for the Fair Oaks family as well. I really can't wait to see what the next week will bring as there is always something exciting and interesting going on.