The National Pork Board announced today that Brad Greenway, a pig farmer from Mitchell, South Dakota, is the recipient of its 2016 America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM Award by achieving the highest score from a third-party judging panel and online voting. The award recognizes a pig farmer who excels at raising pigs using the We CareSM ethical principles and who connects with today’s consumers about how pork is produced.
“We are pleased to have Brad represent America’s pig farmers. He embodies the very best in pig farming,” said Jan Archer, National Pork Board president and a pig farmer from Goldsboro, North Carolina. “It’s important that we share with today’s consumers how we raise their food in an ethical and transparent way. Brad’s interest in sharing his farm’s story – and putting a face on today’s pig farming – will help us reach this goal.”
“We had 2 finalists from South Dakota; Brad Greenway and Craig Andersen from Centerville, SD. Brad will represent us well and this just goes to show that these two represent the caliber of producers here in our state. Both are concerned about the environment, animal well-being, community involvement, the swine industry and agriculture as a whole,” said Glenn Muller, Executive Director of South Dakota Pork Producers Council.
Greenway has focused on doing what’s right for people, pigs and the planet on his family farm for the last 40 years. He and his wife, Peggy, own two wean-to-finish pig barns. They also raise beef cattle and grow corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa.
“I look forward to sharing my personal farm story with consumers to help them understand the care that goes into raising pigs today,” said Greenway. “I am proud of my industry and the hard work my fellow farmers put into producing safe, high-quality food, and in caring for animals and the environment every day.”
Greenway was named America’s Pig Farmer of the Year following a third-party audit of on-farm practices and conducting a series of written and oral interviews by subject-matter experts. He has achieved excellence in all aspects of pig farming, including animal care, environmental stewardship, employee work environment and outstanding community service.
The panel of expert judges met in early September with the four finalists. Members of the panel were Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane; Kari Underly, a third-generation butcher, author and principal of Range®, Inc., a meat marketing and education firm; Justin Ransom, senior director, supply chain management at McDonald’s USA; Jodi Sterle, an associate professor of animal science at Iowa State University; and Keith Schoettmer, the 2015 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year.
As a judging panel member, Ganzert said, “As an animal lover and the leader of the country’s first national humane organization, I am honored to be a judge for America’s Pig Farmer of the Year. American Humane celebrates all those, including our nation’s farmers, who care for animals and work hard to ensure they are treated humanely. Today, more than ever, it is important not only to point out where progress is needed, but to recognize when we get it right.”
