From the show ring to those facing food insecurity, the two Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair grand champion hogs went to a special cause this year thanks to a coordinated effort between the Tennessee Pork Producers, Tosh Farms and Potts Meat.
“We really wanted to do something special as we recognize October as Pork Month,” said Phyllis Ferguson, Tennessee Pork Producers executive director. “We worked with Jimmy Tosh from Tosh Farms to purchase the winning hogs and Potts Meat in Wartrace who donated the processing, and then we were proud to donate the pork to Cul2vate to help feed people in need in the Nashville area.”
Started in 2016, Cul2vate is a nonprofit comprised of champions joining together to fight hunger. Their mission is two-fold – to grow food and people. The program grows food for those living in food deserts through a workforce development program that trains people for agriculture who are down on their luck. And between the two hogs, more than 300 pounds of pork was donated to the organization to be distributed to more than 100 families.
“It has been a blessing to be a part of this donation,” said Joey Lankford, Cul2vate executive director. “Seeing these young kids come out here and see the larger aspects of what farming can do for people and to see the impact of what 300 pounds of meat can do in our community, it’s a really beautiful thing.”
Bailey Ball, a sixth grader from Campbell County, exhibited the grand champion purebred market barrow. Only in her second year showing hogs, being named grand champion was a big surprise for her and her family.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the state fair hog show, and I was so surprised that I won,” said Bailey. “And then to be able to help people in need, it feels like we’re making the world a better place. I was just doing something for fun and then it had an impact I never would have believed.”
The other grand champion was Braxton Burr, an eighth grader from Overton County, who was proud to exhibit the grand champion crossbred barrow at the state fair.
“It meant a lot that we won and I’m really thankful that we did,” said Braxton. “It’s nice to be rewarded for hard work, but then it’s also really special that our win meant something for other people in this case, not just us.”
The effort wouldn’t have been possible without the monetary help from Tosh Farms and Potts Meat. Tosh Farms was proud to purchase the two grand champion hogs while Potts Meat donated the processing.
“Our goal is to give back to the community and it’s what we’re committed to,” said Jimmy Tosh, owner of Tosh Farms. “Cul2vate is a great organization, and we were really proud to be able to do this.”
Headquartered at Ellington Agricultural Center, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is heavily involved in Cul2vate and extremely supportive of the mission not only of the nonprofit, but also of this special project involving Tennessee agriculture industry partners and youth.
“In Tennessee, we have a great youth livestock program. And here, you have a champion hog donated as a finished product to Cul2vate and to people who are hungry and need it – how special is that,” said Dr. Charlie Hatcher, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture.
