This October, during National Pork Month, we reflect on the history and current challenges in pork production and thank Minnesota's family farmers, and farm and meat industry workers. Enjoy a look through the years at the community of people involved by viewing highlights from our historical photo archives and photos from our many contributors.
"University of Minnesota Extension has been studying ways to improve pork production since our beginnings in 1909, along with faculty in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; the College of Veterinary Medicine; and with our partners at the Minnesota Pork Board and many other organizations," say Krishona Martinson, Extension livestock program leader.
A 2020 Extension study looking at 2019 data found that, with $2.7 billion in sales, pork farms generated an average of $1.5 million in economic activity each.
“One of the great things about Minnesota is that we have the ability to work with a variety of markets, and that means farming doesn’t need to follow one format for everyone,” says Dale Stevermer. “Minnesota pork producers run the whole gamut, from traditional outdoor to very modern systems, and consumers benefit from our diversity.” Stevermer is a past president of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association and a National Pork Board member. He owns Trail End Farm near Easton, Minn., with his wife, Lori, who is also a leader in the industry.
Please enjoy this collection of photos from our Extension archives, as well as those contributed by our staff, participants and partners.
(Click on the first image to advance through the photo gallery.)
