October is National Pork Month (also referred to as Porktober) and as the top pork producing state in the country, we have a lot to celebrate! Porktober is a great time to recognize pork producers, the quality products they provide, and the role they play in sustaining thriving local economies and communities. Choose Iowa is proud to have nearly 100 family farms and small businesses raising and selling Iowa pork!
At East to West Farm in Columbus Junction, Elyssa and Dan McFarland take pride in offering their community high-quality, locally grown food! “Our heritage pork comes from a carefully selected blend of Berkshire and Duroc genetics — two breeds long known for exceptional eating quality,” they say. “Berkshire pork is celebrated for its exceptional marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor. Crossing it with Duroc adds depth, durability, and consistency, allowing us to raise pigs that deliver incredible eating quality while thriving in a natural farm environment.”
The McFarland’s have created a partnership with a local brewery to provide people with their delicious products and reduce waste. They partner with Contrary Brewing in Muscatine to feed spent grain from the brewery to their livestock and sell their pork and beef at the brewery during special pop-up market events.
H8R Acres owners Annie Palmer and Aaron Roth place emphasis on sustainable practices while striving to bring consumers one step closer to where their food is grown and raised. The small, outdoor hog operation in central Iowa primarily raises Berkshire pigs and produces pork for local customers. “For us, raising pigs is about more than the finished product.” Says Anni. “It’s about raising healthy animals, continually improving our management practices, and connecting consumers to where their food comes from. We are passionate about agriculture and providing high-quality products to our fellow Iowans.”
You can connect with East to West Farm, H8R Acres, and more Iowa pork producers or retailers through the Choose Iowa Find Local directory.
Looking for new ways to cook your local pork? Whether it be the perfect pork tenderloin or a holiday dish that is sure to please a crowd, the Iowa Pork Producers Association can help you find recipes to fit your needs.