Oklahoma Pork members Cathy Vaughan, Joe Locke, Dottie King and Tom Layne spent Tuesday at the State Capitol educating legislators and the public about Oklahoma's swine industry during Oklahoma Agriculture Day.

Last week was one of Oklahoma Pork's favorite days each year: Oklahoma Agriculture Day at the State Capitol. Led by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF), Ag Day brings together hundreds of agricultural producers and advocates to showcase our state's diverse agricultural sector and educate policymakers during the legislative session.

Elevating the success of last year's build-your-own pork cups, this year the Oklahoma Pork Council hosted an Ag Day "Bacon Bar" charcuterie spread featuring Wright's bacon strips, candied bacon, chocolate-covered bacon, bacon jam, and a variety of other pork, cheese, fruits and sweets. In total, Oklahoma Pork's crowd-favorite booth distributed more than 200 pork-focused snacks to legislators, staff and guests.

Oklahoma Pork leaders Joe Locke of Seaboard Foods, Dottie King of Tyson's Pork Group, Tom Layne of The HANOR Company, and Cathy Vaughan of Smithfield Foods also distributed fun pork giveaways while they educated visitors about modern pig farming. Our pork producers at Ag Day also participated in meetings with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Dell Kerbs and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Chris Kidd.

To mark the occasion, the State House of Representatives and the State Senate both passed resolutions affirming agriculture as one of Oklahoma's leading industries. HR 1010 and SR 8 highlight agriculture's role in our state economy, way of life, and international exports. Oklahoma Pork appreciates both our Agriculture Committee chairmen who authored these resolutions and continually work with our pork policy team to support your freedom to operate.