okPORK #GivesAHam

Oklahoma officials, pork producers and supporters participated in the third annual #GiveAHam challenge. Despite the curveballs 2020 threw at us, we remained resilient in showing our unwavering support for local communities across the state.

The final number of donated hams, HAMburger meat, and ground sausage was incredible! 27 generous pork supporters donated 257 hams, 45 pounds of hamburger meat and 5,000 pounds of ground sausage to local organizations and families in need this holiday season. 

okPORK board president Dottie King kicked off the 2020 challenge by challenging Gov. Kevin Stitt to #GiveAHam. He then challenged Sec. of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, who challenged Roy Lee Lindsey, and we were off to the races. 

Among those who participated in the 2020 #GiveAHam Challenge are: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, Ag Broadcaster Ron Hays, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, all members of the okPORK Board of Directors; Blue & Gold Sausage, former okPORK board president Cathy Vaughn, Mountain View Meat Company, Freedom Processing, Hemingway’s Social Club & Neighborhood Bar, Shattuck All-Stars cheer squad, four Oklahoma farmers and ranchers and two other Oklahomans who care. 

okPORK sends a heartfelt THANK YOU to the many generous participants in this year’s #GiveAHam Challenge.

This year, especially, you all demonstrated the Oklahoma Standard. Start thinking of who you want to donate your ham to for the 2021 challenge!

Governor Kevin Stitt and Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur #GiveAHam.

Governor Kevin Stitt and Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur #GiveAHam.

Participants from the okPORK #GiveAHam Challenge

Participants from the okPORK #GiveAHam Challenge

Blue & Gold Sausage and okPORK Donate to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

On Dec. 11, the Oklahoma Pork Council donated $10,000 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to support its Food for Kids Programs. This brings the total of okPORK donations since the partnership began to more than $162,000. This year, Brett Ramsey with Blue & Gold Sausage joined us and donated 5,000 pounds of sausage to the Regional Food Bank.

“We are happy to make the product donation to the Regional Food Bank,” said Brett Ramsey, owner of Blue & Gold Sausage. “It is something we do periodically as resources allow, and I think in this season in particular, it is really important for people to give. In these circumstances, we are happy to do so.”

okPORK and Generous Pork Fans Provide Cheer to Infants at OU Children’s Hospital

Two guiding principles for all Oklahoma pig farmers are providing nutritious food and giving back to our communities. Recently, those two activities converged, and the kids at OU Children’s Hospital received the benefit.

okPORK was asked to add to the festivities at Okie Tonk Café in Moore during the OU versus Texas football game. So, Events and Outreach Coordinator Lloyd Hawkins fired up the smoker and prepared smoked pork loin for sandwiches. Hawkins and okPORK staff handed out the pork sandwiches to hungry football fans for free and accepted donations which would go toward the OU Children’s Hospital Volunteers.

okPORK Provides Six Oklahoma Educators with Ag in the Classroom Grants

Each year, the Oklahoma Pork Council works with Oklahoma’s Ag in the Classroom program to provide teachers with grant money to purchase supplies needed to teach Ag in the Classroom curriculum. Teachers can request up to $500 for supplies. This fall, six teachers were the recipients of the Fall 2020 Ag in the Classroom grants provided by okPORK in the amount of $2,870.27.

The funds were used to purchase supplies such as recipe ingredients, craft items, gardening supplies and library books to help teach the Ag in the Classroom curriculum. With the help of these lessons, students will learn more about the diverse agriculture in Oklahoma and the importance of agriculture in our lives.

New Hire Joins the okPORK Team

Oklahoma Pork Council is excited to announce they have filled the communications specialist position with a team member who has remarkable abilities to contribute to the swine industry. Paige Endres was officially welcomed to the team at the end of October.

“We are excited to have Paige Endres join the okPORK team,” said Nikki Snider, director of marketing and communications. “Her excellent communication skills and desire to learn about Oklahoma’s pork industry will make her a valued member of our organization.”

A Fresh Feast from The Pig and The Vine

Pork and Cork has become a staple in okPORK’s yearly calendar. This year’s edition featured a young chef and one of the best, newest venues in OKC.

On October 1, 23-year-old Chef Ryan Hunt brought four amazing pork dishes to life. Forty guests arrived at Birra Birra, a modern Italian eatery that has grown in popularity since it opened. Ruffino wines were featured with each course.

Governor Stitt and Officials Visit Seaboard Foods Processing Facility

Earlier this month, Governor Stitt, Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, Commissioner of Health Col. Lance Frye, M.D., Senator Casey Murdock and Representative Kenton Patzkowsky traveled to Guymon, Oklahoma, for a tour of the Seaboard Foods processing facility.

“Any day we get some facetime with Oklahoma elected officials is a good day,” said Roy Lee Lindsey, okPORK executive director. “And we were excited to welcome Governor Kevin Stitt, members of his cabinet and other elected officials to the Seaboard Foods processing plant.”

Two New Faces Join The okPORK Board

okPORK is excited to introduce two new board members. They were elected to the board at the 61st annual Oklahoma Pork Congress on August 7. The new board members are happy for the opportunity to serve others who are involved in the pork industry.

Sheila Kelso works as a financial analyst in the hog production division of Smithfield Foods. She spent 10 years of her 17-year career in the swine industry, working on sow farms in different management roles.