DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Last weekend, Niman Ranch, the pioneering natural meat brand, honored its network of over 500 hog farmers and, through the company’s Next Generation Foundation, awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships and grants for young farmers and future rural leaders at the 26th Annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration. First held in 1999, the event brings together Niman Ranch farmers, customers and partners to recognize and thank the brand’s network of independent family farmers and their families.
At the 26th annual celebration held August 23-25, the Niman Ranch community toured farms and gathered at venues around Des Moines to network, learn and share ideas. The weekend culminated in the Saturday evening celebratory dinner for 600 guests prepared by renowned chefs from across the country. Each course on the menu featured Niman Ranch pork. This year’s chefs included Brian Fowler of BLACKBARN in New York City; Christy McKenzie of Pasture and Plenty in Madison, Wisc.; Niven Patel from FEAL Hospitality in Miami; Samantha Sanz of Post Hospitality in Phoenix and Andy Teixeira of Newport Vineyards in Newport, R.I.
The highlight of the evening was the distribution of over $250,000 in scholarships and grants to Niman Ranch farm families by the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation. The grant program funds investments on recipients’ farms for humane livestock production and regenerative agriculture practices, while the scholarships help students achieve their higher education goals. Other high points of the dinner included a keynote address by acclaimed animal welfare expert and autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin, as well as the presentation of several awards to Niman Ranch farmers recognizing their longevity with the program and their meat quality.
Leading up to the dinner were tours of local Niman Ranch farms on Friday and a full day of educational workshops on Saturday co-hosted by Food Tank, a leading food and agriculture non-profit organization. The education summit featured speakers from the CDC Foundation, Alice Waters Institute, USDA, ButcherBox, National Young Farmer’s Coalition, Harris Teeter and many more. Additional keynote remarks were shared by author and advisor Maisie Ganzler, architect and experience design expert Kevin Kelley and Ertharin Cousin of Food Systems for the Future.
Founding hog farmer Paul Willis said the event has taken on a life of its own since the original dinner 25 years ago, becoming a family reunion for the Niman Ranch community. Niman Ranch general manager Chris Oliviero said, “It’s gratifying to recognize the hard work of our farmers and to help their children and grandchildren continue their educations and become leaders in their communities through the scholarships and grants from the Next Generation Foundation. This event brings to life Niman Ranch’s unique values and community spirit.”
The Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation started in 2006 and over the years has distributed more than $1.7 million to support young farmers. The Foundation is made possible through generous donations from Niman Ranch’s community of customers, business partners and consumers—all who share a belief in Niman Ranch’s model of smaller scale, humane farming practices and supporting the next generation. Top donors in 2024 include ButcherBox, Marczyk Fine Foods, Harris Teeter, the Franklin P. & Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Baldor, Shake Shack, High West Distillery, Wasatch Meats and Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods.
Congratulations to the 2024 Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation Scholarship and Grant recipients:
Shane Becker, Bartelso, IL
Eric & Mikala Boor, Osceola, IA
Kacy Boyer, Weldon, IA
Rylee Bunderman, Alexandria, MN
Makinley Edwards, Fontanelle, IA
Gavin Engelbrecht, Alexandria, MN
Seth Engelbrecht, Alexandria, MN
Callie Ferneding, Carroll, IA
Alyssa Frederick, Falls City, NE
Kailyn Frederick, Falls City, NE
Ryan Goertzen-Regier, North Newton, KS
Julia Groenenboom, Rose Hill, IA
Andrew Haan, Rochester Hills, MI
Bryanna & Benjamin Harner, Columbus Junction, IA
Luke Hert, Sedan, KS
Lillian Howe, Thurman, IA
Maggie Hutton, Chestertown, MD
Ava Jovaag, Austin, MN
Kaitlin Kleiboeker, Stotts City, MO
Kasandra Knutson, Sioux Falls, SD
William Kroneman, Luzern, IA
Sadie Kuehn, Ankeny, IA
Michael Meyer, Waukon, IA
Abby Moen, Decorah, IA
Morgan Moen, Decorah, IA
John Moening, Dodge Center, MN
Cade Nolte, Wilton, IA
Mason Nolte, Wilton, IA
Brendan O’Brien, Ames, IA
Grant Oaks, Harris, MO
Annelise Obermark, Labadie, MO
Andrew Oberreuter, Danbury, IA
Noah Oberreuter, Danbury, IA
Courtney Rhoads, Tennessee, IL
Josie Riggs, Falls City, NE
Hayley Robb, Doniphan, NE
Margaret Roberts, Sidney, IA
Ryan Roberts, Sidney, IA
Sawyer Schmidt, Preston, IA
Enos L. Schwartz, Conneautville, PA
Molly Scott, Wellsville, MO
Anthony Sibbel, Carroll, IA
Ellie Sibbel, Carroll, IA
Savannah Smart, Caldwell, KS
Chevelle Spaulding, Whiting, IA
Bennet Talsma, Chandler, MN
Cambre Thrasher, Buffalo, MO
Macy Tiefenthaler, Breda, IA
Emmet Van Zante, Fremont, IA
Ephraim Van Zante, Fremont, IA
Morgan Wegs, Mt. Sterling, IL
Peyton Wegs, Mt. Sterling, IL
Jacy Wiese, Bennett, IA
Preston Wiese, Bennett, IA
Dalton Wright, New Market, IA
Jackson Wright, Coleman, SD
Jason Wright, New Market, IA
ABOUT NIMAN RANCH
Niman Ranch is a community of over 600 independent family farmers and ranchers who raise pork, beef and lamb traditionally, humanely and sustainably to deliver the Finest-Tasting Meat in the World®. Niman Ranch is the largest farmer and rancher network in North America to be Certified Humane®. The protein of choice for America’s most celebrated chefs, Niman Ranch is also the premier option for discerning home cooks looking for meats Raised with Care®, with no crates, antibiotics or added hormones—ever.
ABOUT THE NIMAN RANCH NEXT GENERATION FOUNDATION
The Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation awards scholarships and grants to the children and family members of Niman Ranch farmers and ranchers to support their college education, farm improvements and sustainable agriculture practices. The philanthropic arm of natural meat leader Niman Ranch, the Foundation aims to provide opportunities and lessen burdens for the next generation of sustainable and humane farmers and their communities.
