Niman Ranch is turning $250,000 into developments in regenerative agriculture as it has awarded scholarships and grants to young farmers and future rural leaders across Des Moines, Iowa. The funding is in commemoration of the company’s 25th annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner, which was given out by its Next Generation Foundation.
“The event is about making connections in our network and helping create an understanding of the role each of us plays. It’s also about recognizing and celebrating the contributions of our farmers,” Niman Ranch General Manager Chris Oliviero said. “The way hogs are raised by independent Niman Ranch farmers is becoming a lost art, but we’re supporting future generations so that art continues.”
Niman Ranch’s Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner was first held in 1999 and brings together the brand’s farmers, customers, and partners to recognize and thank its network of independent family farmers. According to a release, this year’s celebration was held August 25–27, culminating in a dinner with over 600 guests, with each course featuring Niman Ranch pork.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of scholarships and grants to Niman Ranch farm families by the Next Generation Foundation. Grants awarded support funding investments on the farm for humane livestock production and regenerative agriculture practices.
Leading up to the dinner, there were tours of local Niman Ranch farms and a full day of educational workshops co-hosted by leading food systems nonprofit organization Food Tank. The education summit featured speakers from Natural Resources Defense Council, National Young Farmers Coalition, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Shake Shack, America’s Test Kitchen, Axios, Dine Diaspora, ButcherBox, ASPCA, and more.
To read more about this event and see the full list of grant and scholarship recipients, click here.
What will Niman Ranch invest in next? Stay tuned to Deli Market News to find out.
