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Hogtoberfest to Celebrate Pork, Farmers and 30 Years of the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services will host Hogtoberfest, a family-friendly fall festival, on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market.

Hogtoberfest celebrates both N.C. Pork Month and the 30th anniversary of the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market. The event will recognize the cultural and economic impact of pork on North Carolina while honoring three decades of farmers and producers who have helped make the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market a trusted place for consumers to find local products.  

The event will feature live music, food trucks, local breweries and wineries, Got to Be NC vendors and educational activities for all ages. A full list of vendors and activities can be found on the market’s Facebook page.

Source : ncagr.gov

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CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

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CEOs of the Industry, Jim sits down with John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems, one of the most quietly impressive 26,000-sow operations in the U.S. John shares how he grew from operator to partner, how Pike built a people-first culture with long-tenured managers, and why they’re committed to weaning bigger, stronger pigs at 25+ days.

John breaks down how Pike stays efficient in a tough economic environment, the power of their shareholder-owned farm model, and how their work with PIC and a 240-head boar facility drives genetics and health outcomes. He also opens up about the innovations Pike adopts — and how they decide what’s truly valuable versus industry hype.

From Prop 12 and labor challenges to trade, consumer expectations, and sustainability, John chooses a hot-button issue and shares how Pike is preparing for the future. The episode closes with a rapid-fire “Fast Five” — mindset, leadership, daily habits, and three words that define Pike Pig Systems in 2025.

If you want a look inside a people-driven, purpose-driven, quietly elite pork system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.