Ohio pork producer Duane Stateler joins The PORK Podcast and host Jennifer Shike to share the story behind his busy calendar and impressive resume — the story of an unassuming multi-generational Ohio farmer who has fought everything from bad markets to animal rights activists, and even cancer, to make him what he is today... stronger and more determined to succeed.
Stateler was born into the swine industry and grew up helping his dad on the farm. He took a job off the farm for a few years per his dad’s instruction, but came back to the farm with his family where he planned to spend his life raising pigs and crops.
But life took a turn when Stateler was 28 years old and doctors discovered cancer. The day the doctors discovered the tumor was the same day a neighbor’s 750-sow unit went up for sale that he wanted to buy.
As much as he loved raising pigs, he knew his future was unknown so he didn’t bid.
"It was God's way of telling me that now is not the time to go buy that unit. So we didn't," Stateler says. "It ended up selling for about 22 or 23 cents on the dollar. God had other plans for me."
He slowly phased out of raising pigs and sold his modular barns in 1986 and concentrated on grain farming and doing electrical work in his community.
About 20 years later, his son Anthony asked if he could come back to the farm. Stateler knew that diversification would be needed to bring in the next generation.
“I never dreamed I would see that day when we would have pigs again,” Stateler says. “I'll never forget when we got that first semi load of pigs in the barn. Anthony had his first child who was about 9 months old, and she was just walking with a little bit of steadiness if someone held her hand. His wife Andrea got her out there in the pen with those weaned pigs and that's a moment I will never forget.”
The 2000s were an interesting period in Ohio pork history, Stateler recalls. Animal rights activists were putting a lot of pressure on pork producers and he knew that he would have to speak out and use his voice to tell the story of modern pig farming if he wanted there to be an opportunity for his grandchildren someday.
He got involved in the Ohio Pork Council and they began hosting many tours of the farm to show people the realities of pork production.
Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), says Stateler did such a great job demonstrating modern farming practices to influencers that a few tours a year turned into a few tours a week and sometimes a few tours a day,
“Ultimately, Duane’s efforts helped to change the narrative with community groups about livestock agriculture,” Humphreys says.
But Stateler says he didn’t do anything special.
“I thought it was important to show people that don't know what we do on a modern pig farm what we do. You have to open up to share that,” Stateler says. “There wasn't anything we do that we were afraid to share.”
He also shares how he became involved in NPPC because of his experiences with Ohio Pork Council. In 2025, he will take on the role of NPPC president where his opportunity to share his experiences and advocate for the pork industry will continue to grow.
Tune into this packed episode to hear how a second health scare in 2016 eventually led Stateler to embrace a protein-based diet, specifically eating more bacon, which made a positive difference in his health.
Rob Brenneman, an Iowa pig farmer, fellow NPPC board member and close friend, was on a similar health journey and inspired Stateler to eat more bacon.
“I have a lot of appreciation and respect for what Duane has been through," Brenneman says.