Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell was joined by members of the Kentucky Pork Producers Association (KPPA) as he declared October as Pork Month in Kentucky. Pictured are from left, KPPA Executive Director Niki Ellis, Commissioner Shell, KPPA Director of Program Management Emma Hope, and KPPA Director of Farm Level Success Kylie Bush.
Kentucky agriculture celebrates Pork Month in October
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 22, 2026) – Pork producers and pork industry representatives joined Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell Thursday as he proclaimed October as Pork Month in Kentucky.
“Kentucky’s pork producers help feed our country and strengthen our agricultural economy,” Commissioner Shell said. "These farm families work hard to raise high-quality pork. This October and all year long, I’m proud to stand behind them.”
In addition to your dinner table, you can find Kentucky pork products at Cracker Barrel Restaurants, FiveStar gas stations, and all the Dairy Queen restaurants in Kentucky and the surrounding region. With more than 860,000 swine produced annually in Kentucky, pork is an important product for the state’s agriculture community.
The conscious choice businesses, such as FiveStar, Dairy Queen and Cracker Barrel, make when they opt for Kentucky-grown pork benefits Kentucky farmers and the state. Kentucky pork sales make up 2.3 percent of total cash receipts for Kentucky agriculture. The sale of market hogs and pigs brought Kentucky farmers $187.11 million in 2025.
Pork is an important product to the national diet with the average American consuming more than 50 pounds of pork per year. Packed with important nutrients and minerals, pork provides protein, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.
Although the size and structure of the Kentucky pork industry has changed over time, increased levels of production have supported jobs and generated earnings in the state economy. The gross cash receipts from hog markets in 2025 represent only a portion of the total economic activity of the industry. Overall, an estimated $459 million of personal income and $646 million of gross national product are supported by the Kentucky pork industry based.
“Pork Month is an opportunity to recognize the hardworking producers who are the backbone of Kentucky’s pork industry,” said Eric Heard, Kentucky Pork Producers Association president. “Year-round, our producers are committed to animal care, responsible farming practices, and providing a safe, nutritious protein for families. I’m proud of the dedication and values that define our industry, and grateful for the producers who continue to strengthen Kentucky agriculture and the communities we call home.”
With more than 1,800 swine operations across the Commonwealth, Kentucky ranks in the top 20 states in the nation for total swine production. Though they can be found throughout the state, most of Kentucky’s hogs are raised in western Kentucky, near production of their primary food source of corn and soybeans.
At the beginning of 2026, Kentucky had approximately 470,000 total head of market hogs on feed, representing only a portion of the more than 860,000 hogs and pigs Kentucky farmers sold at market last year.