Cul2vate Celebrates National Pork Month!
Did you know October is National Pork Month? Originally, October was chosen because it marked the time when hogs were taken to market. Today, we celebrate it by honoring the dedication of pork producers and sharing locally raised pork with our neighbors who face food insecurity.
It takes a village to donate pork. Through the coordinated efforts of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Farm Bureau, FAACT, and the Tennessee Pork Producers Association, Tosh Farms donated an incredible 2,000 pounds of pork to Cul2vate! Our team helped process and distribute this donation to our partner organizations across Middle Tennessee, ensuring that the gift made its way onto the plates of those who need it most
Our partners: We Feed the People, Eastgate Food Pantry, Restoration Pointe, Luke 14:12, Narrow Gate, The Bridge Ministry, Hope Center, Wellspring Church, Native Song Catering, Green Farms, Burnt Offerings, and The Nashville Food Project received pork chops, ham steaks, bacon, and more. Together, these ministries transformed the pork into 1,667 delicious and nourishing meals for families in need!
We also had the joy of sharing 300 pounds of pork raised by Wilson County State Fair hog champions Seth Troglin and Bailey Ball, with We Feed the People and Native Song Catering. Seth and Bailey have been raising and showing hogs for years, and it’s inspiring to see their hard work come full circle — from raising livestock to feeding families in their own community.
Speaking of hogs, our Volunteer Coordinator, Bev, and Farm Store Manager, Jessica, represented Cul2vate at the Franklin Rotary Club’s Hog Ball, a “party with a purpose” benefiting local nonprofits. This year’s theme, “Hogtied in 2025,” was a fun evening of community and generosity — and Cul2vate went home with $1,000 to further our mission of growing food and growing people.
We were also honored to join the Tennessee Pork Producers for a tour of the State Capitol, where we met UT President Randy Boyd, TN Pork Producers President James Mathis, TN Department of Agriculture’s Matt Wade, TN State Fair Officer Lyndon LaFevers, and our outstanding hog champions Seth, Bailey, and Jacie Phillips. It was an encouraging day of conversation about the importance of pork — and protein — as part of a healthy, nourishing diet for the communities we serve.
We’re incredibly grateful for every partner, donor, and producer who helps make moments like this possible. Together, we’re ensuring that families across Tennessee receive wholesome, nutritious food — one meal, one farm, and one act of kindness at a time.