Washington County joins growing list of ‘Bacon Buddy’ programs

WASHINGTON — For the first time last summer, Washington was one of 28 county fairs hold a “Bacon Buddies” swine show on its grounds, in which people with disabilities led swine through a show ring much like they would in any of the week’s numerous livestock exhibitions, with the help of volunteer 4-H’ers and FFA members.

The program started in 2019 as a State Fair-exclusive collaboration between Special Olympics Iowa and the Iowa Pork Producers Association, but has expanded in recent years as the latter group pushed for similar events at local fairs.

In its bimonthly March magazine, IPPA announced $500 worth of funding for any groups looking to host a Bacon Buddies event of their own, along with checklists to guide planners.

“What happens in the show ring isn’t the main event,” IPPA President Trish Cook said at the time. “Rather, it’s the connections, friendships and memories built as participants prepare for the show. Those of us in the pork industry know that when you work pigs together, you develop relationships. Our effort here is to honor our We Care principles of caring for people and for our communities.”

Washington County native Ellie Anderson helped with the state fair’s event in 2021, where she told family members she wished her hometown could offer something similar.

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IPPA’s announcement in March granted that wish. Anderson, now an Animal Science major at Iowa State, promptly signed up as the lead volunteer and head organizer ahead of Washington’s 2023 fair.

She said she hoped to share her experiences as an exhibitor with people who might not otherwise have them.

“Being a part of 4-H, being a part of FFA, is probably one of the most important things that I have done in my life,” she said. “I wanted to advocate that and push that out to other people. Also it’s so amazing to be able to teach these kids, that may never be able to get to do this, what it’s really about.”

Anderson added that she hoped to put a positive spotlight on the pork industry, which she said was unfairly criticized and often misunderstood.

“I love advocating for the pork industry, and I think it’s so important,” she said. “There are just so many misconceptions … it really is something that does get me upset, because I wish more people could walk into a pig barn and see how crazy these animals are actually treated. I mean, these things are like our kids.”

Participants, for their part, were thrilled at the opportunity.

Ron Canny, now 32 years old, had never participated in 4-H, but has always had an interest in farm animals, and plans to raise them himself someday. He said he was pleased to find that showing swine came naturally.

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“I really want to get more into it, I’d love to, especially for people with disabilities,” he said. “I loved the experience.”

Riley Kasper, who has autism and oppositional defiant disorder, was another Bacon Buddy at the 2023 Washington County Fair. He was a former showman himself, until the activity became too expensive around seventh grade, although he’d never showed hogs before this year’s fair.

Now 19, he said he was delighted to get back in the ring, adding that it felt exactly like he remembered.

“When I got there, I knew everyone that was watching, that had watched me before,” he said. “So I was comfortable … I learned how to show them, and it was easy.”

As for the program’s future, Anderson said she hoped to keep it running at future county fairs. She said that seemed likely given the volunteers, sponsors and spectators who came out of the woodwork for the show.

“We had an amazing turnout on it, and there were so many people that were for it and wanted it and advocated for it,” she said. “I hope to keep it around. I think it’s an amazing event to add to our busy, crazy county fair schedule.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com