Monday, September 12, 2011

Meet Chris York – Mom, Businesswoman, Pork Farmer




Each night, Chris York does everything she can to get her two kids, ages 6 and 10 ready for the morning.  She lays out their clothes, and then plans the next day’s schedule to ensure the family is ready for the morning rush.  Once she puts both kids to bed, she follows the same routine for herself, going through preparations for her 5 am alarm.

The scene isn’t unusual for busy moms who juggle the responsibilities of home and work life, but unlike other moms Chris spends her morning in a unique setting:  a hog farm that she runs with her husband Mark.  Chris is the manager of her family’s 12,000 wean to finish pork farm in Wabash County, IN.

Growing up, Chris had a much different path in mind, obtaining a business degree from Central Michigan University.  Then she met Mark, and when they married and built their first hog barn together, she quit her nine-hour-a-day bank job and jumped into the business.  She spent extra hours in the barns simply learning how to read the animals to determine their needs.  Once the couple had their first child, Chris dedicated time to running the farm and raising children.

At the end of the day, after Chris puts her kids to bed, her work doesn’t stop.  Many days, particularly if there are young pigs on the farm, she ventures back to the barn to check on the herd. She makes sure the pigs are fed, watered, sheltered and comfortable. As a woman in a job dominated by men, her nurturing instinct ads a unique dimension to the business. 

The schedule is hectic, but the job is meaningful – Chris knows that she is helping to feed millions both here in Indiana and around the world.

Indiana Pork would like to giveaway a $100 grocery gift card in honor of Chris York to one of you!

Please see the widget below to enter!



12 comments:

Nathan Miller said...

Hands down, the best, leanest, and most fall apart cut of the pork! The center cut tenderloin!

Nathan Miller

Kathy said...

Loved reading this! Good job! It is hard to choose a favorite cut of Pork... We love Pork Chops and Bacon and Garden Tomato Sandwiches in the summer are WONDERFUL! But I would have to say our favorite is our Christmas Spiral cut Ham! In fact last night I dreamt about making it already!

crystal.cattle said...

There are so many outstanding farm families out there. I am proud to be in this industry, and can't wait to raise my own family on a farm.
www.crystalcattle.com

Anonymous said...

We love to grill pork chops wrapped in bacon. So good with fresh green beans too.

Anonymous said...

I love pork sausage... not too sure what part that comes from... but dang is it good!


Matthew B

mignusb @ hot mail. com

Jill Z said...

There are so many parts of pork that I like/love. I think my favorite is link sausage...no maybe bacon....no maybe pork chops...no maybe ribs....no maybe....see it is too hard to pick a favorite..

KarKar said...

You have a very demanding job! I'm sure it is very rewarding also.

Denise said...

We love pork sausage and loin chops!

stonemedic76@hotmail.com

David Arnold said...

LOVE italian pork sausage, especially for breakfast with eggs, pancakes, and coffee...hungry yet?! =)

Jaime Deen said...

I don't think there is a cut of pork we don't like, but bacon is my favorite! Loved the article!

Unknown said...

We love pork sausage...nothing better in the morning! I also use ground pork in my meatloaf...yummy!

Anonymous said...

Love using hog lard for homemade pie crusts!!! Best wishes for a bright farming future! !
Kathy Flook