Ryan Preister, Nebraska Pork Producers Association President
Ryan Preister is available from sunup to sundown.
And during those hours, Preister is surrounded by pork. As President of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, or NPPA, and a fourth-generation farmer who manages 30,000 hogs on nearly 1,800 acres of family land, the father of three boys makes time to educate and promote the power of pork to anyone who will listen.
A former University of Nebraska football player for two years and working for Landscapes Unlimited building golf courses for more than a decade, Preister found himself chucking his Christmas tree in the dumpster on a holiday morning 12 years ago in Lincoln and moving back home to Humphrey to help run the family farm. He and his wife, Megan, did not want to deprive their boys, Nathan, 13, Jacob, 11, and Dylan, 8, of the life experience of growing up on a farm.
Ryan Preister and family
“Plus, we need more ribs on the barbecue,” he said, referencing his work to promote the importance of “pork in our lives.”
Promoting pork involves educating consumers on its healthy nutritional aspects, ensuring hog farmers are up to speed on sustainable and ethical farming standards, and teaching youth where their food comes from. The NPPA also works with the University of Nebraska and other third-party entities to develop programs that help producers use improved methods to protect animal well-being, food safety and the environment.
“We’re a big network for all these farm families, and we’re here to support them. We help answer their questions, and make introductions connecting producers to vendors, suppliers and growers,” Preister said.
In addition to his work with the NPPA, Preister also has his own farm to run 365 days a year, no matter the weather.
“Pigs have to be fed every day,” he said. “I want my sons to be able to own this farm, market our products and continue to raise the pigs. They enjoy it. Yes, we have tough mornings sorting hogs and, yes, they still have chores to do on Sundays. I know that doesn’t resonate with a lot of youngsters, but so far, they really enjoy it. At the end of the day, it’s about rolling up the sleeves, loving what you do, getting in the trenches and getting it done.”
His dad, Dean, continues to work alongside him each day, and lives just down the drive from the renovated farmhouse where Preister and his family reside. His grandparents live in a home on the farm’s original acreage down the road. In addition to the pigs, Preister’s farm includes a row crop operation that raises corn and soybeans. His mom, Ann, cooks a hot meal every day for the workers and keeps everybody on the farm in line.
With October being Pork Month, Preister encourages consumers to take time to learn more about this nutritional, high-quality protein source.
“My advice is to go out of your way and talk to a farmer. Walk into a grocery store and talk to the butcher about the various cuts and how best to cook them. I guarantee you someone in that store identifies with raising the protein you eat,” he said. “Read up. There are all kinds of information available about the benefits of eating pork.”
For more information about pork, continue to explore .
