The Bacon Buddies swine show came back for its third year at the Iowa State Fair, and this year?s show was another huge success. For Bacon Buddies, FFA and 4-H exhibitors volunteer to be mentors for disabled individuals, or Buddies, and share their show ring experiences. The show is a partnership between the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Iowa Special Olympics, but it was all started by one FFA exhibitor. Kylee Brown of Earlham, Iowa, made a visit to the Wisconsin State Fair a few years ago to check out a similar show, and just one year later, the show made its debut at the Iowa State Fair. Brown said she knew as soon as she saw the show that she wanted to bring something like that back to our state fair.
In Iowa, we grow plenty of crops and livestock, but Bacon Buddies proves that Iowa?s best product is the kids. IPPA President Kevin Rasmussen said this show closely aligns with their ?We Care? principles.
Of course, the Iowa Special Olympics is the most important part of the show. Not only do the Buddies get to have a great time experiencing a pig show, but the Iowa Special Olympics also receives a charity donation, and this year that donation was around $1,200. Iowa Special Olympics CEO John Kliegl said that his son is also from Earlham FFA, so Brown knew who she had to talk to right away.
This year?s judges also had a personal connection to the show. Matt and Heidi Rohrig of Orient, Iowa, have a preschooler with Down syndrome, so this event is especially meaningful to them. Matt said this event isn?t just great for the Buddies- it?s an awesome learning experience for the mentors as well.
For more information on Bacon Buddies and how to get involved, visit https://www.iowapork.org/bacon-buddies/.
