The Pork Farmer's Problem

Overview

Minnesota and neighboring Iowa are among the largest pork-producing regions in the world, but farmers there are thinking the unthinkable: euthanizing healthy animals, because COVID-19 has shuttered the packing plants they were destined for. This report explores what happens when a food supply chain is disrupted. 

Videos

 Discussion Questions

1. What problems can you identify in this story? Are solutions
   presented?
2. In what way might this story be relevant in your community?
3. Who is impacted the most by food supply chain disruption? The producers or the consumers? Is it a shared burden?
4. Compare the model suggested by Farmer Sobocinski and the existing model that Patterson participates in. 

 Writing Prompt (250 Words)

In 2021, the USDA approved funding to help build more smaller meat processing plants. Do you think this will help protect the supply chain? Besides the increase in price mentioned by Patterson, can you think of any other challenges in reforming the system?