Disclosure: I partnered with the National Pork Board for this trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and to share this information with you. All opinions are my own.
I’m on a mission to visit all 50 states before I turn 50. As a travel-friendly blogger, I recently had the chance to check South Dakota off my list with a trip to Sioux Falls. I visited as a guest of the National Pork Board and toured two pig farms while learning more about modern pork production.
From the moment I arrived, the friendliness of Sioux Falls stood out. The warm welcome from locals set a positive tone for the whole visit. Pleasant weather helped, but the charm of the city—especially its inviting waterfront—made a strong impression as we walked from the hotel to the Stockyards Ag Experience the first evening.
Plan to stop by the Stockyards Ag Experience when you’re in Sioux Falls. The museum offers interactive exhibits and informative displays that explain farm life and food production to visitors of all ages. You can learn the history of the Sioux Falls Stockyards, which operated from 1917 to 2009, and explore the Farm to Table exhibit that highlights how agricultural products move from pasture to plate while honoring farm families.
The hands-on exhibits are ideal for families. I kept thinking how much my boys would have enjoyed exploring the building and grounds, which capture an important slice of Midwest agricultural history.
I’m a big pork fan—my blog includes recipes such as Easy Garlic Ginger Glazed Sticky Pork, Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork, and Low Carb Bacon Bun Swiss Burgers—so the main purpose of this trip was especially appealing: meet pork farmers and see modern pig production firsthand. I had toured a pig farm about six years earlier, so I was curious to see what had changed.
The advancements were striking. While I had been impressed in 2009, the Pipestone Systems barns we visited showed a leap in technology and care. These facilities combine advanced environmental controls, precise nutrition, and integrated veterinary oversight to support healthy livestock. The commitment from multi-generational farm families to raise animals responsibly and ethically was evident throughout the tours.
Careful thought goes into every aspect of pig management: climate control to maintain comfortable living conditions, nutrition programs designed by specialists to meet animals’ needs, and on-site veterinary care. One detail that stood out: each pig is tracked from birth through processing, which supports traceability and animal health monitoring.
Many farm families told us their mission is to feed people while minimizing environmental impact. Generations of farmers continually refine practices to improve efficiency and sustainability. At the Overskei farm we learned how temperature, humidity, and a carefully balanced feed program help pigs convert feed to weight efficiently while experiencing less stress. Nutritionists and farm teams work together to formulate diets that support animal health and growth.
During conversations about product labeling, I learned an important fact: labels claiming “hormone free” can be misleading because added hormones are not allowed in pork production in the United States. All pork sold at market is required by law to be free of added hormones, and farmers have been trying to educate consumers about that for years.
On a lighter note, I never expected to say this, but I helped deliver a piglet. I had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to act as a pig midwife—what a memorable experience. Those tiny piglets are absolutely adorable.
If you visit Sioux Falls, I highly recommend it. The city is welcoming, the waterfront is beautiful, and the Stockyards Ag Experience is a meaningful and informative stop—where you may even witness a piglet being born.
If you have questions about pork or pig farming practices, consider visiting pork.org or the Pipestone System website for more information.
For more farm and travel stories from Foodie with Family, check out posts like One Day Dairy Farm Tour, Stokoe Farms Tour, The Many Uses of Corn, What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise Vacation, and several of my favorite recipes and travel experiences.