Curtis Sisters: 4-Hers Pledge Pig Projects To Larger Service
By: Emma Alexander -
Greenley and Anniston Curtis are partners of Missouri Farmers Care’s (MFC) Hogs for Hunger (H4H) initiative. They have pledged pork from their 2025 show pigs to help hungry neighbors in need. These 4-Hers from #Agri-Ready Designated Audrain County have set an example of how to learn and serve with purpose.
What Is Hogs for Hunger?
“The meat goes to people who don’t have enough food,” says Anniston (9).
“People need meat. Meat makes us healthy,” Greenley (11) adds.
The Curtis Family was inspired by an early donor to H4H, Aly Francis, who purchased piglets from Curtis Show Pigs.
The Curtis sisters have pledged four pigs to H4H this year. This will be Greenley’s third year to donate.
Pork With a Purpose
“Our pigs mean a lot to us and make a big impact on my kids. We want our pigs to make a big difference for others. It is easy to donate a box of macaroni and cheese. But food insecure families need high-quality, nutritious protein, too,” shares Emily, Anniston and Greenley’s mom. “A H4H donation is more than just writing a check. It makes you feel good knowing you did something that matters.”
Working With Purpose
Anniston and her pigs walk laps and pretend to be in the show ring every day. Meanwhile, Greenley focuses on conditioning and tanning her pigs.
“If show pigs have ‘up ears’, they can see where they are going better,” Greenley recommends.
“It is important to feed them right so they look good,” Anniston shares. “But my favorite thing to do is give my pigs marshmallows,” she grins.
More Than Just Showing Pigs
Anniston and Greenley are members of Missouri's Youth Show Pig Circuit (MYSPC). Large shows provide varied contests for youth to learn and grow creatively. In 2024, Anniston and friends won a National Costume Contest as the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. “The other things we do while we show pigs make it even more fun,” Greenley shares.
More about the Curtis Girls:
4-H Club: F&L Hustlers.
Years in 4-H: Anniston-1. Greenley-4.
Favorite 4-H Projects: Swine, sewing.
They love: camping, floating, and playing ball.
Anniston: entering 4th grade.
Greenley: entering 6th grade.
The History of Curtis Show Pigs
Michael Curtis, Anniston and Greenley’s dad, started Curtis Show Pigs with his own 4-H and FFA projects. “A community member trusted Michael as a youth which taught him confidence,” Emily shares. “That hits home for me now when I see adults pour into the experiences of my kids.” Anniston and Greenley contribute to the business as official piglet tamers. “We get a lot of compliments about how easy our piglets are to handle thanks to the girls,” Emily says.
Beyond Generosity
“Hogs for Hunger is more than a thoughtful way to wrap up a show pig project. It’s also a practical solution,” Emily continues. “The show pig community has more pork than we need. Sharing it through H4H is an easy way for us to make a big impact.”
Following the Missouri State Fair, Emily works to scrub the scent of swine out of the Curtis girls’ shoes before they return to classes in Centralia. They will wear their summer show pig shirts and tell stories from beyond the show ring about how their pigs had a larger purpose. Members of Missouri’s Agriculture Community.
Hogs for Hunger is a special initiative of MFC’s Drive to Feed Kids. One pig can change lives by feeding 525 Missourians in need. Hogs can be donated locally or at the Missouri State Fair. State fair processing will be following the open barrow show. Pigs must be committed by August 1. Exhibitors will receive a stipend of $200 and processing costs are provided by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation and Drive to Feed Kids partners. Learn more at www.mofarmerscare.com/hogs-for-hunger/
Emily is a volunteer for the No Limits Pig Show and the Audrain County Extension Council. The Curtis family are members of Missouri Pork and Missouri 4-H, both partners of Missouri Farmers Care.
What is the No Limits Pig Show? An opportunity that provides youth with cognitive and/or physical challenges the opportunity to enter the show ring at the Missouri State Fair.
