Jesse Heimer: Authentic Advocacy
By: Emma Alexander –
“So you’re really a pig farmer?” asks St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante. “I love bacon.”
“Yes, I am,” smiles Jesse Heimer, an avid lifetime Cardinals fan. The roar of the stadium faded, and time slowed down as the third-generation pork producer from #Agri-Ready Designated Marion County experienced a moment of authentic advocacy. Jesse stepped up to the plate this season to represent Missouri Pork and Missouri agriculture as a member of the 2025 Race to the Plate Farm Team, an advocacy partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals.
“As producers we get lost in the details of what we think effective advocacy is. The most important thing about advocacy is simple: putting a face on our industry so consumers can make the connection,” Jesse says.
The Farm Team Experience
“Being a member of the Farm Team was a tremendous opportunity. It was a chance to highlight a protein and product that I believe in,” Jesse shares. “We represented our farm. We represented ALL farmers in Missouri.”
“The day Fred Bird visited our farm was like a dream come true for me. I loved Fred Bird as a kid. Now I can say he stood next to me in my pig barn. It was great to have him do farm chores and interact with our kids.”
Advice to Fellow Advocates
Jesse believes that agriculture advocates should share one big goal.“Agriculture advocates that connect with consumers become the face of the products that they represent.” Jesse continues, “Advocates need to remember to be excited about agriculture. Be passionate about your farm, what you do and why you do it. We have to carry that passion with us when we meet consumers.”
The Show Pig Business
Jesse established Heimer Hampshires (HH) in 2006. He is hands-on in production, sales, and customer service alongside his farm team of eight full-time employees.
“I have always been passionate about production. I enjoy breeding, processing, and evaluating pigs. I have an unending hope to improve our product through genetic selection,” Jesse describes. Heimer Hampshires produces show pigs that meet the demands of highly competitive show rings across the U.S. The business sells breeding stock and semen as well.
Jesse’s passion for hog development is rooted in years spent improving his own 4-H and FFA project hogs, but his ultimate goal isn’t just better pigs. Jesse has a passion for youth development that took root during his experience as a Missouri FFA state officer in 1999-2000.
The #HHInfluence
“We’re really in the people business. We help kids and offer parents guidance for show pig projects. It’s really rewarding.” Jesse continues to share, “We have a chance to provide an experience that makes kids want to be a part of, not just the pork industry, but hopefully to seek a career in the agriculture industry. What we do with young people shapes the way they view agriculture. Even if they don’t choose an agriculture career, I believe their junior livestock experience will be profound enough that it will always shape the way they view food, how we raise and how we grow food. I hope they’ll always be an advocate for what we do in agriculture.”
A National Pork Leader
Jesse is building a bridge between the show pig industry and the commercial hog industry as a member of the National Pork Board.
“The two facets of our industry are very different but at the end of the day, all pigs become pork. I believe that a junior livestock project, regardless of the species, is the #1 gateway for a young person to pursue a career in agriculture,” Jesse says. “Through junior livestock experiences the entire pork industry can help to ensure a sustainable future for pork and cultivate the next generation of leaders and advocates.”
More About the Heimer Family
Jesse is a supporter of Palmyra FFA, Taylor 4-H Club, and the Marion County Junior Fair. His wife, Amy, works for DOT Foods. Their son, Max, is a sophomore and daughter, Harper, is in eighth grade. The kids are active in 4-H and FFA, showing pigs, and playing sports. The Heimer family was recently recognized in the Missouri State Fair Swine Barn for their years of service. Jesse serves on the board of the Missouri Pork Association, a partner of Missouri Farmers Care.
#Agri-Ready Designated Marion County.Agriculture, food, and forestry in Marion County contributes $144.4 million in total value-added products, supports over 2,100 jobs, and adds $110.5 million annually to household incomes according to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study. Hogs and pigs lead the county’s agricultural livestock sales according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture. What is the Farm Team?
The 2025 Race to the Plate Farm Team is an advocacy partnership between the St. Louis Cardinals and Missouri Farmers Care. The Farm Team educates baseball fans about agriculture through radio messaging, print advertisements, in-stadium videos, and social media content. Missouri Farmers Care’s Race to the Plate is brought to you by Missouri Beef Industry Council, Missouri Corn, Midwest Dairy, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Pork Association, and MFA, Inc.