Scott Hays has spent his life producing pork in #Agri-Ready Designated Marion County near Monroe City. He grew up on a diversified family farm working daily with his father, grandfather, uncles, and siblings. In a recent conversation with Scott, he fondly reminisced about spending most days working alongside his father managing the family’s hog production and facilities. “I wasn’t the oldest sibling, so I wasn’t assigned to tractor work for the row crops first. I always enjoyed being around the pigs with my dad. I thought there was more action handling the animals than there was doing the row crop work anyway,” Scott remembered.

Scott served in the United States military and experienced duty in Europe but was anxious to get back to Marion County. Scott said it was a blessing to have the opportunity to return to the family farm in 1989 and begin his career raising hogs as a partner with his father-in-law, Larry Abell. Later, he partnered with his father and uncles. “It was rewarding and fulfilling to partner with my dad in a hog operation. It was much like our old times together,” Scott shared. 

The Hays partners built ‘Two Mile Pork’, a farrow (birthing of piglets) to finish (market ready hogs) family pork operation. “My generation helped transform the hog industry we grew up with into the modern style operations we have today,” Scott said. “We have always known that if the pigs do well, we’ll do well. We brought hogs indoors. The knowledge of how and why our industry does what it does drives me to look for better ways to tell our farm story. We are blessed with the safest and most abundant food supply in history. Our ability to share that story with consumers will help us to be successful.” Two Mile Pork has now transitioned to the next generation. The family’s presence in the pork industry has changed to meet new goals.

The Hays family has a continuous history of promoting and advocating for pork, so Scott was encouraged from an early age to get involved. Scott was privileged to serve as the Chairman of the Missouri Pork Board in 2011-12. His growth through that position created an opportunity for him to engage as a member of the National Pork Producers Council. There is no doubt that Scott’s years of production and advocacy experience are why his council peers asked him to preside over the National Council. He has just completed his term as President and will serve as Past President in the year ahead.

As a seasoned producer, Scott takes personal ownership of his industry and has a humble perspective as an advocate. “I have been learning to advocate ever since I was a member of ALOT (Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow) Class 6. That’s when I chose to look beyond our farm gate for the first time. That program gave me confidence, courage, and seeds of desire to learn and understand the big picture,” Scott said. “As I have invested my time advocating for pork, my fellow pork producers have invested in me through professional training and leadership programs. With each new service opportunity, my communications and speaking training continued. I learned about how Boards function. My ability to serve my industry is thanks to my industry investing in me.”

Scott is well positioned to advocate for and empathize with all pork producers as he opens a new chapter next week as the Executive Director of Missouri Pork Association, stepping into the role left by retiring executive director Don Nikodim. During his tenure, Don played an instrumental role in advancing the interests of the pork industry in Missouri. Don’s contributions to the state’s agricultural landscape include his service as the first chairman of Missouri Farmers Care and champion for Missouri’s Right to Farm measure. The Missouri Pork Association has a strong foundation of leadership on which to build.  

“The Missouri Pork program is doing well. I plan to use a positive spirit of change to look hard within our organization. It will be a great opportunity to have conversations and evaluate and make a long-range strategic plan for where we need and want to go,” Scott said. “There is room in our industry to support different ways of producing and marketing our pigs. I want to facilitate those goals and make sure that Missouri Pork is bringing value to all producer segments.” Scott has been married to his high school sweetheart, Riss, for 36 years. They raised their six children on the family farm and are excited to share agriculture with their twelve grandchildren. Missouri Pork is a partner of Missouri Farmers Care.