Demand U.S. Government Reinstate USDA Website

Oct 01, 2013

Farms.com Launches Petition

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website is down amid the federal government shutdown. The department has a notice on its main page saying “Due to the lapse in federal government funding, this website is not available.” It seems strange that the USDA site is down, because the majority of other government websites appear to be available.

While all non-essential services are closed, the USDA site provides some essential information, including market data and more. Several people have taken to Twitter to express their frustration, including a number of students who say that they are unable to do their homework because the site is down. Here are a few examples of Tweets:

Click here to sign the petition. Include your name and state in the thread. At the end of each day, Farms.com will compile all the names in a PDF. document and forward it to the Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s office.

Video: CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

CEOs of the Industry, Jim sits down with John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems, one of the most quietly impressive 26,000-sow operations in the U.S. John shares how he grew from operator to partner, how Pike built a people-first culture with long-tenured managers, and why they’re committed to weaning bigger, stronger pigs at 25+ days.

John breaks down how Pike stays efficient in a tough economic environment, the power of their shareholder-owned farm model, and how their work with PIC and a 240-head boar facility drives genetics and health outcomes. He also opens up about the innovations Pike adopts — and how they decide what’s truly valuable versus industry hype.

From Prop 12 and labor challenges to trade, consumer expectations, and sustainability, John chooses a hot-button issue and shares how Pike is preparing for the future. The episode closes with a rapid-fire “Fast Five” — mindset, leadership, daily habits, and three words that define Pike Pig Systems in 2025.

If you want a look inside a people-driven, purpose-driven, quietly elite pork system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.