Popular Pig

Seth Mitchell is the manager of state pork industry relations in a multi-experiential pork industry immersion program organized by the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council and several state pork associations. In his current role at the National Pork Board, Mitchell supports the Producer and State Engagement team by presenting at various meetings and attending producer-facing events. At these events, he focuses on engaging niche, independent and show pig producers in conversations about their on-farm biosecurity practices and National Pork Board biosecurity resource utilization.

Prior to joining the National Pork Board in January 2023, Mitchell completed internships with the CropLife America Government Relations and CropLife International Public Affairs and Communications teams in Washington, D.C. Mitchell earned an associate degree in agriculture from Lake Land College and bachelor’s degrees in animal science and agricultural and consumer economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He grew up near Olney, Illinois, breeding and raising show pigs with an active involvement in 4-H and FFA. 

Chris Grant is the President of Innovative Heating Technologies (IHT) out of Winnipeg, MB Canada. After a 15 year career managing plastic manufacturing that moved him around the country, he was looking for a change in life and career. In 2013 he took the leap and partnered with Matt Robins by purchasing IHT. By combining their plastics and electrical backgrounds, they were able to create the most energy efficient and reliable heat pad for farrowing. Their technology has helped clients around the world drastically reduce their energy consumption on their farms. IHT is also leading the development of other heating and cooling projects for commercial and agricultural applications which include a partnership with Purdue University on “Sow Cooling” to combat heat stress.

Matthew Rooda is the President and CEO of SwineTech, Inc., a company that provides workforce and swine management solutions that increase the quality of care and productivity for pigs everywhere. With a background in genetics, pre-medicine, and animal health, Matthew has a passion for applying software and IoT devices to improve the lives of millions of companion and food production animals.

Since co-founding SwineTech in 2015, Matthew has led the company through the Pearse Lyons Accelerator in Ireland, raised more than $8 million in venture capital, and expanded the business to multiple continents. He has also been recognized as one of the most influential innovators in animal agriculture, a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, and a keynote speaker at various industry events. Matthew is also the host of the Popular Pig Podcast, where he shares insights and best practices on swine production and entrepreneurship.

Dustin Coleman, a stalwart in the Swine Industry since 2012, now proudly owns Coleman Quality Pork. His journey began humbly as a farmhand at Fisher Hog Farms, where his relentless work ethic and resilience paved the way to his ownership in 2021. Nestled in Middletown, Missouri, Dustin and his dedicated team manage a breed-to-wean facility housing approximately 2,500 sows, focusing on raising healthy pigs that will nourish people worldwide.

Beyond the farm, Dustin cherishes his life in Bowling Green, Missouri, where he shares his home with his wife, Holly, and their two children: Grayden, 14, and Brylee, 11. He’s an avid supporter of his children’s passions, from watching Grayden’s baseball games to cheering on Brylee at kickboxing matches.

In addition to being a devoted family man and business owner, Dustin is deeply involved in the Refuge Church. He firmly believes in prioritizing service to God in his life. During his downtime, Dustin can be found on the golf course, rooting for the Chiefs, or simply spending quality time with Holly.

Tom Pastor, a native of western Pennsylvania, now resides on a picturesque 10.5 acre homestead in the heart of south-central Pennsylvania. This expansive property, shared with his wife Dorothy of 35 years, hosts a vibrant livestock population that includes 30 meat goats and Dorothy’s prized Cubalaya and Bielfelder chickens. Tom’s journey in the world of animal production began with a B.S. degree from Penn State University in 1986, and was later augmented by a business certificate from Belmont University in 2001. A committed professional in the swine industry, Tom has accumulated 37 years of expansive and varied experience. His journey has taken him through all phases of the industry – managing sow units for DeKalb Swine Breeders in Kansas and Farm Crest Feeds in Pennsylvania, serving as a field representative for Farm Crest Feeds, and acting as a sales and service representative for PIC for a remarkable 20 years.

Today, Tom lends his expertise to Central Life Sciences, where he’s been the regional sales manager for the past 7 years. Alongside his work, Tom also contributed to the PA Pork Producers Council for 17 years, served as a board member and Past President of Penn Ag Industries, and is currently the chairman for Targeting Excellence Food Animal Agriculture Scholarships in Pennsylvania. Outside of work, Tom and Dorothy are proud parents of two children – their son, Tom, aged 27, and their daughter Calli, aged 29. Calli and her husband Austen, aged 30, have blessed Tom and Dorothy with their first grandchild, Tia Mae, who is now 19 months old. Away from their professional lives, Tom and Dorothy delight in a host of hobbies including golfing, fishing, and fellowship, though nothing surpasses the joy of spending time with their beloved granddaughter.

Nat Stas is a Technical Services Manager for PIC, joining the company in May of 2017. Nat has been in the commercial swine industry for 10 years, gathering experience within production, research and academia. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Pennsylvania State University, Nat spent some time in production. Nat then went onto complete a Masters Degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois with Dr. Mike Ellis, focusing on swine genetics and reproduction. In addition to Nat’s commitment to the commercial swine industry, he currently stays involved in the American Society of Animal Science and many livestock youth development and swine research programs. Nat resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Growing up amidst the humble cornfields of western Iowa, Todd Heisterkamp was part of a multi-generational farming legacy. His youthful eyes bore witness to the hardships his family faced during the fuel crisis of the late 1970s and the farming crisis of the early 1980s. These events deeply impacted young Todd, steering him towards an education and eventual career beyond the confines of agriculture. After a prosperous two-decade-long tenure in business development and manufacturing management, Todd felt an inexorable pull back to his agricultural roots. Heeding this call, Todd pivoted his career towards the pork industry, specifically focusing on its equipment aspect.

Now, Todd holds the title of Executive Director at Crystal Spring Hog Equipment. His role involves guiding the global business development and steering the marketing efforts for Crystal Spring products. Todd’s pride in his work and team, particularly the Business Development team, is palpable. Adding to this joy is the fact that he works closely with his wife, Natalia Rimi Heisterkamp. Natalia serves as Crystal Spring’s Director of Global Strategy, making their professional endeavors a truly family affair. Every day brings a new opportunity for them to work together, intertwining their passion for agriculture with their shared life journey.

Dr. Hyatt Frobose serves as the USA Commercial Director and Nutritionist for JYGATechnologies, Inc., a Quebec-based company producing GESTAL brand precision feedingsystems for the swine industry. Hyatt specializes in assisting swine producers with group-housing solutions and nutritional programs to optimize performance and welfare of sows andgrowing pigs in commercial environments. Since completing his Ph.D. in swine nutrition andmanagement at Kansas State University in 2015, Dr. Frobose has been a featured speaker andspecialist working with producers around the world in adopting new technologies and adaptingto increased animal welfare standards. In his role with JYGA, Hyatt has assisted with the designor renovation of over 250 sow farms representing over 400,000 sows. Dr. Frobose and his familyare based in Greeley, KS and are actively involved in their church, local 4-H programs andseedstock Gelbvieh cow/calf operation.

Matt Pickard is a North Carolina local and is a true southern creative. Not only an artist with food, he is musically and artistically talented as well. Matt has been working in kitchens in Tennessee and North Carolina for 20 years, and the camaraderie and culture ignited his passion for food at 16 years old. He became an executive chef at only 20 years old, and thrived in Nashville, TN while turning his energy as an artist and musician to food as a creative release. With his love and passion for helping those around him develop their skills and teach them new tricks in the kitchen he has inspired many to follow their dreams with his own talents. He has been working back in Charlotte for the last 9 years, and was a co-creator of the menu & concept of a pair of Charlotte restaurants.

Dr. Matt Ackerman grew up on a small grain and livestock farm around Peoria, IL. He attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and graduated with a BS in Agricultural Sciences in 1992 and a DVM in 1995. Since graduating, he has worked in private swine consulting practice. In July 2016, he opened his own practice named Pork Veterinary Solutions. Pork Veterinary Solutions is currently a two-veterinarian practice that oversees the annual production of approximately 1.5 million pigs (about 1% of US production). The emphasis of the practice is on establishing preventative herd health programs and interpreting production and economic records for commercial swine farms. Dr. Ackerman and his wife Missy have 3 children.

Michele Payn, CSP, connects the people and science of food and farming as principal of Cause Matters Corp. She is known for being a community catalyst, a passionate advocate for global agriculture – and touching hearts to move minds. Michele has worked with farmers in more than 25 countries, raised millions of dollars for 4-H & FFA, and founded AgChat and FoodChat on Twitter. She is the author of three books: Food Bullying, an IPPY gold medal winner; Food Truths from Farm to Table, an IPPY bronze medal winner; and No More Food Fights!. 

She also hosts the Food Bullying podcast. Michele’s degrees are in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science from Michigan State University. She has earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation, awarded to less than 10% of professional speakers globally. She resides with her ‘city slicker’ husband and cow-loving daughter on a small farm in central Indiana. She enjoys Registered Holsteins, the MSU Spartans, and making memories with friends around the table. Michele connects farms and food, brains and behavior, at www.causematters.com and on social media as @mpaynspeaker.