This month, we’re excited to feature Logan Thornton of Idaho, in our next Seat at the Table discussion. A dedicated pig farmer and active leader in the swine industry, Logan shares his journey from raising pigs on his family farm to getting involved in state and national pork associations. With a focus on show pigs and commercial pork production, Logan’s story highlights his commitment to the industry and his family. Here’s an insightful conversation with Logan about his experiences.

Q: Showpig 

Logan, thank you for joining me today. I'm excited to talk as part of our series, A Seat at the Table. Why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

A: Logan Thornton

I'm Logan Thornton from Kuna, Idaho. We raise pigs in a combination production system, where we have both show pigs and commercial animals. We focus a lot on commercial Berkshire genetics. We supply everything from show pigs to, just this morning, I was delivering pork to restaurants in Boise. I’ve been raising pigs my whole life. My dad started the farm, so I'm second generation. I have four kids, and we love raising pigs.

Q: Showpig 

Can you tell us how you got involved with your state and national pork associations?

A: Logan Thornton 

My dad was very involved in the industry — he was on the National Pork Board when I was growing up. My biggest interest started when I tagged along to World Pork Expo in Des Moines. There, I saw the pig show, which was a completely different experience from the county shows we have back home — that sparked my interest. After college, I started attending our small but mighty state association meetings here in Idaho. Ever since my early 20s, I’ve tried to help out on the board and do whatever I can. That eventually led me to becoming part of the National Pork Board’s Pig Farmers of Tomorrow series. I was one of the first three pork producers recognized through the program. Since then, I’ve been involved in the Pork Industry Forum almost every year, helping represent Idaho.

Q: Showpig 

You mentioned attending Pork Forum, but you also attended the National Show Pig Summit this year. What was that experience like for you, especially since you have experience with both show pigs and commercial pigs?

A: Logan Thornton 

The Show Pig Summit was another great benefit of being involved in the state association. I saw advertisements for the event and when our state contact, Bonnie, mentioned it at one of our meetings, I asked how I could attend. Thanks to the state association, I was able to go and represent Idaho, make connections, and learn. It was amazing to be in the same room with breeders I’ve admired for years. I even got to sit at a dinner table with Tracy Lorenzen, which was an incredible opportunity. Events like that are hard to come by out here geographically, so it was great to attend and participate in the Show Pig Summit hosted by Showpig.com.

Q: Showpig 

It’s clear that you're always ready to raise your hand for opportunities, which speaks volumes about your leadership. What advice would you give to producers who are interested in getting involved but haven’t taken the leap?

A: Logan Thornton 

I think others need to know that it doesn’t require a specific set of skills. You don’t have to be the best communicator or public speaker, and you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. Your voice still matters. If you're working hard every day as a pig farmer, your perspective is valuable, no matter your size or experience. There's a seat at the table for everyone. The more you communicate and meet new people, the more you'll be heard. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! You get to go places you might not otherwise and connect with others who understand the challenges we face. Idaho has seen a lot of new people getting involved, and it’s exciting to see.

Q: Showpig 

When you travel to conferences like in St. Louis or Orlando, how do you manage taking care of the farm back home?

A: Logan Thornton 

My dad, who introduced me to this industry, is still involved in our operation. We also have a couple of full-time employees. But when I'm the one mixing the feed and doing the day-to-day work, it takes a lot of preparation beforehand to get ahead. When I return, I'm usually behind, but that's just part of the job. This year, I wasn’t able to attend the forum due to scheduling conflicts, but you have to pick and choose when you can make it work. It’s a lot of work, but the opportunity to meet people and learn from others is always worth it.

Q: Showpig 

Tell us more about your kids — are they involved in the show ring?

A: Logan Thornton 

They are! Yesterday, we were moving some show pigs into the barn to get them ready for sale. My daughter is particularly excited about a litter of pigs from a gilt she showed last year. She helped pick out the boar, ear notched them, and cut the tails. It’s fun to see her get excited about all the work and watch those pigs grow. The kids love being involved in every aspect, from showing pigs to delivering pork to restaurants. They even love seeing our farm’s logo on the meat packaging.

Q: Showpig 

You mentioned that you provide meat to restaurants in the Boise, Idaho area. What was your first step in getting your meat into restaurants?

A: Logan Thornton 

The first step was contacting a USDA-approved packer. Since Idaho doesn’t have state inspection, everything needs to be USDA-inspected for retail. A family member who’s involved in the Boise restaurant scene helped us connect with a couple of restaurants. From there, word spread, and we’ve continued to grow that side of the business. We also have an online store where people can pick up pork directly from us. However, we’re limited by the number of pigs we can get processed locally. It’s a big part of our business, though, and I really enjoy seeing our customers, whether they’re buying show pigs or pork.

Q: Showpig 

What are some things that surprise you about your customers when they ask questions or learn about your operation?

A: Logan Thornton 

I guess what surprises me is how excited they are to connect with us. I’m naturally an introverted person, but they want to know where their meat comes from and who’s raising it. They want to connect with us on a personal level, and a lot of them like to say, “I’ve got a pork guy!” It’s fun to be that person. Similarly, when I sell show pigs, I tell kids I’ll be as involved as they want me to be, and I really enjoy getting to know the families and helping them out however I can.

Q: Showpig 

As we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with show-pig kids or producers?

A: Logan Thornton 

I just love the community the pork industry creates. I’ve met so many people locally and within the state because of my involvement in showing pigs. It’s expanded my horizons and helped me grow. I’d encourage others to find people who help you grow, as it’s a great experience. I love raising pigs, and I hope to keep doing it with my family for years to come.

Q: Showpig

Where can people find you and your farm?

A: Logan Thornton 

We’re Flying Pig Farm. We have two Facebook pages: Flying Pig Farm Show Pigs and Flying Pig Farm Pork. We also have a website, fpffarms.com. While we don’t currently ship pork, locals can buy it directly from us. We had an online pig sale yesterday, and things are starting to get busy!

Q: Showpig 

Thanks so much for joining us, Logan! I know it’s a busy season, so we really appreciate your time. We look forward to seeing how your kids continue to grow in and outside of the show ring. Thanks for everything you do for the pork industry.