Niman Ranch pork company celebrates 30 years

Niman Ranch gathers its network of hog farmers, partners and supporters for its annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration.

Niman Ranch

*Niman Ranch celebrates the 30th anniversary of its pork company and awards $280,000 to the next generation of family farmers.*

Natural meat brand Niman Ranch recently gathered its network of hog farmers, partners and supporters for its annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Celebration, a tradition that honors the people at the heart of its mission. At the center of the festivities, the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation awarded over $280,000 in scholarships and grants to young farmers and future rural leaders, reinforcing its long-standing efforts to help family farms thrive for generations to come.

This year’s event carried special significance as Niman Ranch celebrates the 30th anniversary of the pork company’s launch in 1995, when Paul Willis sold his first pigs in partnership with cattle rancher Bill Niman to be served at several of San Francisco’s farm-to-table restaurants. The launch of the Niman Ranch Pork Co. occurred at a time when small independent hog farmers were being pushed out by industry consolidation. 30 years later, Niman Ranch continues to demonstrate that farming with care—for the animals, the land and the community—is not only possible, but economically sustainable and valued by consumers across America.

The highlight of the evening was the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation’s award ceremony where over $280,000 was distributed to 64 young farmers and rural leaders in scholarships and grants. Thanks in part to the foundation’s giving, the average age of a Niman Ranch farmer is 43—more than 15 years younger than the average farmer age in the US. This unique success story reflects Niman Ranch’s belief that the future of agriculture depends on empowering the next generation with both opportunity and resources.

A $7,500 scholarship was awarded to Josie Hamilton of Rio Vista, Calif. to support her agricultural law degree. “This scholarship allows me to ease my worries about not only how I can pay for school and living expenses at the present moment, but more importantly, it lessens the amount of loans I will need to repay after college. The reduced loans will allow me to focus on my passion for agriculture and supporting the farming community,” Hamilton said. She and her family have been Niman Ranch lamb producers for 30 years.

Since its founding in 2006, the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation has distributed more than $2 million to support young farmers. The foundation is made possible through donations from the Niman Ranch community of customers, business partners and consumers—all who share a belief in Niman Ranch’s model of smaller scale, humane farming practices and supporting young farmers. Top donors in 2025 include ButcherBox, Marczyk Fine Foods, Harris Teeter, the Franklin P. & Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Wasatch Meats, West Coast Prime Meats and Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods.

Additionally, at the celebratory dinner Niman Ranch recognized farmers for excellence in sustainability, meat quality and long-term partnerships, including several farmers who celebrated 10-, 20- and 30-year milestones of raising livestock in the Niman Ranch program.

“For 30 years, Niman Ranch has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with independent farmers, proving there is a better way to raise livestock—one rooted in what’s best for the farmer, the animal, the land and our rural communities. Supporting the next generation is how we ensure this way of farming not only endures but thrives,” said Willis.

2025 scholarship and grant recipients