Ballots will be electronic. Look for ballots in your e-mail Thursday, November 16, 2023.
Meet the Candidates 2023
Secretary/Treasurer, two candidates
My name is Jennifer Rafn. I live in Taft Tennessee and my husband I own Pecan Hill Farms. We just began our farming adventures in July of 2022, so we’re pretty knew to this. My grandparents were farmers in Illinois. They grew corn on about 1000 acres and had about 300 hogs. I always loved being on the farm, even when grandpa made us work.
We actually got introduced to the red wattle breed when my husband attended a Farmer Veterans meeting and won 2 piglets. We’ve since purchased one more. We also have goats, cows, and chickens.
By day I work for a Medicare Advantage company. I work with business areas to help better their products or systems. I have a MBA from Trevecca University.
I also enjoy being outdoors, hiking, kayaking, gardening, and being with the animals. I also love baking and canning.
Nick Tank
I have been raising hogs most of my adult life. When I herd of red wattle, I was intrigued. Then I heard that they were on the endangered list. I was super interested. Then I heard about the possibility to being related to libero and was even more interested. Been raising pork for awhile now and have plans to pass down to my sons. Both Tony and Josh are highly involve in bringing RW to Montana. I’m 38 and I’m in school for my Nurse Practitioner. Been raising hogs most of my adult life. I have been enjoying the RWHA for some time and continue to do so! Just moved from the farm in Missouri to a much bigger place in Montana. Most people here have never even heard of RW! I suspect they are about to! I’m not 100% fully developed yet but in the next 2 years I’ll grow everything that my hogs need!
God bless,
Nick Tank
Members at Large, three candidates
My name is Brittany Harper and, along with my husband, Nathan, run Harper Valley Acres in Marshall, Texas. We have raised Red Angus cattle since 2014 and got into Red Wattle hogs in 2021.
Not many people can say a pork chop changed their life, but it did mine! I had no intention of pig farming until I had a Red Wattle pork chop in San Antonio and decided I needed to find a way to replicate it.
Both Nathan and I come from long lines of cattlemen (and one pig farmer!) and are proud to raise quality animals that produce quality meat (or other quality animals).
John Northrop
Fellow Red Wattle Association members, my name is Jonathan Northrop and I would appreciate the opportunity to represent you as one of the at large members of the board of directors.
For the last 20 years my wife Jen and I have made our living as full time farmers. For 17 years we operated a dairy farm that we started with 4 cows and grew to 240 cows. During that time I served on our small milk cooperatives board of directors for 15 years. Over those years I saw first hand, the strength of an organization is very much tied to the commitment of the directors and their willingness to listen to the input of the members.
The supply chain issues surrounding Covid forced us to make the difficult decision to exit the dairy business. Over the last three years, we have built a successful direct to consumer pasture based meat business, selling pork, beef and lamb. I became acquainted with Red Wattle pigs over this time and this year was able to add them to our herd. They have quickly become our favorite of all the breeds on the farm. In talking with many breeders of these exceptional pigs, all share the concern of preservation, promotion and continued improvement. I am confident that my experience over the last 20 years will be an asset to the organization as it faces the challenges of these objectives. Please allow me the opportunity to be your representative and voice for the coming year as one of the at large members of your association board of directors.
Thank you,
Jonathan Northrop
Northrop Farms
Chantal Mullen
I’ve had RWs for 2 years now and we’ve chosen to raise this breed for meat and breeding. We feature the RW on our TikTok page for education and when put on classes for our farm. I also teach meat processing, and castration classes. I am in the process of putting together an inspected mobile processing unit to service NC.
Leave a Reply