Lander Middle School student Carsen Simon received recognition from Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon for his participation in the Fair to Fork program, part of the Wyoming Hunger Initiative’s Food from the Farm + Ranch efforts, County 10 reports.
Simon donated a pig to the Hudson Food Pantry, contributing to a statewide initiative that addresses food insecurity while supporting agricultural education and youth development.
Launched in 2021 in partnership with Wyoming 4-H and FFA, the Fair to Fork program uses Wyoming-raised livestock to provide high-quality protein to local communities. Thanks to a grant from the Hughes Charitable Foundation, the Wyoming Hunger Initiative purchased and processed 21 hogs in 2024. These efforts resulted in over 2,500 pounds of pork distributed to 22 anti-hunger agencies across Wyoming.
The program selects participants through a lottery system, involving 21 youth from 21 Wyoming counties this year. It supports youth in developing sustainable agricultural solutions while supplying essential food to families in need.
Simon was commended for his contribution during a visit by First Lady Gordon to Lander Middle School. His donated pig provided fresh protein for the Hudson Food Pantry, one of the 22 agencies benefiting from the program.
“Fresh food and sources of high-quality protein are notoriously expensive and difficult to procure for the food bank system… Being a producer myself, my initial vision for Wyoming Hunger Initiative was to encompass a component of agriculture that would be part of the solution to food insecurity in our state. Fair to Fork is another way to execute that vision while encouraging Wyoming’s youth to get involved,” said First Lady Gordon.
The Food from the Farm + Ranch program exemplifies collaboration between agriculture and anti-hunger initiatives. Its ultimate goal is to leverage Wyoming’s resources to support its people, demonstrating a partnership between the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, University of Wyoming Extension, Wyoming FFA Association, and the Hughes Charitable Foundation.
The Wyoming Hunger Initiative, the official project of First Lady Jennie Gordon, operates as part of the Wyoming Governor’s Residence Foundation, a nonprofit organization. To learn more about their efforts to combat hunger, visit the Wyoming Hunger Initiative website.
