Missouri Pig Farmer Throws First Pitch at Busch Stadium Through Race to the Plate Program
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Missouri pig farmer Dustin Coleman of Middletown, Missouri, recently stepped onto one of baseball’s biggest stages as he threw the ceremonial first pitch at Busch Stadium, highlighting the connection between Missouri agriculture and consumers through the Missouri Farmers Care Race to the Plate campaign.
Coleman was recognized during a St. Louis Cardinals game as part of the partnership between Missouri Farmers Care, the St. Louis Cardinals, and Missouri agricultural organizations, including the Missouri Pork Association.
The Race to the Plate program has spent more than a decade connecting baseball fans with the farm families who grow and raise their food. Through in-stadium features, social media campaigns, fan engagement opportunities, and agricultural outreach, the program showcases Missouri farmers and the important role they play in producing safe, affordable food.
Throughout the baseball season, members of the Race to the Plate “Farm Team” interact with Cardinals fans during pregame activities, share their farming stories, and help educate consumers about modern agriculture. The campaign highlights many areas of Missouri agriculture, including pork production, beef, dairy, grain farming, and other agricultural sectors.
Coleman’s appearance at Busch Stadium provided an opportunity to put a face behind Missouri pork production and showcase the hardworking farm families who care for livestock every day. His first pitch represented not only his own farming operation, but also the thousands of pork producers who contribute to Missouri’s agricultural economy.
The Missouri Pork Association is one of several agricultural organizations supporting the Race to the Plate initiative. Together, the groups work to strengthen consumer trust and promote a better understanding of food production and modern farming practices.
For many Cardinals fans, the experience offers a unique opportunity to meet the farmers behind their food and learn firsthand about animal care, sustainability, and agriculture. The partnership continues to serve as a strong platform for sharing agriculture’s story with millions of baseball fans across Missouri and beyond.
As Dustin Coleman stood on the mound at Busch Stadium, he represented more than Missouri pork production — he represented the farm families who work every day to provide food, fuel, and fiber while strengthening rural communities across the state.