Happy National BBQ Day! Let’s celebrate the AGW-certified farmers and ranchers who make days like today possible — because what would great barbecue be without delicious, high-welfare and sustainable ingredients?

This National BBQ Day, we want to introduce you to Ronald Simmons, owner of Master Blend Family Farms in Kenansville, North Carolina. 

Ronald and his team produce pasture-raised pigs and vegetables on their farm in Duplin County, the third generation to farm the land. Master Blend Family Farms supplies Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW pork products to restaurants, celebrity chefs, and high-end eateries across the East Coast who often feature the AGW-certified pork in flavorful barbecue dishes. Master Blend Family Farms also provides pork to local customers through their farm store and mobile food truck.

Ronald is also significantly involved in his local community, volunteering time with area youth and teaching farming and business skills in schools. He is a respected voice in regional and national conversations on food, farming and barbecue — and was most recently featured as a fellow in Kingsford Charcoal’s National Preserve the Pit campaign.

And if you’re cooking low and slow this National BBQ Day, we hope you’ll do it with AGW-certified ingredients (find them here!) and give a nod of appreciation to all the farmers, ranchers and producers, who make this tasty tradition possible.

Towards a greener world,