I don’t know about you but I am hard-pressed to put away my grill, to cover up the smoker, and remove any sign of outdoor cooking from my deck this time of year.

I just can’t do it! At least not until the third or fourth big snowfall. Smoker use all the way till Thanksgiving is, in fact, a must. And even then the deep-fryer comes out to join the group in that last big hoo-rah!

The idea is simple — if I can get one more time out there I feel I’ve fought the good fight — not giving in to winter.

Ah but October. This month is a guarantee that the almost every day is still a grilling day. Baseball playoffs, the start of the NBA and NHL seasons, and football games at every level.

So, with all this great activity happening, I am not surprised that October has been designated National Pork Month!

To celebrate October being National Pork Month, the Ohio Pork Council (OPC) is encouraging farmers to engage in conversations and say “thank you” to consumers for purchasing pork.

Additionally, OPC will be, once again, utilizing the hashtag #Porktober as a means of compiling pork-specific information on various social media platforms. Last year, #Porktober was prompted by OPC and picked up by national ag media, state and national pork associations, and a major restaurant chain. OPC encourages members, industry organizations and partners, and pork fans to utilize the hashtag during October as a way to take advantage of existing content and reach, and help to spread a positive message about our industry.

I will be using the #Porktober in all our social media — and you should, too. Let us know about your favorite dishes, how you prepare your pork — maybe even where you buy and why.

Here are some very interesting fast facts about pork production in Ohio and the United States:

• Pork production adds value to the local economy by providing more than 10,000 jobs in Ohio. Whether it’s the veterinarian, truck driver, feed supplier or meat manager, a strong pork community means jobs for Ohioans.

• Farmers’ livelihoods depend on the well-being of their livestock.

• Each year thousands of students learn about agriculture and Ohio hog farmers through educational materials that are provided to teachers across the state.

• There are eight cuts of pork with less than 200 calories per serving.

• Through participation in the Pork Quality Assurance Program, Ohio’s hog farmers are proactive in improving food safety.

• It’s no secret that Ohio has thousands of hardworking families dedicated to raising hogs for a living. Hog farmers are concerned about air and water quality because they live here, too.

• Ohio is well-suited for pork production with its abundant supply of corn and soybeans that are used for livestock feed.

• By raising pigs indoors, hog farmers are able to keep their pigs warm during Ohio’s frigid winters and cool in the summers.

For more information about pork production in Ohio, please visit www.ohiopork.org

Don’t forget use the #Porktober and support our Ohio pork producers!

Here’s seeing you, in Ohio Country!