John Hardin owns Hardin Farms, a grain and pork operation located west of Indianapolis.  The farm includes corn and soybeans for use in the food industry, as well as the first pork operation in Indiana to qualify for the Certified Livestock Farm Program; the initiative certifies good practices and record keeping in the areas of animal welfare, environmental stewardship, food safety, bio-security, and neighbor relations. John is the sixth generation of his family to farm on Indianapolis’ west side since his ancestors settled there in 1826.

Hardin has served as a member of the Food Security Advisory Committee to
USAID-USDA; he is a past President of the National Pork Producers Council and is a former Chairman of the United States Meat Export Federation, where much of his work has been to expand demand for U.S. agricultural products.

During the Clinton administration, Hardin served as Vice-Chair of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade, and the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission.

Past service also includes chairing the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the Chicago Board of Trade, and membership on the Indiana Rural Policy Commission.

Among awards and honors received by Mr. Hardin are: Distinguished Agricultural Alumnus, Purdue University School of Agriculture, 1992; Alpha Zeta Centennial Honor Roll for Service to Agriculture, 1997; Pork Industry Hall of Fame, 2002; and United States Meat Export Federation Distinguished Service Award, 2007.

Mr. Hardin holds a degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University where he currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Hardin is married to
Vicki Evans Hardin.

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