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Pork History

Pigs were among the first animals to be domesticated. When an animal has been “domesticated,” it no longer has to find its own food and shelter. Humans provide these items because it is either tamed for a pet, like a dog, used on a farm, or raised for meat. It is believed that pigs have been domesticated for over 9,000 years.

Pigs arrived in North America in 1539. A Spanish explorer named Hernando de Soto brought 13 pigs to Florida. Eventually, most pig farmers ended up in the Midwest, including Minnesota.