PASO ROBLES, Calif. (RFD NEWS) — For many families, county and state fair season means early mornings, late nights in the barn and lessons that extend far beyond the show ring. For the Dadson family of Paso Robles, California, those experiences have also become a way to connect millions of people to agriculture through social media.
Kyle and Karis Dadson of Dadson Farms joined us on Market Day Report Weekend to discuss how their family’s online videos have introduced audiences worldwide to livestock showing and rural life.
Dadson Farms is a family-run show pig operation led by Kyle and Karalyn Dadson and their children, Karis and Krew. The family raises and prepares show pigs for competitions across the country.
“We have a small sow herd here at the house and primarily focus on show pig genetics,” Kyle Dadson said. “What we spend most of our time doing is preparing show barrows and show gilts for kids to exhibit all across the country.”
The family travels extensively during show season, attending events close to home in California and as far away as the Midwest.
Their social media presence took off after videos of Karis showing pigs in the ring — including her now-famous focused expression while watching judges — began gaining attention online.
“At first, I thought it was just something that would happen a few times,” Karis said. “But as we continued posting and as I got older, I realized how powerful social media could be for agriculture.”
That reach has grown significantly. Dadson Farms now has more than 550,000 followers on TikTok, nearly 50 million likes and more than 100 videos that have surpassed one million views.
Karis says the platform has become an important tool for improving agricultural literacy.
“Through FFA and researching the agriculture industry, I realized agricultural literacy is such a huge thing in America that needs to happen,” she said. “This was not only advocating for the industry, but showing people how diverse agriculture truly is.”
Kyle, who has spent 23 years as an agriculture teacher in California, says the family’s goal has always been education.
“Everything we put out there is intended to be helpful,” he said. “Some people have never seen a livestock animal before in their life, so giving them that opportunity and experience is such a blessing.”
He says the show ring teaches young people much more than livestock skills.
“The junior livestock industry helps kids evolve into better people,” Kyle said.
As the family continues traveling the country, they say the experiences are about more than banners and ribbons.
LEARN MORE: dadsonfarms.com
