Eric Stonestreet Teams Up With The National Pork Board To Correct Misconceptions About Pig Farming

Eric Stonestreet has some important info about pigs and pig farming!

The "Modern Family" star, 50, has teamed up with the National Pork Board to help dispel myths about pig farming. According to People, the actor grew up farming in rural Kansas, hence his involvement with the campaign.

"I thought it was a great opportunity to do a full-circle moment, where I'm able to use my name and face to help shine some positive light on the pork producers of America," Stonestreet said. "So that's where the relationship started, and what the goal is — busting some myths and just really educating people and hopefully inspiring them to have ... an understanding of where their food comes from. I think people would be surprised so much about so many different things about a modern pig farm."

He started by saying, "little idioms that we all grew up saying in our vernacular."

Stonestreet then explained how some typical short phrases regarding "pigs" affect particular people.

"Like, 'sweating like a pig,' or, 'when pigs fly,' or 'pigsty,' or, 'slop in the pigs' — things like that, that you don't think really mean anything," he said. "But to a pork producer and a pig farmer, they kind of can indicate sort of an untruth about the actual animal and about the operation of pig farming."

He continued, "Let's take 'sweating like a pig' — pigs don't even sweat. They don't have sweat glands. This notion that pigs sweating is some disgusting thing might lead someone to say, 'Well, I don't want to eat pigs because pigs are all sweaty.' Well, that's not true."

Stonestreet also clarified the belief that pigs are dirty animals.

"Pigs naturally are very clean animals," he stated. "And then when you add in the consciousness and care that farmers put into raising pigs on a moderate pig farm, they're a very clean animal. They're raised in temperature controlled barns with nutrition being paid attention to at the highest degree making sure that the pigs eating well-balanced meals daily."

As per the outlet, the "Secret Life of Pets" actor won a "grand champion ribbon" at the Wyandot County Fair in Ohio "by taking a picture of all the pigs sniffing my tennis shoes" and titling it, "And you say we smell?"

In addition to his myth-busting notes, Stonestreet also believed that "pigs are an incredibly smart, intelligent, funny animal."

He continued, "And I have so many memories of just being in the pen with my pigs and taking pictures of them."

He also went a trip down memory lane, sharing some fond memories he had working with his dad and his pals.

"Looking back at all the good times I had working around the farm with my dad, with my friends, bringing my friends over and letting them see a sow farrow pigs," he recalled. "Most of my friends didn't grow up in that environment. So being able to bring friends over and say, 'Well, this pig's three hours old,' that's new territory for a lot of [people]."