DES MOINES, Iowa — Producer delegates from across the United States will gather in Atlanta, March 1-3, for the annual National Pork Industry Forum.
The 15 producers who serve as members of the National Pork Board and Pork Checkoff staff leadership will hear directly from Pork Act Delegates appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Each year the delegates confer, vote on resolutions and advisements and provide valuable direction on the important issues facing pork producers and the industry.
The theme for this year’s Pork Forum, Power of Pork: Moving Mountains, references the current record-breaking U.S. pork production and pork producers’ continued work together to meet the challenges and opportunities of a growing industry. Delegates will learn about the aggressive promotions to grow consumer demand and plans to build consumer trust and drive sustainable production.
“While our industry is growing, so is demand for our product – both domestically and internationally,” said Jan Archer, president of the National Pork Board and a pig farmer from Goldsboro, North Carolina. “With faith and focus, resolve and connectedness to each other, we can achieve our goals and move mountains.”
At the meeting, Pork Act Delegates will rank eight candidates for the National Pork Board and submit the list to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, for approval. The candidates, in alphabetical order, are:
- Todd Erickson – Northwood, North Dakota
- M. James Faison – Hopewell, Virginia
- Heather Hill – Greenfield, Indiana
- Brett Kaysen – Nunn, Colorado
- Scott Phillips – Drexel, Missouri
- Steve Rommereim – Alcester, South Dakota
- Kristine Scheller-Stewart – Goldsboro, North Carolina
- Charles Wildman – South Charleston, Ohio
Prior to the annual meeting, members of the National Pork Board also will convene their March meeting. The agenda will include updates on 2017 plans to enhance pork demand, increase market opportunities, improve pork production practices and invest in research priorities.
Included on the 2017 Pork Forum agenda will be opportunities for pork producers to become certified in the pork industry’s Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) program, as well as learn more about pork industry programs. The full agenda is available at www.porkindustryforum.com.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, science and technology, swine health, pork safety and sustainability and environmental management.
For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check the Internet at www.pork.org.
— The National Pork Board
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