Passionate. Committed. Purposeful. Visionary. Intelligent. Thoughtful. A man of integrity. Of the many ways one could describe Neil Dierks, retiring chief executive officer of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), all would agree on this: his leadership has undeniably made the pork industry better.
For more than 30 years, Dierks has devoted himself to the U.S. pork industry, always focusing on how to improve producers’ well-being. To honor his legacy, the National Pork Industry Foundation has created a scholarship to support Neil Dierks.
Scholarship organizers say his December 2021 retirement created an opportunity to honor his contribution to the U.S. pork industry and legacy as a leader, while carrying on his passion of equipping the next generation of pork industry leaders.
“Neil’s passion has always been education of youth and development of those future leaders of our industry,” says Dallas Hockman, vice president of industry relations at NPPC. “This scholarship will go to individuals who have a very strong interest in the pork sector and attend a land-grant institution. Most importantly, it’s going to go to those individuals who are interested in seeking further education after their undergraduate degree in any area of the pork sector.”
Working alongside Dierks for the past 25 years has allowed Hockman to witness Dierks’ passion not only for young people, but also for research and land-grant institutions.
“This scholarship is very fitting to honor Neil’s interests, but especially as we find ourselves with the need for more dollars for the development of youth and as we face challenges associated with finding new leaders in the industry. I think this is a great way to remember the dedication and the commitment of one of the key leaders of our industry that’s led us through some really challenging times,” Hockman says.
Dierks is a humble leader who’s not into awards and accolades, he adds.
“A scholarship will live on to honor Neil’s contribution to the swine industry for a long period of time,” Hockman says.
The first winner of the $5,000 Neil Dierks Scholarship will be awarded at the 2023 National Pork Industry Forum in March. Applications will be due in September 2022. The fundraising efforts will kick off this month. To help fund the Neil Dierks Scholarship for many years to come, visit nppc.org. Contributions are tax deductible.
“I am extremely humbled by this honor,” Dierks says. “This is one of my proudest recognitions because this scholarship will help foster new leaders for the pork industry, people who will guide us into the future and help ensure the great women and men who make up our industry can continue feeding people around the globe with safe, nutritious pork.”
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