Who will make the decisions that move the pork industry forward? Who will step up to be animal caretakers in pig barns? In a world where fewer and fewer kids get the chance to grow up on a farm, how will that statistic impact the future of agriculture?
There’s no question the demand is high for the next generation of swine industry decisionmakers and farm employees, says Chelsey Van Genderen, program manager for the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence (USPCE). This non-profit organization, established in 2005, is focused on facilitating greater cooperation and collaboration among land-grant universities, the pork production industry. Funding for the USPCE is provided by the Pork Checkoff, NPPC, state pork associations and land-grant universities.
This question of where the labor force will come from is top of mind as USPCE works to fill in the gaps.
Cultivating Talent
“The USPCE can help swine producers by developing the next level of talent that comes to them. When they hire someone, or if there is a current employee that has a need to learn more about the industry, we have opportunities for those individuals,” she says.
One of the ways USPCE is adding value is by facilitating research and learning opportunities. Van Genderen recalls her own university experience and questioning her next steps when she was an undergraduate.
“I discovered that every opportunity is a learning path and a pivot point as you think of careers,” she says. “So specifically, USPCE’s research education experience RFP (request for proposals) is designed to reach those students when they are exploring their career options. It’s a transition point for them to determine what their next steps are. Research may be one of those next steps. Our goal is to continue to fill the talent pipeline.”
Currently, USPCE has two opportunities available for college undergraduate and graduate students.
Swine Research and Education Experience Opportunities Available
In an effort to expand undergraduate and veterinary student participation in research and education projects relevant to the swine industry, the Swine Research and Education Experience (SREE) offers students the opportunity to identify, develop and complete their own project. USPCE will fund up to six $5,000 mini-grants.
“The goal is that the student will experience a swine research project and get to inject themselves into the pork industry,” she says. “We also hope they learn more about the pork industry and that students potentially go into a swine research focus for further education or straight into the pork industry with a greater exposure to what goes into research.”
SREE is one more way the pork industry is seeking to draw in students who might not otherwise consider a career in the swine industry, Van Genderen explains. The projects are designed to involve students early on in their college careers.
Students from all applicable discipline areas are eligible for consideration. University faculty or staff will collaborate and mentor the student in the identification, development and completion of the project. Van Genderen adds that university faculty or staff must identify the topic for the project and identify the roles and responsibilities an undergraduate student will be responsible for in conducting the project.
“That’s a pretty cool learning opportunity for a student to experience all that goes into a swine research project at that point in their college career,” she says.
The proposal submission deadline is June 30. Projects must be submitted through the normal grant proposal system of the institution/college involved. Proposal reviews will be completed, and notifications made by Aug. 15. Project initiation can be expected to begin as early as Sept. 1 and projects are to be completed, including submission of final report, by May 31, 2022. Click here for more information on specific RFP requirements.
PIG Contributors Needed
For years, the Pork Information Gateway (PIG) has provided the pork industry with an online library full of fact sheets, how-to guides, videos and more, covering a wide range of topics important to pork production. It replaced what was the Pork Information Handbook, Van Genderen says.
With a two-fold intent to develop new content and provide opportunities for the next generation of swine industry leaders, PIG is looking for content creators and editors, she says.
The USPCE works with up to four graduate/post-doctoral students to serve as year-long editors and content creators for specific categories on the PIG. This work is overseen by the faculty mentor. Each $20,000 award will be used by a faculty mentor to help support one of the above listed students. These funds are renewable for an additional year after review, she notes.
The application deadline is May 15. Proposals should not be more than five pages. Selected editors will be notified by June 15 with the program beginning in the fall of 2021. Click here more information on specific RFP requirements.
Read more about graduate students in the swine industry on Farm Journal’s PORK:
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