When Lori Stevermer said yes to becoming a salesperson for Wayne Feeds, she was one of a few females in sales within the company. In fact, there were very few in the swine industry. Perhaps that’s why she has taken this advice to heart over the years that she’s since passed down to her kids: “Don’t be afraid to be the only person like yourself in the room.”
Although being one of the only females in the room created some challenges over the years, Stevermer says it’s also created opportunities and opened her eyes to the value of both male and female perspectives working together to find solutions.
“We need diversity of thought in agriculture because everybody brings a different perspective,” she says. “Whether you’re male or female, old or young, you bring a different perspective. I think we have to acknowledge that those differences can make us stronger.”
Hold Each Other Up
Throughout the past year in her role as president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Stevermer sees how valuable a range of ideas has been in helping the board of directors achieve goals on behalf of America’s pork producers.
“When we took the time to go around the room and make sure everybody articulated their thoughts, we made a better decision as a board because we saw it from more angles,” she explains. “To me, that’s why making sure we have a variety of people at the table is so key. We make better decisions when we understand the complexity of the situation at hand.”
Contrary to when she started down her career path years ago, there are more women than ever in leadership roles within the swine industry and in agriculture now. But as the mother of two sons and a daughter, she believes there is value in encouraging young men to get involved, too.
“Just because you’re holding one person up doesn’t mean you’re pushing another person down,” Stevermer says. “We can do both. I think the key is sharing those small words at the right time that could help someone realize their voice does count.”
A Tap on the Shoulder
Years ago, someone shared a few small words with Stevermer that she still holds dear today – you’d be a good board member. She says that tap on the shoulder and bit of encouragement was life-changing.
“I can’t overstate how important it is for us to think of people that we need to tap on the shoulder and let them know we see potential in them,” she explains. “Even though I had grown up on a farm, was involved with farming, knew the industry and had confidence in myself, somebody else giving me that nudge and believing in me was pivotal.”
Scott Hays, a Missouri pig farmer, preceded Stevermer as president and has served with her on the NPPC board of directors for several years. He says it’s not hard to identify her strengths as a leader. She’s thoughtful, good at getting input from others, knowledgeable about the industry and considers all the consequences before setting a course of action, he says.
“I believe Lori’s knowledge of nearly every aspect of the swine industry comes from having these qualities,” Hays says. “They give her the ability to think strategically with the knowledge to react quickly when needed. Lori is effective in DC and in foreign markets because she has studied the issue and has a plan, so even a last-minute pivot when something has changed isn’t a problem for her.”
Big Issues, Big Opportunities
As NPPC president, Stevermer had to deal with many big issues throughout the past year. She’ll tell you that’s part of being the president, but NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys will quickly tell you that she dealt with more than her share of issues as president.
Of all the issues NPPC tackled in the past year, she says the farm bill looms in her mind as the one thing she hoped they could have checked off the list.
“We really wanted to get that passed and get that federal solution to prop 12 in the farm bill,” Stevermer reflects on her presidency that concluded at the National Pork Industry Forum in mid March. “As a person who likes to get things done, I feel like I left that one incomplete.”
However, she is grateful that their team, along with grassroots engagement by producers, was able to make a difference in the labor situation.
“We changed the narrative on the TN visas, and that is looking to improve. I feel good about that issue and how we addressed it,” she says. “I am proud of the state ballot measures (Denver slaughterhouse ban, Soma County CAFOs) that were defeated because of NPPC’s involvement and getting others involved.”
Keep Showing Up
When Stevermer took over as president just over a year ago, she challenged pork producers to show up and be engaged.
She knows this is not easy. But as Humphreys always tells her, “If it was easy, it would already be done. We are here to do the hard things.”
Stevermer will be the first to admit that the pork industry is complex. There will always be a variety of opinions from everyone trying to find the best path forward. She says sometimes half the battle is realizing there are no easy decisions.
“Pork producers need to have a seat at the table when decisions are being made,” Stevermer says. “Keep showing up. Be persistent.”
Listen to the entire conversation with Stevermer on The PORK Podcast on YouTube or anywhere podcasts are found. She opens up about her year as president, reflects on her journey in the pork industry, offers tips on how to talk to legislators and shares advice for younger generations making their way in agriculture today.
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