National Pork Industry Forum Registration Now Open
Producer delegates from across the United States will gather in Kansas City, March 4-6, 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.
This year’s annual meeting of the Pork Act delegate body will emphasize the new Checkoff vision, strategic plan and structure. As an organization that is Consumer Focused, Producer Led, the staff and budget will focus on two overarching goals, Build Trust and Add Value. 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 new, agile Checkoff is obtaining industry input throughout the year as part of its new annual planning process and focusing on fewer top priorities,” said David Newman, president of the National Pork Board and a pig farmer representing Arkansas. “Delegates will learn more about the results of this work to-date and provide future direction for staff, especially related to the priority to anticipate and proactively address risks and opportunities.”
At the meeting, Pork Act delegates will rank 10 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:
• Deborah Balance – North Carolina
• Ben Barcovtch – Pennsylvania
• Jeremy Burkett – Wyoming
• Todd Erickson – North Dakota
• Heather Hill – Indiana
• Larry Leipold – Minnesota
• Scott Phillips – Missouri
• Mike Salter – Wisconsin
• John Scanga – Colorado
• Alan Wulfekuhle – Iowa
Prior to the annual meeting, members of the National Pork Board also will convene their March board of directors meeting. The agenda will include reporting on outcomes within 2020 priorities so far, foreign animal disease prevention and preparation; We Care; International Marketing; sustainability; and human health and nutrition.
Included on the 2020 Pork Forum agenda will be opportunities for pork producers to become Pork Quality Assurance Plus certified, as well as learn more about other pork industry programs. To see the full agenda and register, visit www.porkindustryforum.com.
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