Embracing Our Differences for Strength
My daughter recently reminded me of some advice I had given her growing up. As we recognize International Women’s Day and the contributions that women and other individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and mindsets have brought to our lives, it’s a fitting way to kick off my term as the new National Pork Producers Council president.
“Don’t be afraid to be the only person like yourself in the room.”
That’s the advice my daughter, Beth, played back to me as I headed to the National Pork Industry Forum in early March. That mindset prepared me for so many roles in my life and it has application for the future of the pork industry.
After leaving my family farm to take my first job, a sales role for Wayne Feeds, it was not uncommon to be the only female in the room, at a meeting or on a call. It was my passion for agriculture and professional skills that ultimately broke down any barriers. It’s why I feel so strongly about encouraging others to be confident in what they do and bring value to their roles and to celebrate all the unique qualities people offer.
But when it comes to attracting more individuals to agriculture, the odds are stacked against us. If all the kids who grew up on a farm pursued a role in agriculture, we still would not have enough people to run our farms or agribusinesses. That’s why we need to look beyond traditional candidates to find those who have an interest in agriculture and help foster that into a career. That could mean mentoring a 4-H participant or identifying someone who likes animals and may have grown up in a city to consider a career in agriculture. Let’s be a resource and open doors to what agriculture has to offer.
The pork industry has changed, both in its business structure and the makeup of its membership. One outcome from that is having more women involved in running our farms, being active on committees and industry boards and even leading state organizations. That diversity of perspectives is important as we think about the impact, we can all have when we promote pork production. Whether it’s serving on state associations, visiting with local country commissioners, or talking to a child’s class, it starts with finding a career you enjoy and sharing that passion.
A wider range of voices will also help in promoting our industry to an increasingly diverse audience. What is familiar to us may be new to an individual who has no connection to agriculture. I’ve had the privilege of speaking to audiences from the Minnesota State Fair to Grandma’s Marathon all the way to Capitol Hill. Each time, I work to uncover values we have in common. There are endless opportunities to speak up for our industry. Let’s embrace our individual differences to elevate how others perceive pork production.
The differences we all bring should be celebrated as a strength of our industry.
Lori Stevermer is a pork producer from Easton, Minn., and serves as president of the National Pork Producers Council.
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Remember You Will Get Better: Chris Norton Inspires Crowd at National Pork Industry Forum
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