Volume 22 | Issue 25

Chris Conser of Concord and Bill Prestage of Clinton have been selected for the Pork Leadership Institute’s class of 2023. The National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board select 19 pork producers each year to participate in the PLI program.

Chris is involved on the sow farm at his family farm, Porter Farms in Cabarrus County. Bill is part of the third generation to be involved in the family business. He is currently a finishing serviceman for Prestage Farms, Inc.

“PLI is vital to the success of pork producers because it develops knowledgeable industry ambassadors and future leaders,” said Bryan Humphreys, NPPC’s CEO. “Every pork producer should consider participating in PLI as graduates are able to tell the pork industry’s story from local communities to our nation’s capital.”

The comprehensive, year-long program consists of five sessions that include learning about the federal legislative and regulatory process, the importance of international trade, the roles of the national pork organizations and their state pork associations, and modern-day issues facing producers. They also go through comprehensive media and communications training to become effective grassroots advocates for the pork industry.

Congratulations to Chris and Bill!

Deadline approaching for NPPC scholarships

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship. The scholarship is sponsored by CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation and managed and administered by the National Pork Producers Council. 

Ten $2,500 scholarships are awarded annually to current college students who intend to pursue a career in the pork industry and who exhibit characteristics representative of future pork industry leaders.

All entries must be submitted by Jan. 3, 2023 to be accepted. Questions about the Lois Britt Scholarship should be directed to Craig Boelling, NPPC Vice President of Resource Development.

The Neil Dierks Scholarship is due Dec. 31, 2022.

One $5,000 scholarship is annually awarded to a student who intends to pursue a career in the pork industry with hopes that they may emerge as a future pork industry leader.

Please contact Janine Van Vark, NPPC Director of Outreach Marketing, with any questions about the Neil Dierks Scholarship.