The Pork Checkoff, Pioneer Hi-Bred and PIC have awarded 19 scholarships to college students around the United States as part of their strategy to develop the pork industry's human capital for the future.
"Helping to develop the next generation of pork professionals is one of the issues the Pork Checkoff identified as critical for the industry to address," said Gene Nemechek, president of the National Pork Board and a swine veterinarian from Springdale, Ark. "Our service and obligation to producers includes ensuring that there is a sustainable source of capable people ready to take on the industry's charge of producing a safe, wholesome food product in a socially responsible way."
The 19 student recipients hail from 13 universities and eight swine-related fields of study. The 2010-11 Pork Industry Scholarship recipients are:
|
Arkfeld, Emily |
University of Nebraska |
Dunbar, Neb. |
Animal Science |
|
De Jong, Jon |
South Dakota State University |
Orange City, Iowa |
Animal Science |
|
Eder, Jett |
Oklahoma State University |
Sharon Springs, Kan. |
Animal Science/ Pre-vet |
|
Goehring, Devin |
Kansas State University |
Lowell, Wis. |
Animal Science and Industry |
|
Hays, Linsey |
University of Central Missouri |
Monroe City, Mo. |
Animal Science |
|
Johnston, Justin |
University of Minnesota |
Morris, Minn. |
Animal Science |
|
Jordan, Sarah |
Purdue University |
Richmond, Ind. |
Agricultural Economics |
|
McAuliffe, McKenzie |
University of Nebraska |
Sterling, Neb. |
Animal Science/ Pre-vet |
|
Meyer, Kayla |
University of Illinois |
Hinckley, Ill. |
Agriculture Education |
|
Mohler, Erin |
University of Missouri |
Charlotte Hall, Md. |
Animal Science |
|
Oberbroeckling, Ryan |
Iowa State University |
Garnavillo, Iowa |
Agricultural Studies |
|
Phipps, Warner |
Cornell University |
Kearney, Neb. |
Development Sociology |
|
Samson, Anna Marie |
Montana State University |
Three Forks, Mont. |
Animal Science |
|
Shaffer, Lynsee |
Purdue University |
Albany, Ind. |
Ag Education |
|
Smith, Courtney |
Purdue University |
Michigantown, Ind. |
Ag Economics/ Animal Science minor |
|
Sparks, Joel |
Michigan State University |
Cassopolis, Mich. |
Animal Science |
|
Spronk, Ethan |
South Dakota State University |
Edgerton, Minn. |
Animal Science/ Pre-vet |
|
Spronk, Seth |
South Dakota State University |
Edgerton, Minn. |
Ag Engineering |
|
Weitekamp, Katie |
University of Illinois |
Farmersville, Ill. |
Animal Science |
The top candidate, Joel Sparks, will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and the runner-up candidate, Emily Arkfeld, will receive a $3,500 scholarship sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. The other 17 students selected will receive $2,000 each.
"A skilled workforce is essential for the competitiveness of this industry," Nemechek said. "We need young leaders to look at pork not just as a food choice, but as a career. This is a chance for the industry to encourage these young people to join a workforce that offers many perse opportunities. We have needs in production management, veterinary medicine, environmental management, food safety, genetic improvement, nutrition and much more.
"On behalf of the Pork Checkoff and its partners, the National Pork Board and the pork industry, we congratulate this year's Pork Industry Scholarship recipients," Nemechek said. "We look forward to welcoming them into our industry in the future."
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or go to at www.pork.org.
Pioneer Hi-Bred (www.pioneer.com), a DuPont business headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success(TM).
PIC is the international leader in providing genetically superior pig breeding stock. The company combines quantitative sciences with leading edge biotechnology to develop non-GMO breeding stock that is focused on meeting the needs of its customers. Operating for over 45 years, PIC's success is attributed to its significant investment in people, genetics, technology and health.
Source: The Pork Checkoff