Ohioans win national pork industry scholarships

The Pork Checkoff has awarded 20 scholarships to college students around the United States as part of its strategy to develop the pork industry’s future human capital. A National Pork Board committee judged the pool of 48 applicants based on scholastic merit, leadership activities, involvement in the pork production industry and the applicants’ plans for a career in pork production. Ohio has four 2019 scholarship recipients.

“The Pork Checkoff is proud to support these young people who are showing a real interest in the pork industry as a career choice,” said Steve Rommereim, president of the National Pork Board and a producer from Alcester, South Dakota. “As our industry continues to evolve, we know we will need more qualified young people to take on the various roles in the pork chain. We must support this effort to help ensure the next generation of talent for our dynamic industry.”

The 20 student recipients hail from 10 states and 11 universities across the U.S. The 2019 Pork Industry Scholarship recipients from Ohio are: Lucas Buehler, Botkins, Ohio State University; Owen Michael, Sidney, Kansas State University; Mikayla Shanks, McClure, Ohio State University; and Ariel Taylor, Medina, Ohio State University. Each of the Ohio students plans on majoring in animal science.

“Recruiting the next generation of thought leaders and decision makers for the swine industry is critical to making continual improvement in how we raise pigs” said Chris Hostetler, Director of Animal Science for the National Pork Board. “The Pork Industry Scholarship program supports students that have made a commitment to the swine industry to pursue advanced degrees in areas of study directly related to pork production.”

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotionand 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.