Recruiting Pork Producers of Tomorrow at National FFA Convention

 Exploring careers in agriculture is a big part of the National FFA convention. Last week in Louisville, the pork industry focused on getting more young people to consider a career in pork. The National Pork Board was at the FFA career show hoping to interest young people in considering a career in livestock, specifically pork. Bryn Jensson, Pork Checkoff Director of Marketing, says one way to attract FFA members is with internships and scholarships, “We have over $1 million in scholarships for young people interested in a career in the pork industry.” The Pork Board as well as other swine and breed organizations are providing internships in a variety of areas in livestock production. “This is a one stop shop for all the opportunities and scholarships in the pork industry, so we have made it easy for the young people to find the information they are looking for,” said Jensson. It is also a resource that many parents will value.

Jensson says, by providing financial aid, they are hoping to recruit and educate the pork industry employees of tomorrow, “We want to show them that there are the funds available for them to go and get those professional degrees or just take some classes to improve their chances of success.”

She stressed, however, that working in the livestock industry is not just raising pigs back on the farm, “We are looking for accountants, graphic designers, human resource specialists, even chefs.”  She added there are many opportunities to be involved in the livestock industry besides working on the farm.