The National Pork Board will be in Raleigh, N.C., Feb. 3-5 to meet with local producers and to develop a better understanding of the nation's second-largest pork producing state.

In addition to its regular business meeting, the 15 members of the National Pork Board will tour the Tar Heel packing plant, visit Sampson College, which has developed a number of innovative educational programs for pork producers, meet with directors of the North Carolina Pork Producers Council and have a round-table discussion with a number of North Carolina producers.

During its meeting, the board is expected to select a consultant to help the board conduct a long-term strategic visioning process. In 2010, the National Pork Board will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Pork Checkoff.

"Obviously, there have been a lot of changes in the way we produce pigs now than we did in 1985," said Steve Weaver, a producer from Elk Grove, Calif., and president of the National Pork Board. "It makes sense to take a long look at how our organization is structured and how we can best serve pork producers now and for the next 25 years." Weaver said the evaluation process will take at least six months and that board members plan to use the results as they plan for 2010 and beyond.

Board members also will make final plans for the annual Pork Industry Forum, scheduled for March 5-7 in Dallas, Tex.; discuss an industry and organizational vulnerability assessment now under way; view the results of the 2008 producer survey and review a proposal for additional research on euthanasia practices.

The board's meetings are open to the public. Those wishing to attend are asked to contact Lorraine Garner at [email protected] or 515-223-2600.