The annual National Pork Industry Forum is March 1-3 in Atlanta. The 15 producers who serve as members of the National Pork Board and Pork Checkoff staff leadership will hear directly from Pork Act Delegates appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Each year the delegates confer, vote on resolutions and advisements and provide valuable direction on the important issues facing pork producers and the industry.

The theme for this year’s Pork Forum, Power of Pork: Moving Mountains, references the current record-breaking U.S. pork production and pork producers’ continued work together to meet the challenges and opportunities of a growing industry. Delegates will learn about the aggressive promotions to grow consumer demand and plans to build consumer trust and drive sustainable production.

“While our industry is growing, so is demand for our product – both domestically and internationally,” said Jan Archer, president of the National Pork Board and a pig farmer from Goldsboro, North Carolina. “With faith and focus, resolve and connectedness to each other, we can achieve our goals and move mountains.”

At the meeting, Pork Act Delegates will rank eight candidates for the National Pork Board and submit the list to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, for approval. The candidates, in alphabetical order:
-Todd Erickson – Northwood, North Dakota
-M. James Faison – Hopewell, Virginia
-Heather Hill – Greenfield, Indiana
-Brett Kaysen – Nunn, Colorado
-Scott Phillips – Drexel, Missouri
-Steve Rommereim – Alcester, South Dakota
-Kristine Scheller-Stewart – Goldsboro, North Carolina
-Charles Wildman – South Charleston, Ohio

Prior to the annual meeting, members of the National Pork Board also will convene their March meeting. The agenda will include updates on 2017 plans to enhance pork demand, increase market opportunities, improve pork production practices and invest in research priorities.

Included on the 2017 Pork Forum agenda will be opportunities for pork producers to become certified in the pork industry’s Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) program, as well as learn more about pork industry programs. The full agenda is available at http://www.porkindustryforum.com.

Source: Pork Checkoff