Livestock and agriculturl workforce development conference set
The fourth annual Workforce Development Conference is planned for Sept. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Country Inn & Suites, Mankato. Conference speakers will provide suggestions for creating a positive livestock facility environment that encourages farm productivity, improves employee job satisfaction, and enhances the pork industry’s reputation.
Sponsored by the Minnesota Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff, Workforce Development Conference seminars will demonstrate and address how family member, employer or manager behavioral expectations, business values and policies influence worker attitudes, workplace conduct and overall barn dynamics.
Although conference seminars are geared towards pork producers, the presentations will provide beneficial information for anyone involved in livestock production and agriculture.
Conference registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and seminars are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration for this conference is encouraged, although at-the-door registration will be accepted if space is available. The pre-registration fee is $30 per person, if paid by Sept. 15. Registration at the door will be $50. Registration includes materials, lunch and refreshments.
Conference speakers are nationally recognized business experts and workforce motivators who understand the unique challenges facing those with livestock production and agricultural careers.
For registration information and seminar details go to www.mnpork.com/producers/index.php or contact Trudy Wastweet, Minnesota Pork Board, 1-800-537-7675 or trudy@mnpork.com.
County Pork Ambassadors take part in state competition
Jason Welter of Stewartville will serve as the new Minnesota Pork Ambassador. Judges selected Welter from a field of 10 county pork ambassadors last week during competition held in conjunction with the agricultural event, Farmfest. Welter represented the Olmsted County Pork Producers Association.
First runner-up was Nicollet County Pork Ambassador David Hayes of Lafayette and second runner-up was Le Sueur County Pork Ambassador Amber Besch of Lonsdale.
Sara Compart, the daughter of Chris and Rochelle Compart of Nicollet, receives $250 for her winning essay, Picking Perfect Pork. Compart’s essay provides consumer with instructions on how to make retail pork purchases. The pork ambassador candidates selected Danielle Storm, the daughter of Jacob and LuAnn Storm of Dover, for congeniality honors.
Welter, Hayes and Besch will represent the state’s 4,400 pork producing families at various functions throughout their term as pork ambassadors, including consumer and producer educational events, and promotional activities that encourage pork consumption and public understanding of swine production. They will also have opportunities to enhance their understanding of the U.S. pork industry, and to expand their leadership and communication skills.
Welter attends South Central College in North Mankato where he is an agricultural and swine production major. He plans to return to the home farm after graduation. In high school, he took part in FFA, 4-H and National Honor Society. As Minnesota Pork Ambassador, Welter receives a $1,500 scholarship from the Minnesota Pork Board. He is the son of Randy and Myrna Welter.
First runner-up, David Hayes, is a student at the University of Minnesota and represented the Nicollet County Pork Producers Association. As first runner-up, he receives a $750 scholarship. His parents are Tom and Patti Hayes.
Second runner-up, Amber Besch, will graduate from the University of Minnesota next year with a degree in agricultural education. She receives a $500 scholarship. Her parents are Richard and Jennifer Tollerud. Besch represented the Le Sueur County Pork Producers Association.
Sara Compart, the daughter of Chris and Rochelle Compart of Nicollet, receives $250 for her winning essay, Picking Perfect Pork. Compart’s essay provides consumer with instructions on how to make retail pork purchases. The pork ambassador candidates selected Danielle Storm, the daughter of Jacob and LuAnn Storm of Dover, for congeniality honors.
The Minnesota Pork Ambassador program, funded through the mandatory Pork Checkoff and sponsored by the Minnesota Pork Board, strives to develop young pork industry leaders. The competition previously took place in January at Minnesota Pork Congress.
Others county pork ambassadors who took part in the competition were: East Central Pork Ambassador Jennifer Anderson, daughter of Paul and Christine Anderson of Stanchfield; Fillmore County Pork Ambassador Morgan Mensink, daughter of Dave and Tracie Mensink of Preston; Martin County Pork Ambassador Kristeena Patsche, daughter of Charles and Wanda Patsche of Welcome; Mower County Pork Ambassador James Roe, son of Rick and Jean Roe of LeRoy; Nicollet County Pork Ambassador Sara Compart, daughter of Chris and Rochelle Compart of Nicollet; Olmsted County Pork Ambassador Danielle Storm, daughter of Jake and LuAnn Storm of Dover; and Scott County Pork Ambassador Steve Breeggeman, son of Steve and Lynn Breeggemann of Shakopee.
Pork producers and livestock transporters can earn their individual certifications for Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) at free evening trainings in Windom.
The PQA Plus training will be on Aug. 25 from 6-8 p.m. and the TQA training will be on Sept. 1 from 6-9 p.m. Both trainings will be at the Community Center, 1750 Cottonwood Lake Drive, Windom.
To assure adequate seating and materials, pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, telephone the Minnesota Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675 or email colleen@mnpork.com. When pre-registering, provide your name, address, telephone number and email, if available.
PQA Plus is required as a condition of sale by nearly all packers for those individuals who provide daily care of pigs, such as owners, managers and employees. The PQA Plus training also describes the site assessment process and how to achieve PQA Plus Site Status. The minimum age for PQA Plus certification eligibility is 14.
TQA training is also a common hog packer requirement for the drivers delivering hogs to the plant and for on-farm animal handlers.
Pork producers can check their PQA and TQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675. Check with your hog packer for their specific requirements of PQA Plus certification, PQA Plus Site Status and TQA certification.
PQA Plus and TQA trainings are hosted by the Minnesota Pork Board and University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team. For additional training locations and dates go to www.mnpork.com.
PQA Plus and TQA training offered in Waseca for southern Minnesota pork producers
Pork producers and livestock transporters can earn their individual certifications for Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) at free trainings in Waseca.
The PQA Plus and TQA trainings will be on Aug. 27, Sept. 24 and Oct. 22 at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca. The center is located west of Waseca on U.S. Highway 14 and south on County Road 57. The PQA Plus trainings will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the TQA trainings will be from 1:30-4:30 p.m.
To assure adequate seating and materials, pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, telephone the Minnesota Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675 or email colleen@mnpork.com. When pre-registering, provide your name, address, telephone number and email, if available.
PQA Plus is required as a condition of sale by nearly all packers for those individuals who provide daily care of pigs, such as owners, managers and employees. The PQA Plus training also describes the site assessment process and how to achieve PQA Plus Site Status. The minimum age for PQA Plus certification eligibility is 14.
TQA training is also a common hog packer requirement for the drivers delivering hogs to the plant and for on-farm animal handlers.
Pork producers can check their PQA and TQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675. Check with your hog packer for their specific requirements of PQA Plus certification, PQA Plus Site Status and TQA certification.
PQA Plus and TQA trainings are hosted by the Minnesota Pork Board and University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team. For additional training locations and dates go to www.mnpork.com.
PQA Plus and TQA training offered in Rochester for southeastern Minnesota pork producers
Pork producers and livestock transporters can earn their individual certifications for Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) at free trainings in Rochester.
PQA Plus and TQA trainings will be on Sept. 14 at the Heinz Center, located on the University Center Campus, 1926 College View Road Southeast, Rochester. The PQA Plus training will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the TQA training will be from 1:30-4:30 p.m.
To assure adequate seating and materials, pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, telephone the Minnesota Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675 or email colleen@mnpork.com. When pre-registering, provide your name, address, telephone number and email, if available.
PQA Plus is required as a condition of sale by nearly all packers for those individuals who provide daily care of pigs, such as owners, managers and employees. The PQA Plus training also describes the site assessment process and how to achieve PQA Plus Site Status. The minimum age for PQA Plus certification eligibility is 14.
TQA training is also a common hog packer requirement for the drivers delivering hogs to the plant and for on-farm animal handlers.
Pork producers can check their PQA and TQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675. Check with your hog packer for their specific requirements of PQA Plus certification, PQA Plus Site Status and TQA certification.
PQA Plus and TQA trainings are hosted by the Minnesota Pork Board and University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team. For additional training locations and dates go to www.mnpork.com.
