Minnesota Pork Ambassador to be named Aug. 4 during Farmfest
Candidates for Minnesota Pork Ambassador, their parents and hometowns are listed by
county pork association at the end of this press release.
The 2010 Minnesota Pork Ambassador and the first and second runners-up will be selected Aug. 4 at Farmfest. These three young adults will represent the state’s 4,400 pork producing families at various educational and promotional functions throughout the year.
This is the second year that the Minnesota Pork Board will host the competition on the Farmfest grounds. The 15 pork ambassador candidates will be introduced and the winners announced at a special 1 p.m. program in the Forum Tent following Linder Farm Network’s Noontime Ag Jamboree. Program emcee will be farm broadcaster Lynn Ketelsen.
The judging takes place from Aug. 2-4 and the process will includes a personal interview, public presentation on a swine-related topic, written essay and group interaction. The public is encouraged to attend the ambassador candidates’ presentations from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Aug. 3, in the Minnesota Soybean/Minnesota Pork Tent (exhibitor #618).
The top placing individual earns a $1,500 scholarship, and first and second runners-up receive $750 and $500 scholarships, respectively. Judges also recognize the writer of the best essay with a $250 scholarship and the ambassadors will select a congeniality winner.
The Pork Ambassador program, funded through the Pork Checkoff and sponsored by the Minnesota Pork Board, strives to develop young pork industry and agricultural leaders. The candidates are first selected by their county pork association to serve as local pork ambassadors. During their term as county ambassadors, the Minnesota Pork Board provides participants opportunities to improve their leadership and communication skills and programs to expand their agricultural knowledge.
The 2010 Minnesota Pork Ambassador Candidates are:
Blue Earth County Pork Ambassador
Ryan Strobel, son of Greg and Robin Strobel of Pemberton
East Central Pork Ambassador (Counties of Pine, Isanti and Kanabec)
Kristi Stoltz, daughter of Steven and Lynn Stoltz of Isanti
Fillmore County Pork Ambassadors:
Aaron Gillespie, son of Jeff and Jackie Gillespie of Fountain
Morgan Mensink, daughter of David and Tracie Mensink of Preston
Le Sueur County Pork Ambassador:
Leah Sample, daughter of Mark and Teresa Sample of Le Sueur
Martin County Pork Ambassadors:
Nancy Faber, daughter of David and Dana Faber of Sherburn
Mary Faber, daughter of David and Dana Faber of Sherburn
Caleb Krusemark, son of Brad and Rochelle Krusemark of Trimont
Mower County Pork Ambassador:
James Roe, son of Rick and Jean Roe of LeRoy
Olmsted County Pork Ambassador:
Kevin Welter, son of Randy and Myrna Welter of Stewartville
Pipestone County Pork Ambassador:
Clayton Johnson, son of Curt and Diane Johnson of Jasper
Renville County Pork Ambassador:
Anna Marxen, daughter of Paul and Teresa Marxen of Bird Island
Scott County Pork Ambassador:
Matthew Hanson, son of Allen and Theresa Hanson of Jordan
Watonwan County Pork Ambassador:
Shelby Peterson, daughter of Rakki and Diane Peterson of Butterfield
Wright County Pork Ambassador:
David Berning, son of Mark and Julie Berning of St. Michael
PQA Plus and TQA certification programs for hog farmers and transporters July 28 in Melrose
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 on July 28 at the Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union in Melrose.
The PQA Plus training will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the TQA training will be from 1:30-4 p.m.
To assure adequate seating and materials, preregistration is strongly encouraged. To preregister, telephone the Minnesota Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675 or e-mail mnpork@mnpork.com. When preregistering, provide your name, address, telephone number and e-mail, if available.
PQA Plus is required as a condition of sale by nearly all hog buyer/packer 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 Plus and TQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675. Contact your hog buyer/packer for their specific PQA Plus certification, PQA Plus Site Status and TQA certification requirements.
PQA Plus and TQA trainings are hosted by the Minnesota Pork Board, Pork Checkoff and University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team. For additional training locations and dates go to www.mnpork.com.
