Today’s average consumer is three generations removed from the farm, meaning that they have very little if any connection to the family farm. This fact is something that those of us in the agriculture industry are well aware of, however, it is what we do with this information that matters.
Due to the consumer being so far removed from agriculture, their information regarding the agricultural industry comes mainly from external sources. Information about the pork industry is no exception. One of the goals of the Minnesota Pork Ambassadors is to properly inform our consumers.
As Minnesota Pork Ambassador it is my duty to show consumers our side of the pork industry, as well as educate consumers about the importance of pork in their daily lives. As part of this effort, I have been working with television, radio, and community newspapers to educate consumers about the pork industry.
Pork’s new slogan, Pork: Be Inspired, is easily relatable to the consumers in the world of recipes. Helping consumers understand that pork is a nutritious choice that can easily be added to their meal plans helps them to appreciate the value of pork. Promoting simple pork recipes and reminding those around us how to properly prepare pork helps to inspire them to incorporate pork products in new ways.
However, pork reaches far beyond the dinner plate into our daily lives through medical applications and bi-products. By showing the consumer that everyday products such as makeup, insulin (for diabetics), hairbrushes, leather, and numerous other items come from the same source as their pork, they begin to realize the importance of the pork industry in their lives.
Simply telling consumers that pork is good for them is not enough. We must also show consumers that we care for our hogs by providing them with top notch care, nutritious and well-balanced diets, and comfortable living conditions. Sharing our story about hog farming operations helps us reach out to consumers in a positive way.
It is not only my responsibility, but rather the responsibility of all pork producers, to stand up and share our story. Although it is my goal to utilize media sources to share my story, I challenge all pork producers to share their stories. It can be as simple as starting a conversation in the grocery store or being featured in a local newspaper. Pork: Be Inspired.
Enhancing Communication Piece by Piece Toward Our Future
By Ryan Strobel, Minnesota Pork Ambassador, First Runner-up
One of the opportunities I have had while serving as pork ambassador was to attend the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Conference. AFA, which is based in Kansas City, Missouri, is geared towards college age agriculture students who want to further their personal and professional skills.
The four day conference splits 500 students from across the nation into three different tracks depending on their year in school and leadership experience. As a sophomore studying veterinary medicine at the University of Minnesota, I was in track two, which focused on communication and speaking skills.
The conference opened with motivational speakers to get attendees excited for the conference and it worked!
Listening to Captain Charlie Plum tell us about his experiences, spending several years as a Prisoner of War during Vietnam and then returning to America, was inspiring. Throughout the conference we were able to learn about the most effective use of social media, ethics and experience an outstanding opportunity fair. The pieces that I found to be most beneficial were our discussions on body language and financial well-being. We also attended etiquette dinners and an awards banquet where we had the opportunity to network with other conference attendees.
AFA’s theme this year was “My Piece, My Place, Our Future.” This theme served as a guide for the entire conference. It made it clear that each of us has a role in agriculture. No matter how different we may be, we have to operate as one unit to be successful in changing the world. We must tell our story so that more people have a connection to agriculture. In order to do this we must support each other first.
The most beneficial part of the AFA Conference was all the new contacts I made in the agriculture industry from across the entire country. I was able to meet and establish relationships with other students and professionals from all aspects of agriculture that I intend to maintain throughout my lifetime. The AFA conference was extremely beneficial for me and I will never forget everything I learned.
Minnesota State Fair: A Great Opportunity To Promote Pork
By Natalie Johnston, Minnesota Pork Ambassador, Second Runner-up
As a pork ambassador my job is not only to network with other pork producers and people within the industry, but also to promote pork and advocate for the pork industry to the general public. Each generation of our society continues to become further and further removed from agriculture. Therefore, what better place to educate about pork than “The Great Minnesota Get Together?”
The Minnesota State Fair is a prime location to educate people of all ages about the swine industry. Being the Minnesota Pork Ambassador 2nd Runner-Up, I had the pleasure of working at the pork promotion booth and the oink booth at the Minnesota State Fair. I was able to talk to and educate many people about proper cooking temperatures of pork, answer questions about the pigs in the barn and hand out many educational items such as pork recipes, brochures and flyers.
I also helped in the show ring by handing out ribbons during the 4-H and FFA hog shows. Seeing how many kids are involved in the hog industry and how dedicated they are to doing their best, shows me that there are others that are willing to help me promote the hog industry as well. Working in the show ring helped me meet many new and upcoming advocates for the swine industry. Interacting with all of the outstanding members of the pork industry has shown me that not only do my fellow pork ambassadors and I care about the pork industry, but these members are also going to help promote it in any way that they can.
Another opportunity my fellow ambassadors and I were fortunate to partake in was the purebred pork producer social. We served a Famous Dave’s Pork Dinner to the pork producers of Minnesota. This was a great opportunity for us to meet the producers and later network with them. It is important to make these connections within the industry so that we can work together to keep the industry moving forward.
The Minnesota State Fair is a great place to connect with and educate fairgoers from all parts of the state and from different backgrounds about pork. Many people may think of the Minnesota State Fair as entertainment, any possible food on a stick or thousands of busy fairgoers, but it can be so much more than that; an opportunity for the swine industry to be made known.
Today’s average consumer is three generations removed from the farm, meaning that they have very little if any connection to the family farm. This fact is something that those of us in the agriculture industry are well aware of, however, it is what we do with this information that matters. 
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