As one of eleven participants in the inaugural class of Activate: Minnesota Pork Leadership Cohort, Brad Kluver is focused on strengthening his leadership and communication skills while investing in the future of pig farming. Growing up on his family’s pig farm and now balancing farming with a career in swine nutrition, Brad joined Activate to build connections, broaden his perspective, and become a more effective advocate for agriculture. Through the program, he hopes to continue growing as a leader and help ensure a strong future for the next generation of pig farmers.
How did you get started in the pork industry?
I grew up on a hog farm that was 120 sow farm with indoor and outdoor production. While growing up, I was able to witness the transformation on our farm from those sows to putting up our first finishing barn and buying into a sow coop. I spent a few years away from the farm as a teacher, but ultimately found myself back as a partner on the farm while working at a local coop in swine nutrition.
What sparked your interest in applying to Activate?
Activate exemplified the type of program that is investing in the future of the pork industry, and the benefits extend beyond just my own gain. Activate aims to help build networks and give those a part of it a stronger skillset to be able to more effectively communicate and advocate, both within our industry and on behalf of the pork industry.
What excites you about the future of the pork industry?
Having three young children, I love getting the chance to share my passion and love for the pork industry and for raising pigs with them. Today, there are some significant hurdles producers face, and will continue to face, when it comes to sustainability. The best way I see to overcome that is to continue to lean in to investing in ourselves and our industry. I hope to leave my own farm and the industry at a better point than it is today, in the hopes that if any of my kids want to farm and raise pigs, they can. Being surrounded by leaders like those in Activate gives me hope that we’ll continue to find ways to involve and engage with more members of our industry, and that those folks will be more effective at advocating for a better future.
What do you hope to learn or gain through Activate?
I hope to gain a broader understanding and appreciation for all the different types of operations and farms in the industry, and for the countless people involved in various types of roles on those farms. I especially hope to continue to hone my communication skills, both in smaller, informal settings and in larger public speaking type venues. I want to be more effective and direct in my approach and messaging in the hopes that what I say will carry more value to more people.
What is your favorite pork product/dish?
Smoking a pork shoulder on my Green Egg. Leftovers make for so many great secondary options after the pulled pork!
Click here to learn more about the Activate: Minnesota Pork Leadership Cohort and how it’s developing the next generation of pig farming leaders.
