The Voice of Pork Scholarship celebrates creative, forward-thinking students who are passionate about telling the story of pork and agriculture. Designed for students pursuing interests in communications, marketing, public relations, or education, this scholarship recognizes innovative minds. Recipients are future leaders, equipped to promote pork, connect with consumers, and elevate the industry’s brand through modern platforms like social media, video, and digital content.
Winners are selected by a committee of Minnesota pig farmers who are proud to invest in the next generation of pork advocates.
Meet the 2025 Voice of Pork recipients below!
Brielle Ruen
Brielle is a student at South Dakota State University majoring in Agricultural Communications. Raised on a wean-to-finish pig farm in Lanesboro, Minnesota, Brielle developed a passion for agriculture through her experiences in 4-H, FFA, and working closely with her family’s livestock operation. On campus, she is active in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Block and Bridle, and Swine Club. Brielle hopes to pursue a career in communications or public relations where she can bridge the gap between producers and the public, advocate for animal agriculture, and empower the next generation of ag leaders through outreach and education.
Mackenzie Moline
Mackenzie is a student at Minnesota State University, Mankato, studying marketing within the College of Business. A passionate advocate for agriculture, Mackenzie has been involved in both FFA and 4-H, where she developed a strong foundation in leadership, community service, and public outreach. Her experiences organizing educational events and agricultural programs have inspired a deep interest in marketing, public relations, and education, especially as they relate to the pork industry. After college, Mackenzie hopes to pursue a career that combines her love of agriculture with communication, helping consumers better understand how pork is produced and why it’s a part of a nutritious, sustainable food system.
Lilli Lewandowski
Lilli is a graduate student at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she is pursuing her Master of Business Administration. She earned her undergraduate degree in Public Relations with a minor in Agricultural Communication from Southwest Minnesota State University. Lilli currently serves as the Graduate Advisor for the Student Events Team and continues to intern with Christensen Farms. Her past experiences include leading communication campaigns, managing internal content and newsletters, and working in both corporate and international communication settings. Passionate about bridging the gap between agriculture and consumers, Lilli hopes to pursue a career in public relations or communications that helps tell the story of agriculture with clarity and purpose.
Looking ahead?
Applications for the 2026 Voice of Pork Scholarship will open in March 2026.
Click here to explore all Minnesota Pork scholarship opportunities!
