Hello pork producers and friends of the pork industry! My name is Braden Burns, and I am honored to start as an intern at the Oklahoma Pork Council. I just finished my sophomore year at Oklahoma State University, pursuing a degree in Agribusiness. Growing up in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, I was actively involved in FFA. Judging and showing livestock as well as prepared public speaking were among my favorite competitive events within the organization. In FFA, I became educated and passionate about protecting producers from industry threats.
I am looking forward to feeding my passion and working with people who share this passion at the Oklahoma Pork Council. Each time I drive past a wheat field full of stocker calves or walk past the fully stocked meat counter with tasty bacon and pork chops at the grocery store, I am reminded of how much careful work, countless dollars, and tireless effort goes into ensuring Americans have the safest and most affordable food supply in the world. As a proud American, and rural Oklahoma native, I want to be certain this is always true.
Oklahoma Pork advertised an attractive summer internship focused on serving members in all four strategic intention areas of the organization: workforce at all levels, FAD preparedness, freedom to operate, and image enhancement. As I researched the position, I also saw Oklahoma Pork boasts a team of highly qualified and passionate staff members who are eager to serve pork producers by being led straight from our state’s pig farms. I am excited to feed off their mentorship as we embark upon a summer of eye-opening experiences, providing new insight into the pork industry. I am most enthusiastic to meet the strong network of producers and supporters who care endlessly for the future of pork production as we continue to be one of the largest enterprises in the great state of Oklahoma!
I want to thank each of you for your support of the Oklahoma Pork Council and allowing opportunities, like this internship, for young people to pursue careers in agriculture. To learn a little more about Oklahoma Pork's internship experience, click here.
- Braden Burns, Oklahoma Pork Summer 2023 Outreach Intern