Public Notice by the Oklahoma Pork Council and the National Pork Board

The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2023 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 5:15 p.m., Friday, August 05, 2022, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Pork Congress and Annual Meeting at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown, 1 N Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. All Oklahoma pork producers are invited to attend.

Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of Oklahoma and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. Nominations will be accepted from the floor.

For more information, contact the Oklahoma Pork Council, 901 N Lincoln Blvd Suite 380, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, telephone 888-729-7675 or 405-232-3781.

Oklahoma's Give-A-Ham Impact

On Giving Tuesday, Joe Popplewell of Seaboard Foods launched the 2021 Give-A-Ham Challenge with an incredible 10,000-pound pork product donation to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. 

Popplewell, who serves as president of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors, used this opportunity to showcase that giving back is a cornerstone of what pork producers do. He also spoke about the realities of hunger throughout Oklahoma. 

For the third year in a row, Governor Kevin Stitt has highlighted Oklahoma pork producers' charitable giving through his involvement in our annual Give-A-Ham campaign. In his video shared via social media on Wednesday, Governor Stitt accepted the challenge and announced he will donate his ham to a longtime foster care provider in Oklahoma City.

The Governor thanked our state's hog producers for their generosity, including a specific shout out to the Seaboard Foods donation further explained below, and he encouraged Oklahomans to donate a holiday ham within their own communities. Governor Stitt's Give-A-Ham video concluded with selection of State Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, Speaker of the State House Charles McCall and Pro Tem of the State Senate Greg Treat being tapped to participate.

In the third week of the challenge, we saw a snowball effect across industries and communities. Challenges have been accepted within government including Lieutenant Governor Pinnell and others. From our friends at OSU, Give-A-Ham involvement has gone through President Shrum, Dean Coon, Athletic Director Weiberg and more. OU President Joe Harroz participated in the challenge, too. We owe a big “thank you” to multiple business owners, pork producers and friends of the Oklahoma Pork Council who helped make the 2021 Give-A-Ham challenge a success.

Oklahoma Pork Council Donates ‘Pigology’ Children’s Book to Libraries Across Oklahoma

Oklahoma Pork Council Intern Tre Smith and Board of Directors Member Tom Layne donate a copy of "Pigology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia" to the Enid Public Library as part of the Pork Council's 77-county donation project for the book's release. Accepting on behalf of the Enid Public Library is Interim Library Director Theri Ray.

On December 10, as part of the holiday giving season, the Oklahoma Pork Council kicked off a donation of the book “Pigology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia” donations to a librarieslibrary in each ofall the 77 Oklahoma counties across Oklahoma.

The 72-page children’s book was written by London-based author Daisy Bird and serves as a fun and educational resource for anyone looking to learn more about pigs.

Oklahoma Pork Council intern Tré Smith served as one of four U.S. pork enthusiasts selected by Princeton Architectural Press, the book’s publishing company, to provide feedback before Pigology was finalized earlier this year. was

As a senior at Oklahoma State University studying agricultural communications, Smith said working with the Pigology production team was an opportunity he never thought he would have, but now he will never forget.

His own passion for reading and writing sparked as a child visiting his local public library in Sand Springs.one of four pork enthusiasts across the United States who had the opportunity to review and critique the book prior to publishing with Princeton Architectural Press Senior Editor Rob Shaeffer.

“I credit public libraries for enhancing my view on creativity and love for literature,” Smith said. “Reading allows young people to enhance their knowledge while also training them to become amazing writers.”

That childhood experience makes connecting with libraries in each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties to donate a book he helped refine even more special.

“We are thankful to the Oklahoma Pork Council for helping our libraries build literacy in our communities,” said Cherity Pennington, district communications and library services coordinator for Shawnee Public Schools.

Pennington serves as part of the Oklahoma Library Association, and she shared, “we at the Oklahoma Library Association know everyone in our state has a part to play in supporting Oklahoma children's love of reading.” said Cherity Pennington, district communications and library services coordinator.

Oklahoma readers can see Smith’s part on full display by viewing Pigology’s acknowledgments inside the front cover, where Smith is thanked with his co-reviewers for “invaluable feedback.”

“We are thankful to the Oklahoma Pork Council for helping our libraries build literacy in our communities.”

Smith said working with the production team for this book was an opportunity he never thought he would have, but now he will never forget.

Shaeffer said libraries are an important part of the publishing program at Princeton Architectural Press.

“We are honored to participate in this great endeavor with the Oklahoma Pork Council,” Shaeffer said.

Princeton Architectural Press has been a leading publisher for design, architecture, and visual culture books for nearly forty years. Recently, the press broadened its scope to introduce children’s books and stationery products.

“I credit public libraries for enhancing my view on creativity and love for literature,” Smith said. “Reading allows young people to enhance their knowledge while also training them to become amazing writers.”

Throughout the book, readers learn entertaining facts about pigs and pig farming. This book is a follow-up to “Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia,” and is the second of a series of books highlighting farm animal and the ways they contribute to our everyday lives.

The world of pigs comes to life through Daisy Bird’s playful and crafty words. Her sentences are emphasized and framed by Camilla Pintonato’s illustrations.

This week, Smith will travel to Enid and Texhoma for in-person book donations with members of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors.

A library within each county of the state has been selected to receive the book for free, including a special sticker inside the front cover sharing more about Smith’s involvement and the Oklahoma Pork Council.

To purchase your own copy of “the bookPigology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia”, contact the Oklahoma Pork Council office at 405-232-3781 or order from search “Pigology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia” on Amazon.

Oklahoma Pork Brings Lifetime Donation to Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to $175,000

Members of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors and Executive Director Kylee Deniz announce this year's $12,300 donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma's Pork for Packs, which brings Oklahoma Pork's lifetime donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Food for Backpacks Program to $175,000.

The Oklahoma Pork Council announced its annual donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Pork for Packs in the amount of $12,300, bringing the organization’s lifetime program contribution to $175,000.

"We are so proud to partner with the Oklahoma Pork Council,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “The Pork Council’s generosity over the past 15 years has been crucial to providing thousands of chronically hungry children with Oklahoma-grown protein through the Pork for Packs Program."

Pork for Packs utilizes donated hogs from Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members to create protein sticks for the Food for Kids Backpack Program for elementary students. This innovative program was started by the Regional Food Bank in 2003.

The program provides chronically hungry children with backpacks filled with non-perishable, nutritious, shelf-stable food including the protein sticks to sustain them over weekends and school holidays.

This year’s Oklahoma Pork Council donation will allow the Regional Food Bank to process and package more than 35,000 protein sticks.

“Oklahoma pig farmers give back in our communities across the state,” said Kylee Deniz, executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council. “With too many Oklahoma children at risk of going to bed hungry each night, the need is clear. Our farmers are proud to fight against food insecurity via the Regional Food Bank’s Pork for Packs, and we are grateful to every 4-H and FFA student who chooses to help us in this mission.”

Pork for Packs is a collaboration between the Oklahoma Pork Council, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Regional Food Bank and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

“We are excited to continue our partnership alongside the Oklahoma Pork Council in feeding hungry children across our state,” said David VonTungeln, OKFB Foundation for Agriculture president. “The success of Pork for Packs is reliant on those 4-H and FFA members providing their animals, and we could not be prouder of them willing to help those in need.”

Oklahoma is the fourth hungriest state in the nation. The majority of people served by the Regional Food Bank are chronically hungry children, seniors living on limited incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet.

For information about donating your show pig to next year’s Pork for Packs, contact the Oklahoma Pork Council.

Oklahoma Pork Launches Give-A-Ham Challenge on Giving Tuesday

(OKLAHOMA CITY) – On November 30, which is Giving Tuesday, Oklahoma Pork Council’s Give-A-Ham challenge launched with a 10,000-pound pork product donation from Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors President Joe Popplewell and his company, Seaboard Foods, to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. 

"With farms and a pork processing plant in the Oklahoma Panhandle, we have the opportunity to give back to our communities throughout the great state of Oklahoma,” said Peter Brown, Seaboard Foods president and CEO. “We’re honored in joining the Oklahoma Pork Council in the Give-A-Ham campaign for the holiday season by donating our Prairie Fresh pork products to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. We’re hopeful this delicious pork will bring nourishment, comfort and fellowship to those who need it most this holiday season.” 

Last year, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma in Tulsa distributed more than 32 million pounds of food throughout 24 counties. 

Jeff Marlow, chief culinary officer for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, said they understand hunger is a year-round concern, and Oklahoma has so many families facing food insecurity. 

“We want to express our sincere thanks to the Oklahoma Pork Council and Seaboard Foods,” Marlow said. “It brings reassurance when we see communities get behind projects like this. No one should go without food any time of year, but especially during the holidays. This campaign couldn’t come at a better time.” 

Popplewell said giving back is a cornerstone of what Oklahoma pig farmers do. They find ways to give back to communities with food, time, donations, and more year-round. The holiday season is no different. 

“Hunger is a reality one in six Oklahomans face every day,” Popplewell said. “That’s why Seaboard Foods is honored to launch the Oklahoma Pork Council’s 2021 Give-A-Ham challenge in a big way.” 

All twelve Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors will donate hams to their local communities and keep the generosity going by tapping friends and colleagues to accept the challenge. 

In addition to Seaboard Foods’ product donation, Popplewell also challenged Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to participate in the Give-A-Ham challenge, which will continue from today until Dec. 23. 

Share your pay it forward story on social media using #GiveAHam and #OklahomaPork, or by visiting okpork.org/giveaham to commit to giving this holiday season. 

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The Oklahoma Pork Council, a farmer-led organization, represents the interests of all Oklahoma pig farmers. Partially funded by federally collected checkoff dollars, okPORK promotes pork and pork products, funds research, and educates consumers and producers about the pork industry. For more information about this or any other programs of okPORK visit www.okpork.org or call 405.232.3781. 

Oklahoma Pork Council Announces Hire of Ashton Mese Johnston

The Oklahoma Pork Council is excited to announce the hire of Ashton Mese Johnston as the industry relations manager. Johnston previously served as the press secretary and policy associate for the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General. She started her position on Monday, Sept. 27.

"I am thrilled for this opportunity to join the dynamic team at the Oklahoma Pork Council,” Johnston said. “Despite countless barriers facing the agriculture industry each day, Kylee and the board have created a positive culture to solve problems and serve producers. This is meaningful work, and I look forward to helping however I can.".

Prior to working at the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General, Johnston spent time in Washington, D.C., where she worked for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture as a professional staff member and legislative assistant, and for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies as a congressional staff member. She started her career at the Office of the Oklahoma Governor in 2012.

Johnston grew up in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. She received her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and agribusiness from Oklahoma State University, where she graduated first in her class. She was also named Outstanding Senior during her time at OSU. She currently resides in Cashion with her husband, Dylan.

“On behalf of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors and staff, we are excited announce the hire of Ashton Mese Johnston as the Oklahoma Pork Council Industry Relations Manager,” said Kylee Deniz, executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council. “She brings an unmatched passion for agriculture and a wealth of experience to this position. We are excited to have Ashton join our team as we work to serve Oklahoma’s pork industry.”

The Oklahoma Pork Council Honors Four Excellence Award Recipients at Oklahoma Pork Congress

Click the photo to hear about John.

Click the photo to hear about Aaron & Carla.

Click the photo to hear about Tracy.

Click the photo to hear about Gary.

The Oklahoma Pork Council honored John Brown, Aaron and Carla Koerner, Tracy Sharry and Gary Todd with the Excellence Award during the 62nd annual Oklahoma Pork Congress at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.

The Excellence Award was created to recognize individuals in all areas of pork production for their exceptional commitment to doing their best every day. Excellence Award nominees come from any sector of pork production.

John Brown is the environmental systems manager for Smithfield Midwest Region Oklahoma.  He was nominated by Cathy Vaughan of Smithfield Foods.

 “John has been instrumental in creating great relationships not only with our state agencies,” Vaughan said. “But also with all our farmers and landowners in the areas of our farms.”

Aaron and Carla Koerner are contract growers for The Maschhoffs in Minco, Oklahoma. They were nominated by Thomas Craig, director of production for The Maschhoffs.

“What stands out most is just how much Aaron and Carla are still able to get done every day,” Craig said. “They have been a staple in the swine community in central Oklahoma, both show pig and commercial operations, and have helped mentor a neighboring production partner, and share their experiences and solutions with him as well.”

Tracy Sharry is a farm manager with The Maschhoffs and was also nominated by Craig.

Craig said, “Tracy has always pushed herself to be the best. She has been one of the top-producing managers in the Maschhoffs system throughout the past two decades, and she is always looking for continuous improvement.”

Lastly, Gary Todd is the owner of Todd Showpigs. He was nominated by Tim Guinn, owner and operator of Guinn Farms.

“Gary encourages the kids, helps create feed plans for each hog in the barn, clips pigs for the shows and even helps them haul their animals to and from the shows,” Guinn said. “He is one of the best hog breeders in Oklahoma.”

Kylee Deniz, executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council, said this was a competitive group of nominees.

“As an organization, we are always thrilled to recognize the hard work and dedication to our industry,” Deniz said. “We hope this is just the beginning of the impact these individuals will make in their companies and their communities.”

Sen. Kim David and Rep. John Pfeiffer Receive Outstanding Legislator Award

The Oklahoma Pork Council honored Senator Kim David and Representative John Pfeiffer with Outstanding Legislator Awards during the 62nd annual Oklahoma Pork Congress at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.

In 2010, the Oklahoma Pork Council established the Outstanding Legislator Award to honor members of the Oklahoma legislature for supporting Oklahoma’s pork industry. Since joining the Oklahoma Legislature, both David and Pfeiffer have continually stood behind the pork industry in support of pig farmers.

Senator Kim David represents Senate District 18, serving portions of Cherokee, Mayes, Muskogee, Tulsa and Wagoner Counties. She has served in many leadership roles during her tenure at the Capitol and had the distinction of becoming the first Republican woman to serve as Majority Whip.

Representative Pfeiffer is a fifth generation Logan County farmer and rancher, and Marine Corps veteran. He is the Representative for House District 38 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, in his fourth term and his third term as Deputy Floor Leader. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2009, after graduating from Mulhall-Orlando High School and attending Oklahoma State University.

Kylee Deniz, Oklahoma Pork Council executive director, said, “The Oklahoma Pork Council greatly appreciates the work of Sen. Kim David and Rep. John Pfeiffer in helping us protect the future of our industry.”

VQ-7 Roughnecks, Silvia Aguirre and Carolyn Blum Receive Oklahoma Pork Council Ambassador Award

The Oklahoma Pork Council honored the VQ-7 Roughnecks, Silvia Aguirre and Carolyn Blum with the 2021 Ambassador Award during the 62nd annual Oklahoma Pork Congress at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.

In 2006, the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors created the Ambassador Award to recognize individuals and businesses that have been constant supporters and promoters of our industry.

“The success of Oklahoma Pork Council’s sandwich sales would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the VQ-7 Roughnecks, Silvia Aguirre and Carolyn Blum,” said Dottie King, Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors President. “The Board of Directors are pleased to honor them with the 2021 Ambassador Award.”

VQ-7 members started supporting Oklahoma Pork Council efforts at the Oklahoma State Fair in 2014. VQ-7 supplied 100 volunteers over a 3-week period every September from 2014 through 2019.

Cali Wimett, VQ-7 spokesperson, said, “we want to thank the Oklahoma Pork Council for providing us the opportunity to volunteer for our community. The VQ-7 team is extremely thankful and look forward to anything we can still do with the Oklahoma Pork Council in the future.”

Additionally, Carolyn Blum and Silvia Aguirre have been longtime partners of the Oklahoma Pork Council sandwich sales, and are also recipients of the Ambassador Award.  

Lloyd Hawkins, Oklahoma Pork Council events and community outreach specialist, said, “Silvia is dedicated, loyal and a hard worker. She would also step up and take charge when needed. Her willingness to do anything and everything made her an invaluable asset for the Pork Chop Shop. Carolyn is a loyal and hardworking individual. She was very protective of the Oklahoma Pork Council brand at the Pork Chop Shop during the Tulsa State Fair, Oklahoma State Fair and the Oklahoma Youth Expo.”

Bread From Around the World

Bringing agriculture into the classroom can excite and impact young students and encourage them to learn more about agriculture, while also exposing them to a new set of opportunities.

Arleen James, an extension agent in Texas County, Oklahoma, contributed to this cause with the students of Hooker Public Schools. 

As one of the recipients of the Oklahoma Pork Council’s Ag in the Classroom grant, James created seven lessons targeting kindergarten through second graders. Her goal was to bridge the gap between farm and fork by serving up tasty dishes to numerous students. 

In a lesson showcasing wheat titled “Bread From Around the World,” students had the opportunity to make loaves of homemade bread. A walk-through of fresh vegetable samples in a farmers’ market were also brought to life in their classroom. The students even made cheese curds and cottage cheese! 

James created a memorable experience for these students, and she enjoyed every moment. 

“My favorite part of the project was the reaction of the students when I entered the classroom,” James said. “They were so excited to see me. 

I truly enjoyed doing each of the sessions with the students,” James said. 

She would not have been able to provide this opportunity to the students without the help from the Hooker 4-H and FFA members, James said.

“Other educators should apply for this grant because it gives [them] the [ability] to provide fun, educational opportunities that will be enjoyed by all who participate,” James said. “The funds provided by the Oklahoma Pork Council and the resources from the AG in the Classroom program allow you to provide quality education that is in compliance with Oklahoma Education standards.”