Successful Oklahoma Ag Day at the Capitol

On April 16th, the Oklahoma Pork Council joined the agricultural community at the State Capitol to celebrate Oklahoma Ag Day in grand fashion. This officially proclaimed special day was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the importance of agriculture in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Pork's double-booth in the 2nd floor Capitol Rotunda served as a popular hub for sharing charcuterie samples, distributing fun pork swag, and providing valuable industry information to legislators, staff, and the public. For the past few years, the Oklahoma Pork booth has been recognized as a standout booth of Oklahoma Ag Day. We are always looking for ways to make pork memorable so this year our board president Tom Layne suggested incorporating chicharrons into our pork offering. This unique pork addition was incredibly well-received and added an exciting talking point to our booth.

Plus, Oklahoma Pork representatives attending Oklahoma Ag Day had the opportunity to have several special meetings with individuals including Governor Kevin Stitt, House Ag Chairman Dell Kerbs in his office and Senate Ag Chairman Chris Kidd between votes.

We extend our gratitude to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry team for their leadership in hosting Oklahoma Ag Day at the Capitol!

Oklahoma Pork Ambassador Hits the Road with “Work in Pork" Message

Sophomore at Tulsa Community College and current Oklahoma Pork Council Ambassador, Molly Buckmaster, delivers her "Work In Pork" message to students in Woodward.

Oklahoma Pork Council's Spring 2024 Ambassador, Molly Buckmaster, has been on a mission to spread the word about the exciting opportunities in Oklahoma's pork industry. Since taking on the role earlier this spring, Molly has been traveling across the state engaging with FFA chapters and communities to share her passion for the pork industry.

With grant funding from the National Pork Board, the Oklahoma Pork team drafted a strategy to visit 10 FFA chapters across the state leading up to the May 7-8 Oklahoma FFA Convention. Molly created a presentation to educate students on the broad range of jobs available throughout pork production - regardless of their experience with pigs or educational goals.

Molly opens each presentation by discussing her background within the Oklahoma pork industry and talks about the specifics of how Oklahoma Pork serves the state. She then dives into the possible career opportunities available within pork. Molly then discusses the four steps of preparing students for success in internships, job shadowing and other career opportunities, and demonstrates how to build a proper resume. Molly ends each presentation by handing out Oklahoma Pork branded backpacks, hats, gift cards, squishy pigs and stickers.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to pour back into the community and the industry that built me into the person I am today and helped me find my place in life. I am excited to share with each FFA chapter the other side of the agricultural and pork industry,” Molly shared.

Our team thanks Molly for her service as this spring’s Oklahoma Pork Ambassador!

Pork Takes Center Stage at the Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Convention

Pork took the main stage of the 2024 Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spring Convention.

Oklahoma’s Conference for Dietetic and Nutrition Professionals was held April 11-12 in Bethany. 250 dietitians gathered from all around Oklahoma where speakers shared the importance of topics such as food labels, healthcare technologies, AI, diabetes and animal proteins.

The Oklahoma Pork Council took a strategic step by inviting Emily Krause, a registered dietitian from the National Pork Board, to speak at the conference. On Thursday, Emily shared the importance of the connection between animal proteins and exploring why we eat the foods we do. Emily’s presentation covered the factors influencing good food choices and consumer insights around purchasing meat, including pork. She discussed the nutritional value of meat and animal protein in a healthy, sustainable diet and the value it plays throughout the lifespan. She rounded out her conversation with a discussion on the role animal proteins play in positively impacting the environment. 

Emily serves as the director of nutrition, health and wellness initiatives at the National Pork Board. She manages healthcare professional relationships and educates healthcare professionals on pork nutrition and pork research. She also manages the Pork & Partners community where 1,500 healthcare professionals are currently seeking continuing education opportunities, events, recipes, and research. Click here to view recipes and learn how you can include pork in your diet.

Oklahoma Pork Industry Leaders Advocate in Washington, D.C.

Oklahoma's pork industry leaders Tom Layne of The HANOR Company, Cathy Vaughan of Smithfield Foods, and Cristina Carmona of Prestage Farms of Oklahoma, along with Oklahoma Pork Council Executive Director Kylee Deniz, returned to Oklahoma from the 2024 Spring Legislative Action Conference hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).

During the Washington, D.C. visit, Tom, Cathy, and Cristina met with various members of Congress and their staff including Congressman Frank D. Lucas, Senator Markwayne Mullin, and Senator James Lankford. They discussed a range of topics including the need for a Farm Bill, issues related to the TN visa process, and efforts to prepare for a foreign animal disease outbreak.

Oklahoma's representation in D.C. was truly a source of pride for our industry. Tom, Cathy, and Cristina dedicated time away from their home and farms to advocate for Oklahoma’s pork industry.

Pigs Bring People Together: An Inspiring Story

During the 2024 Oklahoma Youth Expo, a heartwarming event took place that highlighted the bond between pigs and people. The first-ever Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby brought together 8th-12th grade Oklahoma 4-H and FFA students from various backgrounds to showcase their hard work and dedication in raising pigs.

One of the standout moments during the Oklahoma Youth Expo was when Alex Brooks was named the 2024 Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby Grand Champion. In the fun video linked above, Alex, a resident of the Tipton Children's Home, shares her journey and how her pig project has impacted her life in ways she never imagined. She expresses gratitude for the opportunities that her pig project has provided and highlights the importance of her ag teacher, who has been a guiding light throughout her project.

But perhaps the most inspiring part of Alex’s story is the enthusiasm and passion as she talks about the bond she formed with her pig. We invite you to watch Alex’s video and hear her story firsthand. Pigs truly bring people together, and Alex’s story is a testament to the incredible impact pigs can have on our lives.

Celebrating Earth Month

For April, we are celebrating on how the pork industry cares for our planet. Oklahoma pig farmers have been environmental stewards for generations and this Earth Month, we are celebrating our commitment to a healthy planet knowing that it contributes to the delicious pork Oklahomans can feel good about.

Join us in celebrating Earth Month by supporting the Oklahoma pork industry and its dedication to sustainability!

Oklahoma State University Partners with U.S. Pork Center of Excellence

U.S. Pork Center of Excellence Executive Director Bill Winkelman and Oklahoma Pork Council's Kylee Deniz enjoyed talking all things pork during a recent visit to Oklahoma State University.

The Oklahoma Pork Council is excited about a recent partnership established between the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence (USPCE) and Oklahoma State University to continue connecting OSU Animal and Food Sciences degree seeking students with the pork industry.

Following a recent visit to Oklahoma by USPCE representatives Dr. Maynard Hogberg and Bill Winkelman, OSU Animal and Food Sciences Department has become a new USPCE university sponsor. This partnership focuses on talent development, education, and scholarship programs for the pork industry to help identify and train new and existing needs at all levels - including production, research, education and extension.

“The opportunity to work with the Oklahoma Pork Council and Oklahoma State University for undergraduate and postgraduate students is a great benefit for the youth and the industry in developing awareness and interest in career opportunities,” Winkelman said

In addition to fostering university partnerships, USPCE is dedicated to educating the next generation at the high school level with its exceptional curriculum offering, Destination Pork. Destination Pork is one of the great talent development tools and education programs to expose high school students to pork industry career opportunities. The curriculum is intended to fill the gap of instruction and enhance the curriculum of the standard classroom setting.

Oklahoma Pork is excited about the partnership with OSU and USPCE to continue attracting and retaining our workforce at all levels. We encourage you to share this resource with your local high school teachers, helping to inspire and educate future leaders in the pork industry.

Annual Sponsor Feature: Blue & Gold Sausage

Blue & Gold Sausage's Brett Ramsey served as the 2024 Oklahoma Youth Expo Swine Show announcer.

Family-owned and operated, Brett Ramsey and his brother Greg Ramsey are co-owners of Blue & Gold Sausage. They help more than 1,000 youth organizations raise money for trips, community projects, equipment, and many other programs by selling Blue & Gold branded products. Located in Jones, Oklahoma, this is the 54th year Blue & Gold has processed their renowned breakfast sausage. Blue & Gold is an important economic contributor across Oklahoma, and the company has consistently supported the Oklahoma Pork Council as an annual sponsor.

“We sponsor the Oklahoma Pork Council because of the value the pork industry in this state provides for our business. We are fortunate to have a high-quality supply of raw materials right here at home,” Brett shared. “The Oklahoma Pork Council gives us a place to advocate for Oklahoma agriculture that is not readily available in manufacturing or further processing circles. It is also an invaluable resource in terms of staying knowledgeable about important issues facing our friends in every corner of Oklahoma agriculture.”

Brett has also served on the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors for many years bringing forth incredible perspective and relationships within the agricultural education community. He also spent this past week volunteering at the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE). With FFA chapters making up 50 percent of Blue & Gold’s customer base and accounting for 70 percent of their annual sales, the Ramseys commit many hours to support those who support their business.

We are thankful for Blue & Gold's 2024 Annual Gold Sponsorship and their longstanding commitment to investing in the Oklahoma Pork Council! Click here to learn more about Blue & Gold Sausage!

First-Time Swine Exhibitors Shine at Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby

A unique collaboration among Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma Pork Council, the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE), and other advocates for 4-H and FFA youth provided a special opportunity for 8th-12th grade students interested in pork production. In its inaugural year, the Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby had 45 students from 32 Oklahoma counties participate in the program. These students received hands-on assistance over 5 months to properly care for their Oklahoma State University-raised barrows leading up to the Derby show.

On Monday, Derby participants had an exciting morning at OYE with their pigs including the official weigh-in, ultrasound scans (loin eye area, backfat, percent lean) and a written knowledge test. Later in that day, the students showcased their swine projects in the show ring.

Alex Brooks, a member of Tipton’s Children Home, emerged as the 2024 Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby live placings champion. The top five overall winners across all competition categories were announced at last night's OYE Scholarship Presentation including Sloane McIntire, Hunter Duke, Stephen Wickerd, Kensli Shaffer and Alex Brooks.

As an important leader of the Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby, Oklahoma Pork's Matti Carlile is incredibly proud to be a part of bringing such a special learning opportunity to youth interested in pigs but who might not otherwise have the means to do so. These students could be our future workforce, after all. Several of this year's participants have already asked what's next in their pork industry journey. We're considering a visit to an Oklahoma commercial sow farm so they can see firsthand the potential of working in pork.

Promoting Pork from Oklahoma Farms

Pruett’s Food, in collaboration with Made in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Pork Council, is encouraging Oklahoma City metro consumers to choose Prairie Fresh pork for their meals. Pruett’s is a southeastern chain grocery store with many locations in Oklahoma.

This strategic collaboration includes promoting pork through Pruett's in-store digital signage and outdoor digital billboards. The digital billboard in the photo above faces east and west on the heavily traveled NW Expressway, which this message is visible for approximately 7-8 seconds. Last year, the Seaboard Foods team thoughtfully developed and deployed this Made in Oklahoma Prairie Fresh pork campaign.

“This is a great way to draw consumer attention in a primary pork-producing state and promote a fantastic domestic and international marketing company such as Seaboard Foods,” shared Barbara Charlet, Made in Oklahoma Retail advocate.

The Oklahoma Pork team will be at several grocery stores around the Oklahoma City metro serving pork and sharing the story of Oklahoma farms and pork during next month's Made in Oklahoma Month.