The Oklahoma Pork Council is now accepting applications for the 2024 Pork Industry Group at Oklahoma State University.
Pork Industry Group is an eight-week learning experience for Ferguson College of Agriculture students who want to better understand Oklahoma’s swine industry and expand their network of agricultural professionals in the state. Students will grow their knowledge of commercial pork production, diverse career opportunities, agricultural advocacy, professionalism and more.
Each weekly session will also include a free dinner, door prizes and helpful advice from industry experts. The group will hear from dynamic speakers with a variety of pork-related careers and take part in an exciting two-day trip to visit a commercial sow operation and a large-scale pork processing plant.
Pork Industry Group will culminate with a final banquet at which students will present their ideas to help solve a current issue faced by Oklahoma’s swine industry to members of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors. Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding participants.
All Ferguson College of Agriculture students with an interest in pork production are eligible to apply, regardless of academic major or grade level. Interested students must submit their online applications via this form, then also submit their resumes and recommendation letters via email by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024.
Students who are selected to participate in the experience must commit to attending all six on-campus Tuesday night learning sessions in October and November from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m., the two-day industry trip to Northwest Oklahoma on November 14-15, and the final banquet on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Full Pork Industry Group Schedule for 2024:
Application Deadline: Friday, September 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Selected Participants Announced by: Friday, September 27
Session One: Tuesday, October 8, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Two: Tuesday, October 15, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Three: Tuesday, October 22, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Four: Tuesday, October 29, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Five: Tuesday, November 5, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Six: Industry Trip – Thursday, Nov.14, through Friday, Nov. 15
Session Seven: Tuesday, November 19, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Eight: Final Banquet, Tuesday, December 3, in Stillwater
In addition to submitting this online form, you must email a resume and one letter of recommendation via email to Ashton Mese Johnston from the Oklahoma Pork Council at ajohnston@okpork.org by September 13, 2024, to be eligible for this opportunity. You can also contact Ashton with questions by sending an email or calling the Oklahoma Pork Council at 405-232-3781.