DES MOINES, IOWA – Delegates from across the United States will gather in Indianapolis, March 3-5 for the annual National Pork Industry Forum.
The 15 producers who serve as members of the National Pork Board and Pork Checkoff staff leadership will hear directly from the forum delegates appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Each year the Pork Act Delegates confer, vote on resolutions and advisements and provide valuable direction on the important issues facing pork producers and the industry.
The theme for the annual pork forum – Inspiration Starts Here – is in reference to the passionate pork producers, savvy retailers and creative cooks who are all ready to share pork’s story of inspiration who have helped fuel the incredible demand that has been seen domestically and internationally for U.S. pork.
“As we continue our work on the 2020 strategic plan that is centered on the goals of building consumer trust, driving sustainable production and growing consumer demand, our work at Pork Forum has never been more important,” said Derrick Sleezer, president of the National Pork Board and a producer from Cherokee, Iowa. “Pork producers, processors, food service and retail leaders will need to work together to focus on elevating pork as the global protein of source by continuously and cooperatively working to do what’s right for people, pigs and the planet.”
In advance of the annual meeting, members of the National Pork Board also will convene their March board meeting. The agenda for that meeting will include updates on 2016 plans to enhance pork demand, increase market opportunities, improve pork production practices and invest in research priorities.
Included on the 2016 Pork Forum agenda will be opportunities for pork producers to become trained in the pork industry’s Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) certification process, as well as learn more about pork industry programs.
The full agenda is available at www.porkindustryforum.com. As the event draws near, the website will be updated with current information and links to the Pork Forum manual and videos of candidates nominated for industry positions.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, science and technology, swine health, pork safety and sustainability and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check the Internet at www.pork.org.
Source: The National Pork Board