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.