On June 15, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed five members to the National Pork Board. Two of those appointees have pork production in Oklahoma.

Wathina Luthi, from Fargo, Okla., owns a 4,800 sow farrow-to-wean operation along with her husband and sons and markets over 100,000 hogs each year. The Luthi's also raise cattle and 960 acres of hay and wheat pasture.

Luthi has been active in Oklahoma Pork Council events for many years and is a frequent speaker to local civic organizations and school groups through the pork industry's Operation Main Street program. She was actually speaking about her pork operation to local groups and classrooms before OMS was a formal program. She has given over 15 speeches about her pork operation. In 2004, Luthi Farms, LLC, received the pork industry's National Environmental Stewardship Award.

"With her years of experience, Wathina has exceptional knowledge of pork production and the challenges facing the pork industry," said Roy Lee Lindsey, Jr., Oklahoma Pork Council executive director.  "Her knowledge will be an asset to the National Pork Board as they lead the industry's Checkoff funded programs."

"I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the National Pork Board," said Luthi.  "It is an honor for me, as a producer, to give back, promote and protect the swine industry which has provided our family so much."

Julie Maschhoff, of Carlyle, Ill., was also appointed to the board. She is co-owner of The Maschhoffs which has pork production in the Hydro and Hinton, Okla., areas as part of their 130,000 sow pork production system with additional locations in Iowa and Illinois. Maschhoff joined the family owned business in 1989 and serves as the vice president of public relations. She has traveled around the country as a speaker on agricultural issues including animal health and welfare, family business planning, environmental responsibility, and food safety.  

"I am excited to share with consumers the real facts about American pork production, and the commitment that we all have to producing safe and nutritious pork products," Maschhoff said.

Luthi and Maschhoff will serve three year terms on the National Pork Board beginning July 1. They were two of eight producers nominated to serve on the board by U.S. pork producers at the National Pork Industry Forum in March.