Last week, the Oklahoma Pork Council team enjoyed attending the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Annual Conference thanks to an invitation from the OVMA staff. The conference provided valuable time to connect with veterinary leaders who play a critical role in animal health, food safety, and the strength of Oklahoma agriculture.

During Friday’s awards luncheon, Oklahoma Pork Executive Director Kylee Deniz was surprised with OVMA’s Distinguished Service Award. The honor recognized her dedication to public education and advocacy, collaboration with the veterinary community, and support of State Fair Birthing Centers. The moment was made even more meaningful with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur serving as the emcee and presenting the award alongside OVMA Executive Director Dr. Rosemarie Strong. While Kylee accepted the award, it reflects the collective efforts of Team Pork and their shared commitment to serving Oklahoma’s pork producers and the broader agricultural community.

While at the conference, the Oklahoma Pork team also attended the Food Animal track session titled “Local Voices, Local Impact: A New Approach to Advocacy.” Oklahoma Animal Care Advocate Dr. Alexis Main delivered an insightful presentation highlighting her work engaging directly with Oklahomans on animal care and building public trust.

We are grateful to partner with OVMA and its members and congratulate the association on a successful annual conference! To learn more about OVMA and its mission as a community passionate about veterinary medicine, visit okvma.org.