Thanking Our Two Incredible Summer Interns

Kate Jackson from Mountain View and Braden Burns from Kingfisher spent the past 12 weeks serving Oklahoma's pork producers as valued members of the Oklahoma Pork Council staff.

Mid-August closed a helpful and fun chapter for the Oklahoma Pork Council as our 2023 summer interns completed their experiences. They are both headed back to Oklahoma State University (OSU) where they will continue working toward their bachelor degrees in agriculture.

Kate Jackson, who served as Oklahoma Pork's communications intern this summer, will graduate in May with her Agricultural Communications degree. Kate was extremely helpful on a variety of projects, including: photography, award video development, show pig student education, and event planning. Kate shared her biggest takeaways were how important Oklahoma Pork's service is to the success of our producers, how rewarding it is to be on a supportive and successful team, and how significant the role of pork production is to the state of Oklahoma.

As a thank you to our board and members, Kate wanted to share this message: “I had the most wonderful internship experience ever! I am beyond thankful to have worked with the Oklahoma Pork Council this summer. My passion for pork continues to grow by the wonderful people I have met in this industry.”

Braden Burns, who served as Oklahoma Pork's outreach intern this summer, begins his junior year at OSU next week where he studies Agribusiness. Braden contributed to many successful projects the past 12 weeks, including: managing community donation requests, preparing for the Oklahoma Pork Congress, and leading several interactive events for 4-H and FFA audiences. Braden said his most important takeaways of the summer were better understanding how our state's pork industry works throughout the supply chain, seeing the true value of agricultural producer organizations, and expanding his network of agricultural role models and resources.

When asked what he would like to share with our board and members on his last day, Braden said: "This was an amazing summer becoming engulfed in all things pork! I have never been so proud to be from Oklahoma and get to be a small part in a great industry that reaches people across the world!"

To both these talented students, we share a heartfelt thank you for their hard work! We are proud of their service and their professional growth in three short months. Our team will miss having Braden and Kate with us every day, but we look forward to future opportunities to work with them both as they continue their successful agricultural career paths!

Incredible Leadership in Outgoing Board President

August 4th marked Oklahoma Pork's favorite day of the year as 100 industry leaders and supporters came together for the annual Oklahoma Pork Congress in Oklahoma City. When the Oklahoma Pork team recaps the bests of the 2023 Oklahoma Pork Congress, the list undoubtedly begins with our organization's leadership.

We owe a sincere thank you to our outgoing board president Angie Johnson of Holdenville. As a community bank president and a partner in her family's pig farm, Angie has brought incredible perspective and heart to her year leading the Oklahoma Pork Council. She has made our board and staff laugh, grow and consider another point of view during her presidency. Angie makes every meeting fun, and she has represented Oklahoma's pork industry with honor during a year filled with change.

Thank you to the smart, sincere and stylish Angie Johnson for your service to Oklahoma's pork industry the past year. We are grateful for you!

House Agriculture Committee Finance Bill Markup

Oklahoma Pork Council interns expanded their horizons on Capitol Hill this summer by learning about all things federal policy! Among the opportunities Kate and Braden enjoyed in Washington, DC, was the chance to meet with legislators, learn about the federal government, and sit in on a House Agriculture Committee bill markup.

On Thursday morning, Oklahoma Pork’s group watched as the Financial Innovation and Technology of the 21st Century Act was debated heavily from both parties. “Today's introduction of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act marks a significant milestone in the House Committees on Agriculture and Financial Services efforts to establish a much-needed regulatory framework that protects consumers and investors and fosters American leadership in the digital asset space,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (PA-15).

It seemed strange that members of the House Ag. Committee were arguing topics like Bitcoin and the FTX bankruptcy, but because of the committee’s role governing commodities, digital commodities like blockchain currency remain under jurisdiction of the body. Among other topics within the bill, the ranking member argued the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) needed more resources to carry out its newly outlined responsibility on top of a recent $100 million dollar increase to the agency. Ranking Member David Scott (GA-13) also warned the bill would encourage increased vertical integration, putting the U.S. finance industry at risk.

Chairman Thompson, however, claimed members of the committee have reached a bipartisan compromise of what could be very beneficial in modernizing how the United States regulates digital assets as a commodity or security. Nonetheless, amendments were made and debated by both sides before the bill ultimately passed out of the House Ag. Committee. This act will set the framework for how commodities and securities are defined in relation to American digital assets. The bill sets up funding for the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to collaborate on joint rulemaking for the digital asset marketplace.

The Oklahoma Pork team got a front row seat of how government is run in the House of Representatives. Click here to learn more about the Financial Innovation and Technology of the 21st Century Act.

Oklahoma Pork Intern Education Trip to DC

Oklahoma Pork's Ashton Mese Johnston sits with Allison Slagell and two summer interns Kate Jackson and Braden Burns as they learn about federal policy in Congressman Lucas’s office.

Story by Kate Jackson

Some of the Oklahoma Pork staff had the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC, to learn about the federal policy side of the pork industry. We met with some outstanding leaders from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Senator Lankford’s office, and Congressman Lucas’s office in addition to visiting several historic sites and museums.

Our trip was filled with learning and networking with many Washington contacts who are influential to the state of Oklahoma. We were able to tour the NPPC DC office and meet with their public policy team, including a round-table discussion about what NPPC does for the pork producers of Oklahoma and what each person’s role includes. The staff we met were Holly Cook, Kelly Cushman, Andrew Bailey, Chase Adams, Dr. Trachelle Carr, Annemarie Pender, Cristina Banoub, Annemarie Pender and their intern Morgan Hinz. Personally, I really enjoyed listening to Annemarie speak about her communications role in a policy focused office. It has never occurred to me that there are communications roles everywhere. One of the things Annemarie spoke about was that she did not come from an agricultural background. She can tell our story in a way that those who know nothing about agriculture can understand and appreciate what we do.  

After spending time at NPPC, our group moved to Capitol Hill for Congressional meetings. One of Senator Lankford’s interns, Ellie Huff took us on a Capitol tour. She was a pleasure to meet, and we also got to teach her about the pork industry and what we do. We also got to meet a couple of Senator Lankford’s staff members Ashley Higgins and Susan Occhipinti. Ashley is a Legislative Assistant for Senator Lankford, and her policy portfolio is focused on agriculture and environmental issues. Susan is also one of Senator Lankford’s Legislative Assistants, but her portfolio is focused on social and family services. They discussed how policy issues are handled on the Senate side which is a slower process than on the House of Representative side. I liked how both of them talked about what they majored in and how that has impacted their careers today. Susan studied Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Ashley studied Agricultural Economics an Agricultural Education at Colorado State University (CSU). Neither one is strictly policy-based majors which I thought was interesting.  

The next office we visited was Congressman Frank Lucas’s office. We met with Allison Slagell who serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for Mr. Lucas. Allison studied Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Economics at OSU. Much like the Senate side she told us how her office operates and how the House of Representatives functions differently than the Senate. The House moves quicker when it comes to approving bills and getting them passed. One of the things Allison said that stuck out to me was how her communications degree has helped her in the bill writing process, drafting speeches, and other parts of her daily work.  

The last day of our trip we had the opportunity to attend a bill markup in the House Agriculture Committee. Before the meeting we got to meet the House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson and a few other staff members.

I had an awesome time getting more hands-on experience with federal policy and learning how the whole government system works for the pork and agriculture. On this trip, I was able to meet some amazing people that represent our state well. Check out Oklahoma Pork's Facebook page to see a little more about our team's educational trip to Washington, DC, this week!

ODAFF Hosts Agriculture Interns at the Capitol

Story by Kate Jackson

This week I had the pleasure of spending a day in Oklahoma’s State Capitol networking and learning with other agricultural interns from the state. Our day started with a fun tour of the Capitol where we got to experience some of the building’s history and artwork. After that we heard from Kirby Smith who is the Chief of Staff for Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell. She was an extremely fun presenter who spoke to us about her current role and her previous work for Congressman Lucas as a field representative. Listening to Kirby speak about her experiences in the professional world and her transition from her past job to her present job was insightful.

We also got to meet with Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur. Secretary Arthur talked about her unique career path, which was interesting to me. I was impressed with how well she interacted with myself and the other interns, and I loved how real she was. Listening to both of these awesome ladies was inspirational to me as a young agriculture leader.

The group then enjoyed a pork lunch sponsored by the Oklahoma Pork Council. Coordinating our lunch plans for the day was a good event planning experience for me in this internship. After lunch, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Dell Kerbs came to speak to us. I enjoyed listening to him share about agricultural issues he has dealt with and how they have been handled. It was interesting to hear his point of view and his experience with policy. Another leader we got to meet was Skye McNeil from the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technical Education. I really enjoyed listening to her talk about some of the policy issues she dealt with as a former state legislator and her experience now being a lobbyist.

Our last meeting of the day was with Michael Kelsey who is the Executive Vice President for the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. One thing Michael said to us that really stood out to me was “if a door comes open, take a look inside.” That was important for me to hear as I transition into my senior year of college and look for future job opportunities. I truly enjoyed listening to him speak about his career and how he got to where he is today.

Overall, I had a wonderful day at the Capitol learning more about other agriculture groups and meeting other folks within the Oklahoma “Barnyard.”

Recruiting the Next Generation to Pork

Dozens of students with a passion for pigs took part in Oklahoma Pork's career exposure workshop on Thursday afternoon. Oklahoma Pork's Kate Jackson and Braden Burns educated the 3rd through 12th grade students about commercial pork production, the importance of biosecurity, Oklahoma Pork's role, and more.

Photos by Kate Jackson, Story by Braden Burns

The 2023 “Big 3 Field Days” livestock judging contest hosted 1,587 young people from six different states, which is known to be one of the largest youth livestock contests in the nation. With it came an ideal opportunity for Oklahoma Pork to recruit young FFA and 4-H members to the pork industry. Every summer for the past 35 years Oklahoma State University (OSU) Department of Animal and Food Sciences hosts a multi-species youth livestock judging contest in Stillwater. The rules are simple: three days, four species, the best evaluators at the end of the judging marathon get take home the hardware!

The Oklahoma Pork Council gets the unique opportunity to play a part in the festivities by hosting a “Work in Pork” workshop on day three, affectionately known as “Swine Day.” The hour-long workshop was held in OSU Totusek Arena, immediately before the announcement of the contest results.

Oklahoma Pork’s summer interns Kate and Braden had a fun time preparing an engaging slide show and several hands-on activities for the judgers to enjoy. Kate and Braden’s high-energy workshop consisted of three separate activities to outline key principles of the pork industry, including: supply chains, biosecurity, and communication.

This hour of “Work in Pork” fun brought together over 50 students who had the opportunity to take home some Oklahoma Pork swag like squishy pigs, keychains, stickers, and more so they can continue to be reminded of Oklahoma Pork’s mission throughout the school year. Our team is always excited to recruit the future workforce of swine enthusiasts by interacting with young agriculturalists across the state.

Learn more here!

Dr. Jayson Lusk Named New OSU Agriculture Dean

A former Oklahoman with connections to the pork industry has been tapped as the new Oklahoma State University (OSU) Ferguson College of Agriculture Dean. Dr. Jayson L. Lusk, who served as an OSU Agricultural Economics professor from 2005 to 2017, will return to Stillwater as vice president of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (DASNR) in August. Lusk has spent the past five years as a department head at Purdue University.

“I’m thrilled to come home to a place where I worked for 13 years and help build on the foundation to move the college and our state forward,” Lusk said. “It’s an opportunity to make an impact and to make a difference. It’s also a place where the students, faculty and staff are doing good things, and OSU Agriculture is well positioned with support of alumni and stakeholders to have an even bigger impact in Oklahoma and beyond.”

Lusk's duties will include overseeing academics, extension and research for the College of Agriculture. Additionally, he will lead the college's transition into a new $100 million, cutting edge Agriculture Hall in 2024. He brings a diverse skillset as a nationally renowned researcher, author and speaker on agricultural technology, animal welfare and consumer behaviors. His 2011 book "Compassion by the Pound" coauthored with OSU colleague Dr. Bailey Norwood uses data to analyze animal commercial protein production, especially chicken and pork.

“I’m excited to welcome Dr. Lusk back to OSU as the new vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture,” Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur said. “Dr. Lusk is well-known across the country and will bring a unique perspective and passion to this position. The work of OSU Agriculture faculty and staff, along with the leadership team, is essential to the success of the Oklahoma agriculture industry. I am looking forward to his return to Stillwater and seeing how Dr. Lusk’s vision helps further Oklahoma agriculture.”

Lusk's educational background includes studying Food Technology at Texas Tech University before earning his Ph.D. from Kansas State University in 2000. In addition to previous work experience at OSU and Purdue University, Lusk has also taught at Mississippi State University and the French National Institute for Agricultural Research.

Welcome back to Oklahoma, Dr. Lusk! Our board and staff look forward to advocating for pork production with you for years to come.

It's Time to Renew Your Membership for 2024!

Do you want to invest in connection, resources and innovation that will help keep your company ahead of industry changes? Our annual membership drive is officially here, and we couldn't be more excited to invite you to join the Oklahoma Pork Council for the upcoming 2023-2024 year!

Whether you’re actively involved in pork production or play a vital role in a related field, there is a membership that best meets your needs when you join #TeamPork!

• Producer Member ($100/year): If you're an Oklahoma resident engaged in the production of porcine animals, this membership is tailor-made for you! As a Producer Member, you'll have the opportunity to connect with fellow producers, gain access to valuable educational resources, stay updated on industry trends, and contribute to the advocacy efforts supporting Oklahoma's pork industry.

•  Friend Member ($100/year): Are you an extension educator, ag instructor, industry consultant, local businessperson, or anyone else passionate about supporting the pork industry? The Friend Membership is the ideal choice for you! Join us to expand your network, benefit from educational opportunities, and actively contribute to the growth and prosperity of Oklahoma's pork industry.

•  Associate Member ($300/year): If you represent a feed company, vet supplier, pork product manufacturer, or any other business operating in the pork industry, our Associate Membership is designed to cater to your specific needs. By becoming an Associate Member, you'll enjoy enhanced visibility, networking with industry professionals, and the chance to collaborate with Oklahoma's vibrant pork community.

Elevate your insight by renewing your existing membership or recruiting a friend in allied industry to join us. Visit our membership page to easily purchase your year-long spot on our team today!

*Please note all memberships are subject to board approval.

Oklahoman Participates in National ASF Exercise

Story by OSU Student Kalley Whitlock

Prior to the 2023 World Pork Expo (WPX), the National Pork Board (NPB) held a tabletop exercise specific to show pig industry leaders across the nation. As a passionate show pig enthusiast, an Oklahoma State University (OSU) student who previously participated in Oklahoma Pork's collegiate leadership program Pork Industry Group, and a contract employee helping Oklahoma Pork to work with Oklahoma's show pig community to develop Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plans - attending this exercise in Iowa was a special and eye-opening experience for me.

Below is my summary of the meaningful Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) preparedness event.

NPB's Director of Consumer Public Relations Jason Menke introduced the organization's three crisis management objectives which are protect, promote, and prevent. He educated the group on assessing risk and a step-by-step crisis response plan. 

Assistant Chief Veterinarian at NPB, Dr. Patrick Webb discussed FAD preparedness risks including travelers introducing disease into the country and the persistent threat of feral swine. He educated the group on specific characteristics, symptoms, and control measures related to African Swine Fever (ASF), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Dr. Webb also outlined the critical control steps for animal disease disasters and how to react. During his presentation to this show-focused audience, he stressed the significance of rapid detection and notifying local and state veterinarians. He explained what disease control areas are, how they are established, and what that means for producers in the control areas. He briefly explained the significance of SPS plans and demonstrated the use of Agview from both a producer and veterinarian perspective. Dr. Webb made a point to stress the importance of using Agview and traceability of animal movements to continue to business in an outbreak.

Bruce Spence was the final speaker of the day, and he explained the need to establish roles and responsibilities in a structured command system. He discussed the importance of allocating resources and how an incident can consume resources rapidly. This discussion led into the afternoon’s activity of the tabletop exercise. Throughout the exercise, the group staged different FAD outbreak scenarios and discussed the best potential ways to react in each situation. The meeting concluded with a feedback session for show pig producers to ask questions and share insights from their own experiences. During this sharing, the group discussed the need for proper communication and education for the show pig industry and the importance of a clear plan in case of an FAD outbreak. 

If you want to learn more about disease preparedness in Oklahoma, click here to check out Oklahoma Pork's FAD hub for helpful resources.

Youth Agriculture Leaders Visit Oklahoma Pork

Photos by Kate Jackson, Story by Braden Burns

Last week, the Oklahoma Pork team was visited by an excellent group of young agriculturalists with Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Oklahoma Youth Leading Agriculture (OYLA). The OYLA experience took place on June 13th through 16th providing opportunities for students to visit agricultural institutions throughout the state. The program is designed for high schoolers who have found a spark in the industry we love. These young people get to experience a fun few days traveling the state learning from leaders in Oklahoma agriculture. 

The Oklahoma Pork summer interns Kate Jackson and Braden Burns co-led the group’s time spent focused on the pork industry by composing an engaging workshop. The workshop included a presentation and fun activity where the students learned about our board members, organizational structure, industry highlights, and Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) preparedness. Since many of the students are involved in youth livestock programming, the team constructed a fun activity called “pop stomp” with balloons that outlined the nature of disease spread in a swine operation. After really getting the students’ thinking gears turning, we brought in our dream team member Matti Carlile to bring it home by talking more about FAD preparedness and the biosecurity measures we can each take to help prevent the spread of any potential biological threats.  

Each year, we are honored to be part of these talented high school students' week submersed in Oklahoma agriculture! Click here to learn more about Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s youth leadership programs, in case you have an interested student in your family or community.