Big Three Workshop Combines Learning and Fun

When tasked with designing a pork-focused workshop for 8 to 18 year-olds attending the "Big Three Field Days" at Oklahoma State University, our Oklahoma Pork Council interns embodied the phrase "go big, or go home." Instead of simply creating one educational workshop, Chyann Emerson and Ethan Drake decided to plan four totally separate activities for students to complete while laughing and learning about Oklahoma's pork industry.

Using Oklahoma Pork's four strategic intentions as guideposts for each of the four stations, Chyann and Ethan kept around 150 young people locked-in for 90 minutes of pork-focused fun. This feat is extra impressive when you consider the students already had completed a jam-packed morning evaluating pigs during "Swine Day" of the three-day livestock judging event. 

The sports-themed "Join Team Pork" workshop commenced with a great introduction of our starting line-up of staff members and talented college volunteers for the day. With help from Oklahoma Pork's Kylee Deniz, Ethan made a strong case for recruiting these young livestock enthusiasts to pork production in the future. The students then rotated through through four activities designed to get them moving while thinking about potential futures in pork. 

Overall, Ethan and Chyann's workshop was a huge success. The event served as a celebration of Oklahoma's pork industry, and undoubtedly taught every participant much more than they knew about pork production and Oklahoma Pork's role to serve our farmers. Thank you to our incredible interns for planning such a special experience and to all the staff and volunteer support it took to succeed. We are all immensely proud to be on "Team Pork" and recruit the next generation to join us.

Spending the Day on a Tyson Farm

Story by Communications Intern Chyann Emerson

One of the many unique aspects of this internship includes getting the opportunity to job shadow professionals within the agriculture industry that interest us. My first job shadow of the summer was earlier this week with Hannah Trujillo, Senior Farm Supervisor at Tyson Foods.

Our day began like any “normal” day on the modern pig farm, which included showering into the “clean side,” placing any items I brought through a UV sanitation box, and changing into designated clothing which never leaves the clean side of the farm; all essential biosecurity measures. 

Once on the clean side, Hannah showed me her day-to-day responsibilities. She shared the ins and outs of managing a team, completing office work, and analyzing countless sets of data. Hannah explained that she works with an incredible team of eight individuals who go above and beyond every day. While each day looks different for Hannah and her team, they stay on a routine schedule. 

Coming from a strictly show pig background, I was extremely grateful for how Hannah and her team could explain commercial pig terminology in a way that made sense to me. She was an incredible resource in helping me truly appreciate all that goes into commercial pig production. I was so impressed by how the team runs such a high-quality operation with so many moving parts while always looking for ways to improve and push the industry forward.

Oklahoma Pork Named "Ag Advocate" Winner

One partnership our team at the Oklahoma Pork Council truly enjoys is working with the Oklahoma Agriculture in the Classroom organization. Housed within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF), the Ag. in the Classroom staff pour their hearts into educational curriculum, projects, and tours to empower teachers and increase agricultural literacy in our schools.

As part of our ongoing collaboration, Oklahoma Pork's Matti Carlile serves on the Ag. in the Classroom Advisory Committee and leads Oklahoma Pork's Ag. in the Classroom grant process each spring and fall. Matti makes sure the pork industry is well represented in many of their initiatives, including promotion of her and Shay Stegmann's accurate children's book about modern pig farming called "It Takes A Team!"

Based on this continued work together, this week's Ag. in the Classroom Summer Conference brought a fun surprise for Matti and the rest of our Oklahoma Pork staff as our organization was named Ag. in the Classroom's 2025 "Oklahoma Ag. Advocate." During the award presentation, our staff enjoyed seeing how many of the several hundred teachers in the audience have been past recipients of Oklahoma Pork sponsored Ag. in the Classroom grants over the years. What a visual reminder of how our members' checkoff dollars are sent back into local communities making an impact for pork industry support.

In addition to the awards ceremony during the conference lunch, Matti and one of Oklahoma Pork's summer interns Chyann Emerson spent the full day hosting a booth for participating teachers to connect with the Oklahoma Pork Council. Copies of Matti and Shay's children's book, information about Oklahoma's pork industry, and periodic drawings for Oklahoma Pork Council swag were all a hit among this diverse group of elementary through high school teachers from across the state. 

Thank you to our friends at ODAFF and Ag. in the Classroom for recognizing all Oklahoma Pork's board, staff, and members do to advocate for agriculture through sharing this award. We are very proud of our role within Oklahoma's agriculture community, and we are very proud to work for pig farmers who help feed the world. Teachers, especially those eager to learn more themselves and promote agriculture in their own classrooms, represent a huge group of potential spokespeople for pork and farming.

Pork Act Elections Notice: Represent Oklahoma in Kansas City Next March

The National Pork Board (NPB) and the Oklahoma Pork Council make the following election announcement in advance of the 2025 Oklahoma Pork Congress: 

The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2026 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 1, 2025, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Pork Congress Annual Meeting at the Sheraton Hotel - 1 North Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73102. If the Pork Congress Annual Meeting adjourns a few minutes earlier or later, Pork Act elections will occur 15 minutes after Annual Meeting adjournment. All Oklahoma pork producers are invited to attend. 

Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of Oklahoma and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. Nominations will be accepted from the floor. 

For more information, call 405-232-3781.

Oklahoma Pork Visits Savage Genetics

Story Written by Chyann Emerson

Almost four weeks into this internship, and we have already been exposed to so many valuable opportunities to connect within pork producers, gain knowledge, and strengthen our ability to better serve the pork industry. One of the most exciting experiences included joining Kylee on a unique show pig farm visit on Monday.

Together, Kylee, Ethan, and I traveled to Newcastle to tour Savage Genetics alongside members of the National Swine Registry (NSR) team. Savage Genetics is a show pig operation owned by three Oklahoma pig producers: Todd Kennedy, Donnie Persall, and Jim Ellison.

These three entrepreneurs have transformed a handful of show pigs bought a few years ago into a thriving operation with multiple business avenues, including the sale of primarily Hampshire and Duroc show pigs, semen collection, and now an innovative entry into the food space with their own line of pork sticks and pork jerky.

During the visit, we learned about the strict biosecurity protocols in place at the facility. These included wearing plastic boot covers, maintaining designated “clean” and “dirty” zones, and isolating incoming pigs. We also explored the breeding side of the operation, learning how they use their boars on their own Savage Genetics’ sows, collect semen, and maintain herd health through simple yet effective practices like ensuring access to fresh air and water.

To top it off, we had the opportunity to connect with NSR staff, discussing current show pig trends, breed numbers, and upcoming events in the industry. We also viewed the Hampshire gilt Savage Genetics will be donating to the NSR, where all proceeds from the sale of this gilt will support building the next generation of swine leaders.

Jim shared each part of their business started with them having an idea, fixing a problem, or honestly just having fun. It was insightful to hear all the ideas, and even more importantly the passion this group had for continuing to work, serve, and push the envelope in terms of sustainability and innovation for our industry. 

Full Week of Learning and Fun in Minnesota

Story Written by Ethan Drake

After a ten-hour drive straight north through four states, Chyann and I arrived last Sunday in Mankato, Minnesota. The Minnesota Pork Board hosted an outstanding Young Leaders in Agriculture Conference (YLAC) for the tenth year in a row, and we were excited to be part of it! It was a week full of both professional and personal growth. We spent three days submerged in discussions with other pork interns from across the states, and hearing from a diverse range of speakers and panelists. After the conclusion of the conference, we spent another two days in leadership training with a smaller group of interns.

Surrounded by over 100 other pork interns from across the country, we kicked off YLAC hearing from inspirational speakers Hunter Pinke and Mitch Matthews. Hunter challenged us to “have no more bad days.” This statement is something many of us would say is not really possible, it's a different story when a man who is fully paralyzed from the waist down challenges you to this. He admitted there are tough days that are full of growth, however, he chooses not to have any more bad days. When I asked Hunter what he does to fill up his cup since he spends so much time with others, I was extremely excited to hear him talk about his faith. He was followed up by Mitch who encouraged us to give ourselves “permission to dream big.” We spent time writing down all the dreams we could think of, posting them on the walls in different categories, and encouraging others to pursue their dreams. Mitch also encouraged us to spend 15 minutes daily pursuing our dream whether that was working on them, researching them, or even just praying about them.

We also spent time networking with industry professionals discussing how to have a good work-life balance, capitalizing on time with your audience, and being interested not interesting. Chyann really enjoyed discussing mental health issues and what steps Minnesota is taking to improve mental health outcomes in their state.

After YLAC concluded, our two-day leadership training with nationally respected expert Spike Craven of Integrity Communications began. Recording and critiquing ourselves presenting was a humbling experience to say the least. However we thoroughly enjoyed going through this process with other interns from Kentucky, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and the National Pork Board. Two days full of laughs and learning left us with skills we will forever use. The networking relationships that were built here I will forever value.

While I could not be more grateful for the professional development that happened on this trip, we had some fun too. From hiking down to an incredible waterfall, eating ice cream with new friends, or trying to get a bison’s attention by bellering like a bull, these are some memories I'm sure we won't soon forget.

I would like to give a special thanks to Jill Resler, Minnesota Pork’s CEO. She went above and beyond to ensure we had an outstanding conference, encouraged us through our training with Integrity Communications, and took personal time to spend at dinner with us. It was a night full of storytelling and the hardest I have laughed in a long time! What an incredible week.

Get to Know Our Education and Outreach Intern

Story Written by Intern Ethan Drake

Three panels made a little round pen back in the cedars holding a black pig we called Bob and a red pig we called Joe. When Dad brought home those two pigs, I never would have guessed all they would teach me. As a kid who loved animals, I simply thought it would be fun to go up the hill, feed, water, and watch them. Little did I know it was going to open my world to nutrition, animal husbandry, responsibility, and a whole lot of time fixing fences. Who would have guessed years later that kid would be sitting here working for pork producers who take care of thousands of sows at commercial operations, show pig producers with barns full of babies, and probably some other wide-eyed kids driving posts to build pens for their first couple pigs like me 10 years ago?

My name is Ethan D. Drake, and I am beyond blessed to be one of the summer interns for the Oklahoma Pork Council. I grew up in Mountain Grove, Missouri, as a kid who always had a love for animals and a heart for helping others. Mom always said even when I was little I would rather watch a documentary about wildlife in Africa than a cartoon. That love for animals is what drove me to pursue agricultural classes in high school. Then after being cornered by my agricultural education teacher about my future plans, I realized my passions for working with animals and with kids could fit together helping educate the next generation of agriculturalists. My next step was attending Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO), where I was on the livestock judging team, and I am now a senior at Oklahoma State University (OSU) pursuing my degree in Agricultural Education.

While attending OSU, I had the privilege of being a part of the Pork Industry Group which introduced me to the amazing team at the Oklahoma Pork Council. It was an incredible experience and when the night of the banquet was wrapping up, I knew I did not want it to be over. I wanted to continue to work with this team, the board members, Oklahoma farmers, as well as continue to grow in my own knowledge of the pork industry and develop myself professionally. I look forward to working on all of these aspects as my summer continues here, and I could not be more grateful for this opportunity.

I cannot wait to see what doors God will open for me through this internship. I want to thank every person reading this for your support of the Oklahoma Pork Council allowing for incredible learning and growth opportunities like this internship.

Oklahoma Pork's Board Visits Pacific Northwest

When Joe Locke became president of Oklahoma Pork's board of directors last year, he brought forward a creative idea that excitingly became a reality this week. Joe wanted Oklahoma Pork's board and staff to travel outside our comfort zones to: (1) learn together about a different sector of the agriculture industry; (2) cast vision together for the future of our organization; and, (3) bond together through shared food and fun in a new environment.

From hearing about the regulatory burdens faced by fishermen in the Pacific Northwest to seeing workforce challenges recruiting young people into seafood production, it was incredible how many head-nodding moments our crew experienced echoing many of the same challenges pig farmers face in rural Oklahoma. While traveling, the board also got down to business voting and making several important decisions during their June board meeting .

The trip was a beautiful balance of fast-paced tours like Pike Place Market in Seattle and laid back camaraderie during curated pork meals hosted by local chefs on Vashon Island. There were several "best I've ever had" meal experiences - including a few pork dishes that will undoubtedly be attempted by some of our expert cooks at home.

One of many highlights from this week of laughter and learning has to be how often the conversation would find its way to back to Oklahoma Pork's role serving the industry and how the board and staff can continue improving as we plan for the future. Stay tuned on Oklahoma Pork's social media accounts for more photos from our Washington adventure!

"Points for Pounds" Challenge Continues

With Oklahomans across the state proudly cheering for the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer, our crew at the Oklahoma Pork Council decided to use the celebration as a perfect opportunity to feed our neighbors in need while promoting the pork industry.

As the OKC Thunder began competing in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves a few weeks ago, the Oklahoma Pork Council began our fun "Points for Pounds Challenge" with a friendly wager to our friends at the Minnesota Pork Board. By the time the Thunder were named Western Conference Champions on May 30, a total of 1,139 pounds of pork were committed for donation to worthy charities between Oklahoma and Minnesota - with each pound of pork tallied for every point scored by our home state basketball teams. In Oklahoma, we decided to share the 600-pounds from Thunder points with our amazing partners at the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City. We were also proud to see our friends in Minnesota make their donation to food banks throughout their state.

Now, as we excitedly cheer for the Thunder in the NBA Finals this week and next, the Oklahoma Pork Council has taken the challenge "10X" by committing to donating 10 pounds of pork for every point OKC scores against the Indiana Pacers. Not to be left out of the fun, Indiana's pig farmers shot back they will bring "the heat and the meat" to participate as well. Although our Oklahoma crew is hopeful we are watching history as the Thunder secure Oklahoma's first NBA Championship - this engaging challenge helping pig farmers get recognition for your generosity is a slam dunk no matter what.

Click here to see Oklahoma Pork's Shay Stegmann do a fantastic job describing the challenge to News 9 during our first "Points for Pounds" donation drop, then don't forget to root for high scoring point totals on both sides to help Oklahoma Pork and our friends at the Indiana Pork to give BIG this month!

Get to Know Our Communications Intern

Story Written by Intern Chyann Emerson

Hello fellow pork lovers! My name is Chyann Emerson, and I could not be more excited to serve as the Oklahoma Pork Council’s summer communications intern this year.

Growing up in Tuttle, Oklahoma, some words I would use to describe the culture of my hometown are competitive, supportive, and tight-knit. Arguably, it was this atmosphere that led me to show my first pig at ten years old. Being a part of a family with little livestock knowledge, a good friend encouraged my sister and I to start showing pigs for the numerous benefits it has to offer. This was a new adventure that we quickly immersed ourselves in, and like many of you, we were instantly hooked. From there, my high school years were spent playing soccer, spending time in the barn with more show pigs than I could count, and traveling across the country to livestock judging contests.

My passion for the industry continued to grow, and after graduating high school, I moved 20 minutes away to attend Redlands Community College, where I dual-majored in agricultural communications and animal science. While at Redlands, I was a member of a highly competitive livestock judging team and immersed myself in leadership opportunities, industry networking, and hands-on livestock experience. During that time, traveling thousands of miles in a judging van and meeting so many livestock producers, passionate classmates, and incoming students I began to see many different sectors of our industry. I had the opportunity to stop and visit with so many hard-working pig farmers from across the nation, which deepened my appreciation for the work we do.

This past year, I transferred to Oklahoma State University, continuing my journey again working to earn dual agriculture degrees and serving on the livestock judging team. Since being in Stillwater, Oklahoma I’ve started pursuing opportunities tailored toward expanding my knowledge and commitment to the pork industry. I’ve been fortunate to be a member of the Pork Council’s college leadership program Pork Industry Group and to serve as the Oklahoma Youth Livestock Coordinator Intern. These experiences have not only helped me grow professionally, but have also broadened my understanding of how to be a stronger advocate for our industry.