Bring Pork to Your Next Local Event

The Oklahoma Pork Council loves showing how generous our farmers are year-round. Through the Pork Checkoff, YOU help donate pork and support to communities across Oklahoma, not just during the holidays, but all year long thanks to outreach funds set by our board of directors. 

For 2026, more than $35,000 is available to help sponsor meals and events. While we can’t fund every request, we’re proud to support projects that feed people and promote pork. Members, send local partners our way! 

Groups can submit an Outreach Request online. After a two-week review, approved requests are often funded with $100 to $500 for local grocery pork purchases. Near Oklahoma City, we can also provide raw pork donations. Recipients are asked to publicly recognize Oklahoma pig farmers including tagging the Oklahoma Pork Council on social media.  

Our producers give big, and we’re proud to help. Encourage your favorite local partners to serve pork at their next event and apply soon as we begin using our 2026 outreach budget. Submit a request through the Pork Donation Request Form today! 

Seaboard Senior Leaders Visit Oklahoma City

This week, Oklahoma Pork was honored to play a small role in welcoming four senior leaders from Seaboard Foods to Oklahoma City for a multi-day visit focused on the future of Oklahoma agriculture and the pork industry. 

During their time in Oklahoma, the Seaboard leadership team reinforced their commitment to operations across the state, from live production to the pork processing facility in Guymon. Just as importantly, they used the visit to actively advocate for the pork industry and the role it plays in Oklahoma’s economy and rural communities. 

Their packed schedule included breakfast with Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, participation in the recurring Agriculture Group Legislative Lunch during session, and the opportunity to speak with top Oklahoma State University Ferguson College of Agriculture students through the Oklahoma Agriculture Leadership Encounter at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Oklahoma Pork extends sincere thanks to Seaboard Foods CEO Chad Groves, Seaboard Corporation CFO David Rankin, Seaboard Foods Vice President of Human Resources Grae Griffin, and Seaboard Foods General Counsel Nathan Hoffman for their time, leadership, and advocacy. We appreciate Seaboard Foods’ continued investment in Oklahoma and their wonderful partnership with Oklahoma Pork! 

Umo Callins Introduces Pork and Watermelon Sliders for Game Day Experience

SOURCE: FOX25

Umo Callins, sports and media dietitian, is introducing a new healthy of game day eating! She created watermelon pork sliders courtesy of the the National Watermelon Promotion Board and the Oklahoma Pork Council. 

Check out watermelon drinks, pico de gallo, and flatbread with a pork collaboration to fill you up for any game day experience!

Click here to watch the full segment.

Nominate Someone Excellent for Recognition

Do you know an outstanding pork producer who deserves recognition? Applications are open for the 2026 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Awards. This honor recognizes individuals across all areas of pork production for exceptional commitment or innovation within at least one of the Oklahoma Pork Council's four strategic intention areas: Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness, Workforce At All Levels, Image Enhancement, and Freedom to Operate. 

Each year, the winners of this award are pork producers who view their work as more than a job, bringing passion to their professions each day. Nominees do not have to be Oklahoma Pork Council members or work in any certain sector of production. Up to four producers will be chosen for this acknowledgement, and the winners will be celebrated at the Oklahoma Pork Congress in August. 

Nominations are due by Sunday, February 15, 2026. Click here to learn more and fill out the quick online application for a deserving member of your team or community. 

Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Recognizes Oklahoma Pork Partnership

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. 

Joe Popplewell Runs for NPPC Board of Directors

The Oklahoma Pork Council is proud to share that Joe Popplewell, longtime Oklahoma pork producer and past council president, is seeking election to the National Pork Producers Council Board of Directors. 

Joe has been raising pigs in Oklahoma for more than 30 years and brings hands-on experience from multiple swine production systems. Throughout his career, he has stepped forward to advocate for pork producers and has built strong relationships across the U.S. pork industry. Those connections, combined with his practical, producer-driven perspective, position him well to represent Oklahoma pork at the national level. 

Service to the industry has long defined Joe’s leadership. He has served as Oklahoma Pork Council president four times and represented our state through numerous national committees and leadership roles. Joe regularly engages with decision makers at the local, state, and national levels and understands how policy decisions affect farms, families, and rural communities.  Learn more at okpork.org/joefornppc. 

Proactive Leadership Keeps Oklahoma Pork Prepared During Winter Storm

Bringing widespread snow and bitter cold, the first significant weather event of 2026 moved across Oklahoma. Pig farmers prepared ahead of the storm, and despite challenging conditions, many reported to the Oklahoma Pork team that they fared well. 

As the storm approached, clear communication and coordination across the industry proved essential. Dr. Alicia Gorczyca-Southerland, Oklahoma Deputy State Veterinarian, sent a pre-storm message to swine veterinarians encouraging them to review emergency plans, prepare staff for travel challenges, secure water supplies, and identify backup heating options.  

 Preparation is a year-round responsibility for Oklahoma pig farmers. Whether facing winter cold or summer heat, they plan ahead to keep pigs safe, comfortable, and well cared for. During this storm, modern farm technologies such as climate-controlled barns, feeding systems, and reliable water helped maintain animal health and keep farms operating safely. 

Oklahoma Pork is grateful for Dr. G’s leadership and the teamwork among veterinarians, producers, and industry partners during the storm. We successfully navigated our first major weather event of 2026 and will use the lessons learned to strengthen planning for the next challenge.

Engaging the Next Generation of Leaders in Northeast Oklahoma

Photos courtesy of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

Last week, Oklahoma Pork Executive Director Kylee Deniz was invited to serve as a keynote speaker and breakout session leader at the NEO Branded in Leadership Conference. The invitation was extended by Dr. Mary Booth, Chair of the NEO Agriculture Department, and provided a meaningful opportunity to engage with students from across far northeast Oklahoma and share insights on leadership and the pork industry.  

Kylee delivered a keynote to a ballroom filled with more than 120 FFA members and their advisors titled The Soft Skills of Bold Leaders. Her message focused on communication, confidence, and personal responsibility, skills that matter no matter where students choose to apply their talents. Later, she led a breakout session titled TNT Traits: The Traits That Take No Talent, encouraging students to focus on habits and attitudes that set strong leaders apart. 

The conference offered a valuable space to connect with FFA members from the far northeast corner of the state. It also allowed Oklahoma Pork to highlight the many career opportunities in the pork industry and reinforce our commitment to workforce development at all levels. 

Our team values every chance to spend time with students and educators shaping the future of agriculture. After events like Wednesday’s in Miami, Oklahoma, we love seeing spikes in traffic to our Workforce at All Levels jobs portal at okpork.org/realporkjobs. 

Dr. Suzanne Genova to Represent Oklahoma in National Pork Leadership Institute

Oklahoma will be well represented on the national stage this year as Dr. Suzanne Genova has been selected to participate in the Pork Leadership Institute. PLI is a comprehensive leadership development program jointly conducted by the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board. Each year, up to 20 individuals are selected through a highly competitive application process. Program graduates are prepared to share the pork industry’s story and advocate for producers from Main Street to the nation’s capital. 

Dr. Genova is the owner of Red Dirt Veterinary Services based in Stillwater. She provides veterinary care to clients in more than 45 Oklahoma counties and four additional states, with much of her work focused on supporting the show pig industry. She is widely respected for her expertise in animal health and her commitment to producer education. In addition to her veterinary practice, Dr. Genova raises purebred Yorkshire and Meishan hogs through her operation, SweetGrass Livestock. She is a valued member of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors and currently serves as President-Elect. 

The first Pork Leadership Institute session, themed “Charting the Course with Pork,” begins next week in Iowa. We are excited for Dr. Genova and wish her the very best as she represents Oklahoma in this nationally recognized leadership program. 

Nominate Someone Excellent for Recognition

If you are reading this, there's a very strong chance you know an award-worthy pig farmer! Applications are now open for the 2026 Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Awards. 

This honor recognizes individuals across all areas of pork production for exceptional commitment or innovation within at least one of the Oklahoma Pork Council's four strategic intention areas: Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness, Workforce At All Levels, Image Enhancement, and Freedom to Operate. Each year, the winners of this award are pork producers who view their work as more than a job, bringing passion to their professions each day. Nominees do not have to be Oklahoma Pork Council members or work in any certain sector of production. Up to four producers will be chosen for this acknowledgement, and the winners will be celebrated later in 2026. 

Nominations are due by Sunday, February 15, 2026. Click here to learn more and fill out the quick online application for a deserving member of your team or community.