APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
The Oklahoma Pork Council is now accepting applications for the 2025 Pork Industry Group at Oklahoma State University. Pork Industry Group is an eight-week learning experience for Ferguson College of Agriculture students who want to better understand Oklahoma’s swine industry and expand their network of agricultural professionals in the state.
Students will grow their knowledge of commercial pork production, diverse career opportunities, agricultural advocacy, professionalism and more. Each weekly session will also include a free dinner, door prizes and helpful advice from industry experts. The group will hear from dynamic speakers with a variety of pork-related careers and take part in an exciting two-day trip to visit a commercial sow operation and a large-scale pork processing plant. Pork Industry Group will culminate with a final banquet at which students will present their ideas to help solve a current issue faced by Oklahoma’s swine industry to members of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors. Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding participants.
New for 2025: Each participant will also receive coaching to plan and present one pork advocacy talk within their hometown or a local community.
All Ferguson College of Agriculture students with an interest in pork production are eligible to apply, regardless of academic major or grade level. Interested students must submit their online applications, resumes, and recommendation letters to the Oklahoma Pork Council by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025.
Students who are selected to participate in the experience must commit to attending all six on-campus Tuesday night learning sessions in October and November from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m., the two-day industry trip to Northwest Oklahoma on November 13-14, and the final banquet on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Full Pork Industry Group 2025 Schedule:
Application Deadline: Friday, September 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Participants Announced by: Friday, September 26
Session One: Tuesday, October 7, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Two: Tuesday, October 14, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Three: Tuesday, October 21, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Four: Tuesday, October 28, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Five: Tuesday, November 4, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Six: Industry Trip – Thursday, Nov.13, through Friday, Nov. 14
Session Seven: Tuesday, November 18, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. at OSU
Session Eight: Final Banquet, Tuesday, December 2, at OSU
Pork Industry Group 2025 Application
In addition to submitting this online form, you must submit a resume and one letter of recommendation via email to Ashton Mese Johnston from the Oklahoma Pork Council at ajohnston@okpork.org by September 12, 2025, to be eligible for this opportunity. You can also contact Ashton with questions by sending an email or calling the Oklahoma Pork Council at 405-232-3781.