Future Leaders Illinois Pork
Future Leader Applications 2024-25 Opening Fall 2023
Why:
As the pork industry continues to evolve, the Illinois Pork Producers Association recognizes the need to focus on the future by finding and educating young talent that will take the helm as tomorrow's leaders on committees, boards and other leadership positions. Keeping our industry relevant and educating our consumers is a top priority. The development of our future leaders is a critical next step to keep the industry moving forward while providing the next generation of pig farmers with the skills and expertise needed to advocate for our ever-changing industry.
Goal:
To select up-and-coming pork industry candidates biannually, between the ages of 25-40, to participate in an Illinois focused pork leadership program. The two-year program will highlight commercial production and encourage young leaders to get involved and be more active in the pork industry. The selected candidates will participate in four meetings over the course of the first year and also have the opportunity to attend a legislative fly-in to Washington D.C. with the National Pork Producers Council.
Program Highlights:
The first meeting will kick-off in Springfield and give candidates an opportunity to get a Pork 101 overview of the industry from all aspects, including a state and national perspective and government/regulatory issues facing the industry. Candidates will also be able to have one-on-one conversations with seasoned farmers on their production standards and best management practices.
The second meeting will focus on the next steps in marketing hogs by hosting a day-long meeting at Smithfield in Monmouth. Participants will tour the plant, discuss industry standards, export markets and overall future goals and expectations.
The third meeting will take place in Chicago at ADM where the focus will shift to retail marketing. Candidates will gain insight from Chicago Board of Trade representatives, learn about product promotion, and how to educate urban legislators and general consumers about the pork industry.
Following completion of the leadership training, participants will have an opportunity to attend the 2022 Illinois Pork Expo and be formally introduced during the annual meeting.
Tentative Meeting Dates:
May 2021 - Springfield
July 2021 - Beardstown
December 2022 Trip to Hamburger University - Chicago
March 2023 - Spring Legislative Fly-In - Washington DC
September 2023 - Fall Legislative Fly-In - Washington DC
Candidate Requirements:
Selected candidates must be able to attend the four meetings and are encouraged to attend one of the two legislative fly-ins to Washington D.C. Men and women ages 25- 40 who have an interest in the pork industry are encouraged to apply. Selected participants will not be responsible for any expenses to participate in the program.
2021-22 Future Leader Class:
Seth Carlson – Henderson County, TriOak Foods
Emmalee Haege – Washington County, The Maschhoff’s
Patrick King – Knox County, Kingsdale Farms
Drew Kuhn – DeKalb County, a production manager at Sturtevant Hog Farms
Heather Luth – McDonough County, The Carthage System
Tyler Main – Knox County, Main Hitch Farm
Jenny Morris – Champaign County, grad student at University of Illinois
Miranda Reininger – Mercer County, Biddle Farms
Brianne Skien – Hancock County, The Carthage System
Amanda Spinner – Montgomery County, Borgic Farms
Amanda Uitermarkt – Henry County, Gestal/JYGA Technologies
Corbin Uitermarkt – Henry County, Wiechman Pig Company
Application Timeline:
Applications are closed at this time.
Questions:
For questions about the Future Leaders program, please contact Jennifer Tirey @ (217) 529-3100 or by Email
Future Leaders Class: 2021 - 2022
Meeting #1 - IL Pork Producers Association Headquarters - Springfield, IL. May 2021
Future Leaders met with their local state legislators and IL. Dept. of Agriculture Director, Jerry Costello II
Meeting #2 - Future Leaders toured JBS Packing Plant in Beardstown, IL. - July 2021
Inaugural Future Leaders Class: 2018-19
Meeting #1: IL Pork Producers Association Headquarters - Springfield, IL. May 2018
Meeting #2: Smithfield Processing Plant - Monmouth, IL. July 2018
Meeting #3: ADM/The Chopping Block - Chicago, IL. November 2018
Meeting #4: 2019 Illinois Pork Expo - Springfield, IL.
2019 Spring Legislative Fly-In to DC