Lydia Oker Named 2023 Illinois Pork Ambassador

Lydia Oker has been selected as the next IL Pork Ambassador.

Lydia Oker is from Sandwich, Illinois and is a sophomore at Colorado State University pursuing a double major in Agribusiness and Political Science with a concentration on Global Politics and Policy.

Lydia has served as co-chair for Youth Engagement in Philanthropy, co-chair for the Rotary International Interact Club, an ambassador for the Student Leadership Team, and served on the Leadership Executive Board. She was a very active member of the Millbrook Mighty Ones 4-H club for 11 years and was a member of the Kendall County 4-H Federation. In 4-H, she served in several leadership roles on the local, county, and state levels and was part of Speaking for Illinois and National 4-H Congress.

Lydia is currently active on the Illinois Livestock Ambassador Team and has been active with the Kendall County Pork Producers. She has been a junior member of Illinois Pork Producers for several years and attended and worked several Illinois Pork Expo events. In 2017, she was awarded the outstanding county ambassador for the Illinois Pork Producers. She is thrilled for the opportunity to be the 2023 Illinois Pork Ambassador.

“As the 2023 Ambassador I look forward to being an advocate for the Illinois Pork Producers and continue networking with those within the swine industry,” says Oker.

Oker will hold the title of ambassador through the 2024 IL Pork Expo and will intern in the IPPA office this coming summer. She will travel throughout the state presenting at Summer Agriculture Institutes and will manage the Birthing Center at the Illinois State Fair.

“IPPA is excited about having such an active individual in this position,”  says Lana Shovlin, Communications Director for IPPA. “We are looking forward to welcoming Lydia to #TeamPork and sharing experiences in the pork industry.”

Lana Shovlin, Communications Director

Illinois Pork Producers Association

O: 217-529-3100                     C: 757-339-6077

lana@ilpork.com                    www.ilpork.com

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The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) represents more than 1,600 pork producers throughout Illinois and the Illinois pork industry, which contributes more than $13.8 billion and more than 57,000 jobs to the state’s economy (related to pork production and processing). IPPA is comprised of county pork producer groups in approximately 20 counties throughout Illinois. IPPA is an affiliate of the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board.