News

Youth immersed in pork industry through Ambassador program

A Minnesota Pork Board program allows young people to immerse themselves in the pork industry.

Each year during Farmfest, the Board selects a Pork Ambassador and two runners-up.

This year’s winner, Amelia Welter of Stewartville, says it has been an eye-opening experience.

“It has been amazing, and all the stuff we’ve been able to learn is unbelievable.  We’ve talked to such amazing industry members and gained so much knowledge from them, that now we’ll be able to turn around and use that to help engage with consumers and further along our story with them and share our passion for pigs.”

Welter is a sophomore studying food science at Kansas State University.

First runner-up Sierra Williamson of Sherburn tells Brownfield interacting with producers has helped her better understand pig farming.

“Being passionate about food security and wanting to help with the global challenge of providing food for everyone, this has really expanded my knowledge and opened my eyes to a great industry that can really impact a lot of people.”

Williamson is a sophomore studying agriculture and food business management at the University of Minnesota.

And second runner-up Kenny Strobel of Pemberton says being a Pork Ambassador allows for unique opportunities.

“We’re going to Washington, D.C. sometime in April and I can’t wait to be kind of like a lobbyist almost with some of these congressmen and women, and see what they have to say about the industry like how much they’re involved and what they think our next step forward is.”

Strobel is a junior at the University of Minnesota.

Brownfield talked to the Pork Ambassadors at Minnesota Pork Congress Tuesday.

 

Amelia Welter interview:

Sierra Williamson interview:

Kenny Strobel interview: