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Novus International and Nutra Blend are partnering to bring a different kind of competition to this year’s World Pork Expo in the U.S. in June.
Hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and sponsored by NOVUS and Nutra Blend, the first-ever Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet will be held on June 5-6 at the Expo in Iowa. This competitive speaking event for 17–22-year-olds has participants engage in open dialog about industry issues and offer solutions. Those solutions are then translated into mock motions that simulate the NPPC producer-led policy development process, giving competitors a look into how industry decisions in the U.S. are made.
Eric Sanny, swine regional sales manager for North America and Canada at NOVUS, says the NOVUS Swine Team is sponsoring this new event to support young people’s involvement in a different part of the industry.
“This age group - 17-22 years old - is looking to find its place in the pork industry,” Sanny says. “Maybe they want to raise pigs or be a vet or a nutritionist, or maybe they want to be involved in a different way. This gives them a glimpse of how they can advocate for the industry beyond the barn.”
Along with bragging rights, cash prizes are awarded to the contest winners including a $2,500 scholarship and an all expenses paid trip to NPPC's Fall Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C. for the first place Young Pork Advocate.
Ron Praska, western regional sales manager for Nutra Blend, says supporting today’s young people means supporting the future of the animal agriculture industry.
“Animal agriculture is following a similar trend as most businesses in the U.S.,” Praska says. “With the “graying” of America we are seeing an immediate need for younger people to join our industry. All of us at Nutra Blend recognize that there are talented individuals available for the great opportunities to continue to feed the world.”
Rounds one and two of the competition are scheduled for the morning of June 5 at the Varied Industries Building Meeting Rooms, South Hallway. The final four rounds will take place on June 6 on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage on the Iowa State Fairgrounds immediately before the live concert featuring The Pork Tornadoes.
May 21, 2024 - NOVUS
