November 2009

Direct Line Keeping Our Members Informed kpa@kspork.org • www.kspork.org

Volume XXVIII

2601 Farm Bureau Road • Manhattan, KS 66502 • (785) 776-0442

Nov/Dec 2009

KPA Promotes Pork at K-State vs.

Missouri Game The KSU Wildcats took on Mizzou Saturday, November 14, with the Kansas Pork Association there to cheer them on.

Over 30 producer volunteers traveled from around the state to join in on the fun, promote pork and attend the game.

The KPA booth was located on the west side of the stadium. At the booth, volunteers served delicious pork loin samples provided by Prairie Fresh Prime, a product of Seaboard Foods, and prepared by Frontier Farm Credit of Marysville.

The promotion also featured $1 off coupons created by the National Pork Board. The coupons were for fresh pork and could be redeemed at any grocery store nationwide. All redemption was paid for by the National Pork Board’s retail team. To get the coupons out to attendees, producers were located at entry gates to the stadium to offer the $1 off coupons to the crowd that did not stop at the booth. To draw crowds to the booth, radio ads with K-State media promoted the event.

“We appreciate the support from the producer volunteers and sponsors who helped make the event successful with their enthusiasm,” said Tim Stroda, KPA President-CEO. Overall, the event was a super success! Over 8,000 $1 off coupons left the KPA booth and over 1200 pork loin samples were handed out!

A special thank you goes out to the Frontier Farm Credit grilling team that showed up at 4:00 am to fire the smoker and get the pork cooking!

At right : Tim Stroda, President-CEO reviews programs at the Executuive Board meeting November 19th at the K-State Alumni Center.

Above: Willie the Wildcat stops in to get some pork samples.

KPA/KPPC Hosts Executive Board Meeting at K-State Swine Day After the excitement of Swine Day on November 19, the KPA/KPPC Executive Board members stayed met to review current NRCS EQIP updates, holiday promotions, social media activities, the new website, various public relation activities, property taxes and member incentive programs. Please remember to thank them for there dedication to your association!

K-State’s Swine Day is Another Success Over 300 producers, allied representatives, K-State staff and students attended the KSU Swine Day on November 19th. The day included the K-State Swine Team discussing practical application of latest production research, a panel discussion on the impact of H1N1 that included Dr. Steve Henry, Abilene Animal Hospital; Dr. Ingrid Garrison, State Public Health Veterinarian, KDHE; and Liz Wagstrom, Assistant Vice Dr. Steve Henry leads the President, Science and Technol- panel discussion. ogy, National Pork Board. Kent Bang, of Bank of the West in Omaha, discussed the economic signals that provide a look into the future of the swine industry.

KPA Join Kansas Ag Commodity Groups for Advocacy Training Pork producers along with farmers and ranchers from around the state gathered on November 4-5 for a in-depth training on agricultural advocacy. Ten industry leaders representing the KPA, KLA, Kansas Wheat, Kansas Corn, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association, the Kansas Soybean Association and the Kansas Soybean Commission participated

Direct Line Keeping Our Members Informed

in the training. Kent Condray of Condray Farms, Inc./ KC Pork, Inc. and Michael Springer of Springer Family Foods represented the KPA. The training began with a visit from Kansas Secretary of Ag Josh Svaty and Center for Food Integrity Director of Development Kevin Sprouse.

Staff members from each commodity group conducted sessions on social media, Board members Michael writing proactive-reactive Springer and Kent Condray letters and delivering meslisten to presentations during sages to decision-makers the media training. and legislators. The training ended with a trip to WIBWTopeka where farm broadcasters Kelly Lenz and Greg Akagi trained producers to convey a positive message through television and radio interviews.

KPA joins Washington County Ag Day The KPA staff joined 110 third and fourth graders and 12 teachers at the Kids Ag Day on October 28 at the Washington County Fair Grounds. Participants in the pork booth learned about what by-products come from pork production, general production methods and watched the video “The Amazing Pig” at the pork station.