2023 Ohio Pork Congress Program

OHIO PORK COUNCIL PRESIDENT

OPC Members and Friends of the Pork Industry,

My name is Nick Seger and I am currently serving in the role of President of the Ohio Pork Council Board of Directors. My family and I operate Seger Farm Inc. a farrow to finish swine operation an grain farm near Minister, Ohio.

As I enter my first year as President of the Ohio Pork Council, I would like to begin by thanking each and every person who has donated their time, money, and help to our organization. Without the many volunteers and supporters, the Ohio Pork Council has through the Virtual Field Trip program, the annual golf outing, the Ohio State Fair, and every event and activity in between, we would not be as successful as we are. Our mission at the Ohio Pork Council is to serve and benefit all Ohio pork producers, and we could not do so without the dedication and commitment from our Board of Directors, members, and staff.

Nick Seger President

Along with the many successes of the Ohio Pork Council throughout the year 2022, the Ohio pork industry has also had many big wins that deserve to be recognized as the year comes to a close. These “big wins” take shape in a variety of ways, including the continuous progress through the H2Ohio Program, the acquired funding for a new ADDL lab, the work that has been done to keep African Swine Fever (ASF) out of the United States, as well as the numerous legislative wins we have had. While it is great to celebrate these “big wins”, it is also important to continue making progress in each one of these areas, as these wins do not mean that the fight is over.

To kick off the new year, I would like to invite you to join us for the 2023 Ohio Pork Congress. Again, this year, the annual event will be held in Lima, Ohio on February 7th and 8th at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center. Join us for an opportunity for pork producers and business professionals to network, learn about industry issues, recognize industry leaders, and support OPC’s Friends of Pork PAC fund. The annual Ohio Pork Congress will feature a trade show, guest speakers that will engage guests in industry related topics, and so much more.

On behalf of the Ohio Pork Council and Ohio’s pork industry, I’d like to personally thank each of you for your continued support and commitment to advancing our industry. I look forward to working together in the new year and hope to see you at the 2023 Ohio Pork Congress.

Sincerely,

Nick Seger

2023 OHIO PORK COUNCIL Trade Show Map

2023 Ohio Pork Congress

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Ohio Pork Congress

BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS

SCHEDULE AND SPEAKERS

FEBRUARY 7, 2022

SWINE HEALTH SYMPOSIUM

7:00 – 8:00 Registration (Trade Show open with refreshments)

8:00 – 9:00 Sow Livability

Jason Ross, ISU

9:00 – 10:00

Feed Nutrition

Jim Jolliff, Kalmbach Feeds

10:00 – 10:30 Break

10:30 – 11:00

FAD: Are you ready?

Dr. Dennis Summers, State Veterinarian

11:00 – 12:00

Raising the Bar on Biosecurity

Dr. Arruda, OSU; Dr. Bowman, OSU; Dr. Nolting, OSU

12:00 – 12:30

Lessons Learned from Involvement in USDA HPAI

Stacy Herr, Indiana Pork

12:30 – 1:30 Lunch

1:30 – 2:00 The Intersections of Human Health and Animal Agriculture

Matthew Rooda, SwineTech

2:00 – 3:00 PRRS a Practical Approach

Giovani Trevisan, ISU; Guilherme Cezar, ISU

3:00 – 4:00 PRRS Resistance through Gene Editing

Banks Baker, PIC

4:00 – 5:00 Reception

5:00 – 7:00 PAC Auction

SCHEDULE AND SPEAKERS

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

OHIO PORK CONGRESS

7:00 – 7:30 Early Bird Registration

7:30 Tradeshow Open

8:00 – 9:00 Work Visas: Behind the Scenes

Victor Ochoa, SwineWorks

9:00 – 10:00

Sustainability – State & National Efforts

Ashley McDonald, NPB; Dr. Sara Crawford, SEC

10:00 – 10:30 Break

10:30 – 11:30

NPPC’s Political Strategy

Bryan Humphreys, NPPC CEO

11:30 – 12:00

What’s the Secret Sauce for Ohio Pork to Make an Impact?

Cheryl Day, OPC

12:00 – 1:30

1:30-2:30

Awards Program & Luncheon

Pork Economic Prospects for 2023

Dr. Steve Meyer, Partners for Production Agriculture

Joseph Kerns, Partners for Production Agriculture

Sponsored by Pork Checkoff

STEVE MEYER Speaker

Dr. Meyer joined Partners for Production Agriculture in January 2018. In his role, he speaks on various industry topics, develops and delivers economic data and analyses, and works with clients to provide critical perspectives.

Dr. Meyer has worked in the hog industry in a number of roles. As Vice President of Pork Analysis for EMI, he conducted ongoing analysis of hog and pork markets. As President of Paragon Economics, which he founded, he monitored and analyzed cattle, beef, and poultry markets. He served 12 years as an author of The Daily Livestock Report, sponsored by CME Group. He currently writes a feature article for the National Hog Farmer’s Weekly Preview e-letter that focuses on economic issues in North America’s swine/pork sector.

Prior to founding Paragon Economics, Dr. Meyer served as Director of Economics for the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board from 1993 to 2002. In that capacity, he provided economic counsel to producers and NPPC/NPB staff while coordinating staff and consultants’ activities regarding meat industry production. He also administered NPPC/NPB programs dealing with marketing and pricing systems, industry structure, coordination, and competitiveness. Since leaving the NPB staff, Dr. Meyer has served as the organization’s consulting economist.

Steve and his wife, Carolyn, have three children and live in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

JOSEPH KERNS Speaker

Joe has over thirty years of experience working with producers, suppliers, and mills to support agricultural operations. He assists clients with procurement and risk management activities related to hedging, ingredient purchasing, feed quality control, diet formulation, operational benchmarking, livestock marketing, generational transitioning, and business development.

Prior to founding Partners for Production Agriculture, he directed risk management activities for industry leaders such as ADM, Premium Standard Farms, Continental Grain, and Iowa Select Farms.

Currently, he and his team work with livestock producers and allied industry members in 13 states. Clients include packers, producers, veterinarians, researchers, mill operators, and feed ingredient suppliers. He often serves as a keynote speaker for industry events on topics such as commodity markets, nutritional factors impacting production, operational sustainability, leadership, and enterprise ownership.

Joe is an alumnus of Iowa State and enjoys spending time with Laura and the kids.

Steve Meyer Partners for Production Agriculture

Joseph Kerns Partners for Production Agriculture

ASHLEY MCDONALD Speaker

Ashley McDonald is the interim Vice President of Sustainability for the National Pork Board. In her role, she works on behalf of the more than 60,000 U.S. pig farmers who are striving to tell their sustainability continuous improvement story.

Prior to her tenure at the National Pork Board, McDonald was the Senior Director of Sustainability for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), representing cattle producers in sustainability initiatives domestically and internationally. In that role, she served as the Executive Director of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB). She has also previously served as NCBA’s Environmental Counsel in Washington D.C. as well as Missouri Farm Bureau Federation director of state legislative affairs.

McDonald holds a degree in agriculture economics from the University of Missouri and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the Antonin Scalia Law School (George Mason University) in Arlington, Virginia.

ANDRÉIA ARRUDA Speaker

Dr. Andréia Arruda is originally from Brazil, where she graduated as a veterinarian from São Paulo State University in 2010. Following graduation she then started her training as a scientist, graduating with a Master of Science from the University of Minnesota in 2012. In 2013, she moved to Canada to pursue a Ph.D. in Epidemiology at the University of Guelph, which she finished in 2015. She then completed a Post-Doc at the University of Minnesota, and joined the Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine at The Ohio State University as an Assistant Professor in 2017.

Dr. Arruda’s main research interest is in infectious disease epidemiology. She aims to better understand how emerging and re-emerging diseases spread between farms, and therefore, how to control and prevent them. Dr. Arruda works closely with farmers and veterinarians to better understand how the current complexity of the North American production systems impact the epidemiology of infectious diseases.

VICTOR OCHOA Speaker

Victor Ochoa is the Director of Swineworks, one of the fastest growing staffing companies in the swine industry. He is a veterinarian with a MBA from Colorado State University and a Certified Immigration Law specialist from Cornell University. Before joining Swineworks, Victor served as Animal Welfare Specialist at PIC and Onboarding Farm Manager for Smithfield Foods.

Ashley McDonald National Pork Board

Andréia Arruda DVM, MSc, PhD The Ohio State University

Victor Ochoa Swineworks

MATTHEW ROODA

Matthew Rooda has spent his entire life learning how to provide the highest quality of care to both animals and people. After graduating high school and successfully helping manage a large family sow farm farrow to finish, Matthew attended The University of Iowa to study genetics and pre-medicine in hopes of one day becoming an obstetrician. Matthew became a Certified Medication Assistant, and during this time Matthew identified how software and IoT devices in healthcare could be transferred over to the animal health industry to greatly improve the quality of life for millions of companion and food production animals.

In 2015, Matthew Rooda co-founded SwineTech to provide pork producers with workforce and swine management solutions that increases the quality of care provided or pigs worldwide. Rooda has led the SwineTech team through the Pearse Lyons Accelerator in Ireland, raised more than $8 million in venture capital, and managed business development efforts in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

ANDREW BOWMAN Speaker

Dr. Andrew Bowman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine at The Ohio State University. Dr. Bowman’s expertise is in swine production medicine, veterinary public health, and epidemiology. In addition to teaching and advising students, his research team focuses on type A influenza viruses in key animal populations and he leads large applied field research projects investigating the epidemiology of influenza in animal populations; zoonotic influenza transmission across the animal-human interface; and methods to reduce the risk of influenza transmission. Some of the team’s most recent work looked at the swine-to-human influenza transmission at agricultural fairs. Before his return to academia, Dr. Bowman was a practicing veterinarian focused on food animal production and he now serves as a liaison between the University and the industry stakeholders.

BRYAN HYMPHREYS Speaker

Bryan Humphreys is Chief Executive Officer of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). In this position, he is responsible for the overall implementation of all NPPC programs. Humphreys brings with him years of experience in the pork industry, including as a former NPPC employee, state association executive and National Pork Board Senior Vice President, as well as outside the industry as a campaign operative, lobbyist and business owner.

Before joining NPPC, Humphreys worked at the National Pork Board (NPB) as a Senior Vice President. In this role, Humphreys implemented a nationwide producer outreach plan during the pandemic and strengthened relationships on behalf of the organization. In doing so, Humphreys helped guide the organization to exceed expectations set by the industry.

Prior to his role at NPB, Humphreys served as the Executive Vice President of the Ohio Pork Council (OPC). At OPC, Humphreys cultivated award-winning producer image campaigns and fostered positive relationships with stakeholders and community members.

Bryan Humphreys National Pork Producers Council

Matthew Rooda SwineTech

Andrew Bowman MS, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVPM The Ohio State University

DENNIS SUMMERS Speaker

Dr. Summers was born and raised in Muskingum County, Ohio, graduating from Tri-Valley High School. He attended The Ohio State University (OSU) for his undergraduate studies, majoring in Animal Sciences, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 2001. While in school, Dr. Summers worked as a Research Assistant for a biomedical research group with OSU’s College of Medicine. From there, he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine studies at OSU, earning his DVM degree in 2006.

For the next 8 ½ years Dr. Summers was a private practitioner in Vermont, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Dr. Summers joined the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in 2014 as a field veterinarian for the Division of Meat Inspection. In mid-2015, Dr. Summers transferred to ODA’s Division of Animal Health, as s field veterinarian for the Dangerous Wild Animal Program. In 2018, Dr. Summers was appointed to Assistant State Veterinarian for Ohio, Division of Animal Health. Dr. Summers simultaneously assisted the Division of Meat Inspection in an interim capacity as Acting-Chief of the division. Dr. Summers was officially appointed State Veterinarian in December of 2021.

JASON ROSS Speaker

Dr. Jason Ross is the Lloyd L. Anderson Endowed Professor in Physiology in the department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. Jason’s research program focuses on using both basic and applied research approaches to help enable livestock producers and associated industries improve swine production efficiency. In October, 2015, Jason became the Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center with responsibilities in research, administration and extension, where his efforts were focused on creating synergies across swine industry related faculty and staff programs across Iowa State University to bring value to the pork industry in Iowa and the U.S. Beginning in August, 2022, Jason began serving as the Chair of the department of Animal Science at Iowa State University.

GUILHERME CEZAR Speaker

Graduate Research Assistant at Iowa State University in the Veterinary Population Medicine program. Coordinator of the Swine Disease Reporting System (SDRS) project working with disease monitoring and surveillance. Research interest in Applied Field Research, Epidemiology, and Swine Diseases.

A veterinarian with a Master’s degree in Biotechnology of Reproduction (UFRPE), with experience in Swine Health working in an autogenous vaccine company in the central region of Brazil. Experience in swine breeding and management, working in a farrow to finish system at the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (USA).

Dennis Summers DVM, Dipl. ACPM State Veterinarian

Jason Ross MS, PhD Iowa State University

Guilherme Cezar DVM, MBA, PhD Iowa State University

JACQUELINE NOLTING

Since 2005, Dr. Nolting has been part of the Animal Influenza Ecology & Epidemiology Research Program. Her research interests are in the risk and prevention of zoonotic disease transmission. Using experiential learning techniques, the “Swientist” program provides outreach and education to youth livestock exhibitors across the United States.

TREVISAN Speaker

Dr. Trevisan is a Research Assistant Professor at the Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department at Iowa State University, where he conducts works with an emphasis on veterinary diagnostic data and field applied epidemiological research to generate information to support stakeholders in making informed decisions on disease management and control.

JIM JOLIFF Speaker

Jim Jolliff has been a swine nutritionist at Kalmbach Feeds since 2020. In this role, he oversees nutrition and diet formulation for Kalmbach’s nutrition customers as well as for its own live swine production. He also influences Kalmbach’s research efforts and bagged retail feed. Prior to joining Kalmbach, Jim was a nutritionist with a large animal nutrition company for eight years. He earned his PhD and master’s degree from The Ohio State University and his bachelor of science from Wilmington College in Ohio. Jim grew up outside of Magnetic Springs. He, his wife, and two children live near Radnor.

Jim Joliff Kalmbach Feeds

Jacqueline Nolting MS, PhD The Ohio State University

GIOVANNI

Giovanni Trevisan DVM, MBA, PhD Iowa State University

Speaker

STACY HERR

Stacy Herr is the Director of Producer Education at Indiana Pork Producers Association. In her role at Indiana Pork, she coordinates checkoff programming in the areas of research, sustainability, producer outreach and foreign animal disease preparedness. Stacy is a USDA compost subject matter expert for foreign animal disease response and assists producers with local zoning and state environmental issues.

BANKS BAKER Speaker

Banks Baker is Global Director of New Product Marketing for PIC, a global animal genetics and biotechnology company. He supports genetic improvement and gene editing as a way to continually improve animal agriculture and provide holistic benefits across the value chain, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved animal welfare and more efficient protein production.

Previously, Banks led protein sustainability for McDonald’s USA, creating and implementing greenhouse gas reduction strategies and managing animal health and welfare commitments and antibiotic policies. He also led McDonald’s agriculture technology programs focused on improving animal health and welfare and environmental outcomes while increasing production efficiencies.

Banks has an undergraduate business degree from Warren Wilson College and holds master’s degrees in agriculture and business from Colorado State University and The University of Notre Dame.

SARA CRAWFORD Speaker

Dr. Sara Crawford joined Sustainable Environmental Consultants (SEC) as President in May 2022. Her experience and connections throughout the supply chain bring a unique perspective and understanding of core points throughout the supply network.

Prior to joining the SEC team, Dr. Crawford served as Vice President of Sustainability for National Pork Board and was responsible for strategic direction and venture leadership with the support of producer leaders. Before joining National Pork Board, she was a beef and pork vendor specialist for OSI Group and served as an assistant professor and then department chair of the animal sciences program at Delaware Valley University.

Dr. Crawford has a Ph.D. in animal welfare science, her M.S. in meat science and genetics and an undergraduate degree in animal sciences, all from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

Sara Crawford MS, PhD SEC

Stacy Harr Indiana Pork Producers Association

Banks Baker PIC

OHIO PORK CONGRESSSponsors

2023 Award Winners

PORK INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE Awards

The Ohio Pork Industry Excellence Award is presented to a pork farmer, or farm family, for their willingness to go above-and-beyond to donate time, money, and talents on behalf of the industry. This year, the Ohio Pork Council is pleased to recognize Wendell Waters for his contributions to the pork industry – both at a state and national level.

Wendell is known across the state of Ohio for his dedication and continued advocacy for the agricultural industry. It can easily be agreed upon that he has truly changed the face of Ohio agriculture over the years.

Wendell began his career as a vocational agriculture teacher at Ridgewood Local Schools, and later formed WenMar Farms Inc. with his wife Marcia. Today, WenMar Farms Inc. consists of 4,000 acres of corn and soybeans, and a 3,600-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation.

Along with WenMar Farms Inc., Waters is known for playing a key role in the development of the PGI Group in 1994. The PGI Group was a coalition of pig farmers that lowered costs through standardized genetics, jointly marketing animals to increase market prices, and sharing practices that helped to make advancements in the pork industry. Wendell has been a true champion of Ohio agriculture and the Ohio pork industry for more than 50 years and has always given his all to helping advance the industry.

Wendell and his family reside in West Lafayette, Ohio, where they can still be found immersed in Ohio agriculture.

Congratulations, Wendell!

Wendell Waters

OPC SERVICE AWARD Awards

Every year, the Ohio Pork Council presents the Ohio Pork Industry Service Award to an individual who exemplifies outstanding service to the swine industry. This individual exceeds volunteer expectations and is willing to support the pork industry in various ways. This year, the Ohio Pork Council is pleased to recognize Rich Deaton with the 2022 Ohio Pork Industry Service Award. Rich is a sales and technical service representative for PIC, while also serving on the Ohio Pork Council and board of directors of the National Pork Board. Rich began his time on the OPC Board in 2011, where he went on to serve a two-year term as president. His tenure on the board has also led him to participation in countless committees and serving as a Pork Act Delegate. His dedication to the pork industry doesn’t end with just his service to Ohio, Rich has played an integral role on the NPB Board of Directors since 2018, where he is also a member of several committees focused on the betterment of the pork industry.

Throughout his career and time spent involved in the pork industry, Rich has devoted countless hours to promotion, advancement, and research development, while always keeping producers’ freedom to operate at the forefront of his decision making as a leader in the industry.

Rich resides in Darke County, Ohio, with his wife.

Congratulations, Rich!

PORK PROMOTER OF THE YEAR Awards

The Pork Promoter of the Year Award is given to an individual or company that excels in promoting the pork industry. This year, the Ohio Pork Council is pleased to honor Ken Garee as the Pork Promoter of the Year.

Ken has been an active member of the Ohio Pork Council’s Board of Directors and currently serves as the president-elect for the organization. He has been an integral part of the success of events such as the annual PAC Auction at the Ohio Pork Congress and the pork stand at the Ohio State Fair. Along with his efforts within the Ohio Pork Council, Ken works at Kalmbach Feeds as a swine logistics coordinator.

The success of the pork stand at the 2022 Ohio State Fair is due in part to Ken’s service as the “grill master.” His dedication and willingness to learn the art of grilling, smoking, and preparing the pork that is served at the Taste of Ohio Café went above and beyond his duties.

Along with being the one cooking up all of your favorite pork dishes at the state fair, Ken saw an opportunity to connect with the public and ran with it, full speed ahead. If you follow the Ohio Pork Council on Tiktok, Instagram, or Facebook there is a good chance you’ve seen Ken in action in the pig costume, or otherwise known as “Mr.Pig.” Ken spent many hours in this pig costume during the Ohio State Fair; taking pictures with fair goers, marching in parades, riding the big slide, and taking several trips on the skylift. The time Ken spent as “Mr. Pig” helped to bring attention to the Ohio pork industry at the state fair and increase the presence of OPC on social media.

While there is no doubt that Ken has become quite famous for his grilling skills and his “Mr. Pig” appearances, his ability to educate and promote all things Ohio pork is what truly sets him apart from others. His passion for promoting Ohio’s pork industry radiates through his work with the Ohio Pork Council.

Congratulations, Ken!

Ken Garee

Rich Deaton

FRIEND OF PORK Awards

The work of the Ohio Pork Council is made possible by the many generous supporters who devote time to enhance the organization’s efforts on behalf of all producers. To acknowledge their efforts and express gratitude, OPC established the Friends of Ohio Pork Industry award.

This award recognizes an individual, organization, or company that has made a substantial impact on the organization through monetary support, voluntary activities, or general support to the pork industry throughout the year(s). The Ohio Pork Council is pleased to honor Bob Gibbs.

As a small businessman and Ohio pig farmer for over three decades, Gibbs took his knowledge and advocacy of Ohio agriculture to the next level. He began his role in promoting agriculture while attending The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, where he graduated in 1974. His passion for agriculture continued developing through his experiences in leadership within organizations such as the Ohio Farm Bureau.

Gibbs decided to take his knowledge to government affairs where he served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives and was then elected to the Ohio Senate in 2008. The time he spent in both the House and the Senate allowed him to use his knowledge and passion for agriculture to advocate for our Ohio pig farmers. During his time in the Ohio legislature, he served as the chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and was the vice-chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

In a time when agriculture needed someone to stand up for them on a national level, Gibbs did just that. His positive impact on Ohio’s pork industry will not soon be forgotten by our producers.

Congratulations, Bob Gibbs!

SWINE MANAGER OF THE YEAR Awards

The Ohio Pork Council Swine Manager of the Year award recognizes a leader of a swine operation who is highly knowledgeable of the pork industry and has demonstrated the ability to make key decisions on behalf of their operation. This year, the Ohio Pork Council is pleased to recognize Todd Post as the 2022 Swine Manager of the Year.

Todd is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he studied Animal Science and was very involved in the agriculture department. His passion for pork and working with pigs led him to a career with Cooper Farms as the lead service person, where he has been employed since 2012.

Throughout Todd’s 10 years with Cooper Farms, he has been instrumental in the growth of their hog division while working hand in hand with the contract families who grow with Cooper Farms. Those that work alongside Todd often credit his communication and true passion for working with pigs and people.

Above all else, Todd’s passion for pigs shines through his work on a daily basis. Todd’s ability to ensure the culture of the operation is based on respect for the contract families and the pigs’ health and safety does not go unnoticed by those he works with. His commitment to the agricultural industry goes well beyond his normal job duties, and he can often be found working towards making improvements in sustainability, as well as helping those around him adapt to the changes in the pork industry.

Todd and his wife, Sara, and their four children reside in Fort Recovery, Ohio.

Congratulations, Todd!

Todd Post

Bob Gibbs

Local action, global influence: the future of pork.

Dear friends and partners,

The future of pork production requires a constant, focused effort to protect our livelihoods.

Protecting producers’ freedom to operate is what the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) does each day as the global voice for the U.S. pork industry. The success of the NPPC and affiliate state pork associations depends on the participation and shared vision of our stakeholders to secure a strong future for everyone in the pork industry.

The Strategic Investment Program (SIP) remains the largest source of funding for NPPC and is essential for state pork organizations’ policy efforts. Forty percent of SIP funds are returned to your state organization to support grassroots efforts.

We are grateful for the action taken by delegates at the annual National Pork Industry Forum in March 2022. They voted to increase the SIP rate to 15 cents, from 10 cents per $100 of value for each live hog sold, effective no later than Jan. 1, 2023. The change will work in conjunction with a 5-cent reduction in the mandatory Pork Checkoff rate. This shift was one of five recommendations made by the producerled 2021 Pork Industry Visioning Task Force.

Challenges facing the pork industry are coming from many angles. With challenge comes opportunity. A strategically considered budget increase allows us to tackle challenges in new ways. A reliable source of revenue allows us to be more proactive in how we tackle issues in Washington, D.C., in the future and beyond.

It is important to understand mandatory Pork Checkoff dollars cannot be used to influence legislative, regulatory or trade policy. NPPC and state organizations rely on SIP to represent important policy issues at the national and grassroots level.

SIP funds allow NPPC to fight for reasonable legislation, regulation and development of export market opportunities. SIP is critical to ensure we have an aggressive voice to address these challenges and create opportunities for investors.

We want to thank current SIP investors — your involvement and support is critical to our organization.

To those who are not investors, we encourage you to reach out to NPPC at invest@nppc.org or visit www.nppc.org/invest for more information. We believe you will see that an investment in SIP is a wise choice for your business.

Respectfully yours,

Terry Wolters NPPC President

Bryan Humphreys NPPC CEO

OHIO PORK COUNCIL

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