Nebraska Pork Ambassadors announced

Pigs (Journal photo by Jennifer Carrico)

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is proud to announce the 2024 Pork Ambassadors. Five college-age students, under the direction of Sophia Lentfer, education director for the association, will participate in the year long program.

Olivia Vanderford, Lincoln, is a freshman studying agricultural communications at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Danielle Burge, Grant, is a junior at UNL majoring in animal science and is a member of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. Whitley Rut, Arthur, is a freshman at UNL studying agribusiness with a pre-law option and minoring in business and law. Kylie Beard, Nelson, is a sophomore at UNL majoring in animal science and minoring in agricultural economics. Trevor Parde, Adams, is a freshman at UNL studying animal science with a focus in livestock production and management.

This is an elite program that focuses on developing leadership and communication skills through a variety of firsthand experiences. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to gain experience about pork promotion, research, and consumer information, while examining the industry’s future and discovering what their role is in the future of our industry. They will have opportunities to meet state and national industry leaders, and closely examine industry challenges. They will graduate from the program with a $750 scholarship and an impressive understanding of the swine industry.