Agricultural News
Pork Checkoff Announces #RealPigFarming Student Social Forces Team
Mon, 22 Jun 2015 18:54:23 CDT
An Oklahoma State University student is one of 12 college students to be a part of the #RealPigFarming Student Social Forces team this year. Melanie Jackson is an agricultural communications student at Stillwater. The Pork Checkoff selected students based on their involvement in the pork industry and their strong communication skills. The team will be active through the end of the year.
"Social media is ingrained in young people's daily lives," said Claire Masker, public relations manager for the Pork Checkoff. "It's easy for them to share their thoughts about an industry that they are proud to be a part of."
Consumers continue to have questions about how pigs are raised, and no one knows the answers better than pork producers. The Pork Checkoff's social media outreach program is helping real farmers share real stories with consumers through #RealPigFarming. The hashtag (#) before Real Pig Farming helps people search social media posts with the same phrase, making it easier for them to follow conversations.
The students selected include Alex Conover of Iowa State University, Allison Luety of Iowa State University, Allison Bastian of Iowa State University, Angie Ruffoni of Santa Rosa Junior College, Ashley Smeby of Iowa State University, Brenna Branderhorst of Iowa State University, Karli Lane of The Ohio State University, Lexi Delaney of Iowa State University, Megan McNamee of Illinois State University, Melanie Jackson of Oklahoma State University, Mitchell Setterman of University of Minnesota Duluth and Sarah Marketon of University of Minnesota.
"I am excited about the #RealPigFarming campaign," said Angie Ruffoni, a member of the team. "Leaders and team members can use #RealPigFarming as a platform to reach out and share about modern day pork production, helping to bridge the gap between producers and consumers. I look forward to having meaningful conversations and sharing my story alongside other team members."
"The social forces team will be encouraged to use #RealPigFarming as advocates for the pork industry," Masker said. "Through social forces, the students will ibe able to improve their communications skills and expand their professional network."
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, science and technology, swine health, pork safety and sustainability and environmental management.
For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check the Internet at www.pork.org.
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