"Through the Pork Leadership Academy program, the Checkoff is helping build new leaders who will work with both consumers and other producers," said Bill Kessler, chair of the Pork Checkoff Producer and State Relations Committee and PLA graduate from Mexico, Mo.

The Pork Leadership Academy (PLA) participants are selected by their individual states and represent different production styles. The Checkoff provides initial leadership training, as well as long-term support in preparing presentations and interviews. The Pork Leadership Academy will focus on training producers as spokespeople who can relate the accomplishments of the pork industry to the public and who can communicate with producers one-on-one about issues facing the pork industry.

At their first meeting during World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, participants learned more about their Pork Checkoff investment and how to work with the agriculture media to tell their story.

This year's Pork Leadership Academy participants include:

Mike Barhorst, Findlay, Ohio
Billy Barnes, Bakersfield, Calif.
Cooper Brookshire, Starkville, Miss.
James Coates, Franklin, Ky.
Rene Coleman, Latta, S.C.
Zach Eyring, Minersville, Utah
Emily Fruge, Bell City, La.
Dan Groff, Harrisburg, Pa.
Nathan Hedden, Logansport, Ind.
Heather Hora, Washington, Iowa
Nick Howerton, Clinton, Mo.
Ryan Hunter, Vicksburg, Mich.
James Lamb, Clinton, N.C.
Jim Magolski, London, Wis.
Ryan Mead, Columbus, Neb.
David Newman, Fargo Lake, N.D.
Justin Ogegaard, Preston, S.D.
Mary Peichel, Fairfax, Minn.
David Ray, Waverly, Va.
Roc Rutledge, Yuma, Colo.
Brad Tate, Snowflake, Ariz.
Steve Wuergler, Drain, Ore.

These producers will attend five Pork Leadership Academy meetings during their year in the program. Each meeting will focus on a different issue that includes a Checkoff program update.