"Helping to develop the next generation of pork professionals is one of the issues the Pork Checkoff identified as critical for the industry to address," said Gene Nemechek, president of the National Pork Board and a swine veterinarian from Springdale, Arkansas. "Our service and obligation to producers includes ensuring that there is a sustainable source of capable people ready to take on the industry's charge of producing a safe, wholesome food product in a socially responsible way."

The 19 student recipients hail from 13 universities and eight swine-related fields of study. The 2010-11 Pork Industry Scholarship recipients are listed on-line [click here].

The top candidate, Joel Sparks, will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and the runner-up candidate, Emily Arkfeld, will receive a $3,500 scholarship sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. The other 17 students selected will receive $2,000 each.

"A skilled workforce is essential for the competitiveness of this industry," Mr Nemechek said. "We need young leaders to look at pork not just as a food choice, but as a career. This is a chance for the industry to encourage these young people to join a workforce that offers many diverse opportunities. We have needs in production management, veterinary medicine, environmental management, food safety, genetic improvement, nutrition and much more.

"On behalf of the Pork Checkoff and its partners, the National Pork Board and the pork industry, we congratulate this year's Pork Industry Scholarship recipients," Mr Nemechek said. "We look forward to welcoming them into our industry in the future."