Nominees may be submitted by state pork producer associations, farm organisations or anyone who pays the Pork Checkoff, which includes pork producers and pork importers.

"Serving on the National Pork Checkoff's Board is a great opportunity for producers to show their support of the industry, while helping to plan for a successful future," said Conley Nelson, president of the National Pork Board. "The Board plays a significant role, ensuring the industry voice is heard on a national level."

Any person who is a pork producer or importer and has paid all Checkoff assessments due, or is a representative of a producer/company that produces hogs/pigs, is eligible to serve on the National Pork Checkoff Board. The 15 positions on the Checkoff board are held by pork producers or importers who volunteer their time. Seats to be elected in 2013 currently are held by:

Julie Maschhoff, Ill. - 2010 - First Term - Eligible for reelection to a 3-year term
Wathina Luthi, Okla. - 2010 - First Term - Eligible for reelection to a 3-year term
Derrick Sleezer, Iowa - 2010 - First Term - Eligible for reelection to a 3-year term
Steve Wuergler, Ore. - 2010 - First Term - Eligible for reelection to a 3-year term
Everett Forkner, Mo. - 2010 - Second Term - Not Eligible for reelection

The Pork Checkoff Nominating Committee will solicit, interview, evaluate and recommend candidates to the Pork Act Delegate Body at the annual meeting March 7-9, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. A slate of eight producers will be elected and submitted to the US secretary of agriculture, who will appoint five producers to serve three-year terms on the National Pork Board.

The application deadline is December 1. Please direct application requests and questions to the National Pork Checkoff Board either by mail to 1776 NW 114th St., Clive, Iowa 50325, by telephone to Teresa Wadsworth at (515) 223-2612, or email [email protected].

The National Pork Checkoff Board consists of 15 members, each serving a maximum of two three-year terms. The Pork Act requires that no fewer than 12 states be represented by the 15 Pork Board members. At the time of election, these states will be represented by the board members whose positions on the board are not due for election: Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Massachusetts, South Dakota, North Carolina, Georgia and Ohio. In order to meet the 12-state requirement, candidates from at least three "new" states must be ranked in the top five of the eight nominees sent to the secretary of agriculture.