South Dakota Pork Producers Council Announces Pork Ambassadors Emily Andersen & John Eilertson

The South Dakota Pork Producers Council awarded Emily Andersen of Centerville, South Dakota and John Eilertson of Wentworth, South Dakota each with a $1,000 scholarship. The South Dakota Pork Producers Council recognized these two students during the Master Pork Producers Banquet Jan. 13.

Emily Andersen is the daughter of Craig and Gail Andersen. She attends South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, and is majoring in Animal Science with an Ag Business minor.

Emily has been active on the farm where she helps with planting and harvesting of corn, beans and winter wheat, and many other duties around the farm. She is also active in helping with cattle and pigs and attends many seminars to learn about better livestock handling practices.

Some of Emily’s past activities were: high school volleyball, cheerleading, Natural Helpers, Oral Interpretation, band, Student Council where she was class President for three years and Student Council President her senior year, and FFA where she was Treasurer, Secretary, and President her senior Year.

In her spare time she enjoys hunting, fishing, being on the farm, and hanging out with her family and friends.

This past summer Emily interned at Kerber Company at the Hawkeye 2 sow farm in Minnesota where she worked in the farrowing barn.

John Eilertson is the son of Gerald and Jane Eilertson. He is a senior at Rutland High School and plans on attending Northeast Community College in Norfolk, NE to major in Ag Business. Eilertson grew up on his family’s farm north-east of Madison where they maintain a show pig operation. He started showing pigs at six years old and has come to love the industry as a whole. John spends countless hours in the barns throughout the year for preparing the pigs for show and helping in the farrowing house.

When John isn’t showing pigs or helping in the barn he stays active within his church, 4-H, FFA, choir, band, Student Council, National Honor Society and baseball.

This past summer John had the opportunity to intern at the Lake County Farm Service Agency office. During the course of the internship John had the privilege to learn about a possible career choice for his future.

The South Dakota Youth Pork Ambassador Program is designed to provide youth with an opportunity to become involved in the pork industry. The program helps youth develop strong relationships with both pork producers and allied industry members. It is an opportunity to learn about pork production and the industry and to improve communication and leadership skills. The main goal of the Youth Pork Ambassador program is to promote the South Dakota Pork Producers Council and the swine industry at various events. The successful candidate will gain valuable experience and develop relationships that will last a lifetime.

One of their duties as Ambassadors is to attend four events throughout the year. The required events are the South Dakota Pork Congress and Trade Show, Taste of Elegance, South Dakota State Fair and one Executive Board Meeting. The Ambassador will also be asked to assist at other promotions during their term. The Ambassador will begin the program at the 2016 South Dakota Pork Congress and Trade Show and finish the program at the 2017 South Dakota Pork Congress and Trade Show. If the Ambassador is not able to attend one of these events, other events may be substituted with the approval of the Executive Director.

The Ambassador with the assistance from SDPPC staff is asked to set up a booth promoting pork at their local county fair or other public event. The South Dakota Pork Producers Council staff will also assist the Ambassador in finding appropriate contacts for job shadowing opportunities.

–SDPPC