When you want to reach an often uninformed consumer base, you send in special forces. That’s why the Pork Checkoff has selected 12 college students to serve on the #RealPigFarming Student Social Forces team this year.
“Social media is ingrained in young people’s lives,” said Claire Masker, public relations director 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 through the various social media channels available to them.”
Candidates were selected based on their involvement in the pork industry and their strong communication skills. The team will be active from July until December.
- Tori Abner, Texas A&M University, Howe, Texas
- Hannah Rehder, North Dakota State University, Moorhead, Minnesota
- Brooke Sieren, Iowa State University, Keota, Iowa
- Edan Lambert, Iowa State University, Orange City, Iowa
- Katelyn Lowery, North Carolina State University, Clayton, North Carolina
- Taylor Homann, University of Minnesota, Pipestone, Minnesota
- Amy Lund, Iowa State University, Polk City, Iowa
- Kristin Liepold, University of Minnesota, Okabena, Minnesota
- Hunter Everett, North Carolina State University, Mebane, North Carolina
- Jenna Chance, Kansas State University, Lebanon, Indiana
- Megan Anderson, The Pennsylvania State University, Schellsburg, Pennsylvania
- Julia Hay, Texas A&M University, Somerset, Pennsylvania
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.
“I am excited to have this opportunity to share my Real Pig Farming story with consumers searching for answers about where their pork comes from,” said Edan Lambert, one of the newly selected members of the #RealPigFarming Student Social Forces and a student at Iowa State University.
“The social forces team will be encouraged to use #RealPigFarming as advocates for the pork industry,” Masker said. “Through social forces, the students will be able to improve their communications skills and expand their professional network within the industry.”
