Pork Industry News
July 9, 2003
For More Information, contact
Don Nikodim, Executive Vice President,
(573) 445-8375
Missouri Youth Study Pork Production
High school students travel to MU for "Pig Camp."
Columbia, Mo. -High school students from across the state came to Columbia June 16-18 for three days of learning about modern pork production. Two of those students left with a $500 scholarship to be used at the University of Missouri.
The Youth Pork Institute is a three-day educational seminar for high school students that takes them through the pork industry, from animal selection to breeding, feeding and health issues. The Institute is co-sponsored by the University of Missouri and the Missouri Pork Association. Students stay on campus and thus also gain the college experience.
MU swine experts took turns sharing their expertise with the students. The group also traveled to Marshall, Missouri, for a tour of the Excel case-ready meat packing plant, as well as the Kent feed mill. The students also made a stop at the MFA Swine Research Center.
Near the end of the three days, the students are tested over the information they received, with the top two students earning scholarships. Julie Niemeyer of Bowling Green and Travis Brinker from Auxvasse earned the $500 scholarships, which can be used when the students enroll in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri.
Niemeyer is an upcoming junior at Bowling Green High School, the daughter of Eugene and Marie Niemeyer. She is active in FFA, 4-H and band/flags. Julie plans to show hogs at the Pike County Fair this summer.
Brinker, the son of Kenny and Susan Brinker, will be a sophomore this fall at North Callaway High School. He plays on the high school baseball team and will show hogs at the Callaway County Fair later this summer. Travis is a third-generation pork producer.
Each year the Youth Pork Institute is open to 15 students from Missouri high schools who have an interest in learning more about the pork industry. Students apply for the Institute in the Spring, when enrollment forms are mailed to high school agriculture education instructors.
For more information about the Youth Pork Institute or any other programs of the Missouri Pork Association, call the MPA office at (573) 445-8375.
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