Pork Industry Group - Oklahoma Pork Council

Stillwater, OK • Closes September 11

Description

Pork Industry Group is an eight-week learning experience for Ferguson College of Agriculture students who want to better understand the swine industry and expand their network of agricultural professionals in Oklahoma.

Students will grow their knowledge of commercial pork production, diverse career opportunities, agricultural advocacy, professionalism and more. Each weekly session throughout October and November will also include a free dinner, door prizes, and helpful advice from industry experts. The group will hear from dynamic speakers with a variety of pork-related careers and take part in an exciting two-day trip to visit a commercial sow operation and a large-scale pork processing plant. Pork Industry Group will culminate with a final banquet at which students will present their ideas to help solve a current issue faced by Oklahoma’s swine industry to members of the Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors. Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding participants. 

Guidelines

All Ferguson College of Agriculture students are eligible to apply, regardless of academic major or grade level. Approximately 20 students will be accepted into the program for Fall 2026, and those accepted students will be notified by September 25, 2026. 

Any interested student must submit a resume and one letter of recommendation via email to Ashton Mese Johnston (ajohnston@okpork.org) AND a completed online application by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026. 

Students who are selected to participate in the experience are expected to attend the six on-campus Tuesday night learning sessions in October and November from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m., the two-day industry trip to Northwest Oklahoma on November 12-13, and the final banquet in Stillwater on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. 

Any questions about Pork Industry Group can be directed to Ashton Mese Johnston at the Oklahoma Pork Council, Dr. Scott Carter in the OSU Department of Animal and Food Sciences, or OSU student Halle Pullen who serves as Oklahoma Pork’s campus liaison this semester. 

Visit okpork.org/porkindustrygroup to see the full schedule and submit your application!