South Dakota Ag Connection - Andersen, Eilertson Named S.D. Pork Ambassadors

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Andersen, Eilertson Named S.D. Pork Ambassadors
South Dakota Ag Connection - 02/08/2016

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

Andersen is the daughter of Craig and Gail Andersen. She currently attends South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, SD, 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 3 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.

Eilertson is the son of Gerald and Jane Eilertson. He currently 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 to 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 actively 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.

Some of the duties as the Ambassador are that they are required 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 was created in 1954 to responsibly serve, support and enhance the success of the South Dakota pork production industry. Along with managing industry issues and improving the image of the pork industry, the South Dakota Pork Producers Council works to insure a safe, wholesome product for the consumer's confident consumption. South Dakota's pork producers have 170,000 sows and they produce 339,000 farrowings per year. South Dakota is ranked #11 in pork production and ranks #2 in pigs per sow. South Dakota ranks 9th nationally in number of pigs born in the state. South Dakota's pork industry contributes $2.1 billion overall economic impact of SD's Swine Industry. Also, South Dakota pork industry contributes $17.4 million in total tax revenue.

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