National Pork BoardScience and Technology Intern

May 23-August 17, 2007Clive, IA

Leah Gesing

National Pork Board Checkoff Mission

• “The National Pork Board harnesses the resources of all producers to capture opportunity, address challenges, and satisfy consumers.”

• Funded by the Pork Checkoff– US pork producers and importers pay

$0.40 of every $100 value when pigs are sold and when pigs or pork products are brought into the US

NPB Vision of Success Statement

• Increase domestic per capita demand for pork

• Increase export demand for US pork• Meet the challenge of responsible 21st

century pork production• Provide access to knowledge and

opportunities

• Created by an Act of Congress that established the Pork Checkoff (“Pork Act”, 1985)

• Board composed of 15 pork producers nominated by delegates at the National Pork Forum, and appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

• Staff headquarters located in Clive, IA, with additional employees located nationwide

Science and Technology Department

• Provides scientific support for identifying and addressing issues affecting the health, safety, and quality of the pork industry’s animals, products, or people

• Areas– Swine Welfare– Animal Science– Public Health/Producer Safety– Pork Safety– Swine Health– Environment

My Supervisors• Dr. Steve Larsen, PhD

– Director, Pork Safety• Responsible for the development and

implementation of pre- and post-harvest food safety programs and the development of educational material on food safety

• Dr. Liz Wagstrom, DVM– Public Health and Worker Safety

• Responsible for development and implementation of public health and occupational health research programs and human and animal zoonotic diseases

Where I Worked and My Duties..

• Science and Technology Department– Assisted the department directors in various

Checkoff funded projects • Created brochures educating consumers about

Pork Safety• Created a web based survey for packing plants in

regards to prevalence of broken needles• Developed a web-based Emergency Action Plan

Program for producers across the country• Represented the National Pork Board at meetings

around the country

Where I Traveled

• 2007 Reciprocal Meats Conference, Brookings, SD

• ASAS/ADSA/PSA National Meetings, San Antonio, TX

• Pork Safety Committee Meeting, Chicago, Illinois

• Hormel, Austin, MN• Iowa Select Farms, Iowa Falls,

IA

How Did I Get My Internship?

• Went on-line to the National Pork Board website, www.pork.org to learn about the different positions available– Science and Technology, Demand

Enhancement, Communications, and Producer Communications internship positions

• Sent my resume and a cover letter via e-mail to Human Relations

• Completed a phone interview • Was offered the internship shortly after!

My Expectations Initially

• I didn’t have a very good idea of what exactly I would be doing on a daily basis.

• I expected to-– Gain a new perspective on the industry– Do lots of office and computer work,

organizing Checkoff funded projects– Complete lots of research to assist my

supervisors (looking up stuff on the computer)– Gain professional development through

leadership and communication skills

What I Actually Did and Learned From This Experience

- DID learn a lot more about a different side of the industry

– DID spend most of my time in the office organizing projects, and looking up stuff for my supervisors

– Helped organize and assist with several meetings

– Helped at World Pork Expo and State Fair with pork promotion

What I Actually Did and Learned..

• Met lots of producers and board members from across the country

• Traveled and represented the Pork Board at several meetings

• Got to experience a very positive, friendly, and laid-back working environment

• Am now much more knowledgeable about the current pork industry and can serve as an industry resource even after my internship

• Networked!

Professional Benefits Gained

• TONS!!!!!– Improved my writing, speaking, and

organizational skills greatly!– Was able to do LOTS of networking at

conferences and meetings with industry leaders

– Did LOTS of networking with professors from schools across the country

– Ultimately this internship led me to start thinking very seriously about continuing my education with graduate school!

-One of the best things about this internship was the many chances I got for career exploration and to learn about all the possibilities that are available in the pork industry. The NPB truly has a vested interest in keeping young people in the industry, and makes a huge effort to give their interns many great learning opportunities.

The Interns

At the SPAM Museum

QUESTIONS???