North Carolina Pork Council

Consumer Information and Promotion:Promoting pork and pork production practices to increase consumer awareness and acceptance of our products to ultimately result in increased pork consumption. Achievements include delivery of positive messages about pork and pork production practices through print and social media channels; sanctioning and support of new and existing local barbecue contests and conducting the NC Pork Council state championship barbecue contest; providing educational information on pork production and cooking pork; sponsoring the NC State Fair; and supporting international marketing development.

Public Policy/Other Programs:Ensuring sound public policy relationships and advocating positions that benefit the state's pork producers and the pork industry in general. Through education and proactive efforts, NCPC advocates for reasonable legislation and regulations on behalf of pork producers. Public policy issues of focus include agriculture and industry, animal health and food safety, environment, and energy. Other programming efforts included supporting allied industry organizations and programs.

Production Technology & Education:To improve production methods, technology, and pork products. Includes educating producers and others such as youth, allied partners, etc. on the latest pork information and production technology; Achievements include providing funding for the Junior Livestock Sale of Champions at the NC State Fair that includes a youth scholarship program; providing and sponsoring producer education programs and continuing education classes at the NC Pork Conference as well as regional and local conferences throughout the state; providing PQA Plus certification/training to producers and youth throughout the state (in both English and Spanish) as well as PQA advisor training, TQA, and site assessments; providing funding and support for swine showmanship participants; providing funding for internships and events as well as a national immersion program; providing funding for scholarships; providing training and educational opportunities for future pork leaders; supporting allied industry organizations and programs; and providing educational opportunities to Cooperative Extension livestock agents.