Tuesday, November 21, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cindy Cunningham 515-223-2600
ccunningham@pork.org  

Nominations Open for Leadership Positions on National Pork Checkoff Board

The National Pork Checkoff Board is accepting nominations to fill five, three-year terms as directors of the board. In addition, candidates are being sought for two open seats on the Board’s Nominating Committee to serve two-year terms starting in 2007. Nominees may be submitted by state pork producer associations, farm organizations and anyone who pays the Pork Checkoff, which includes pork producers and pork importers.

Any person who is a producer and has paid all Checkoff assessments due, or is a representative of a producer/company that produces hogs/pigs, is eligible to serve on the National Pork Checkoff Board. The 15 positions on the Checkoff board are held by pork producers or importers who volunteer their time. Seats to be elected in 2007 currently are held by:

John Adams, NC - Term limitation applies
Danita Rodibaugh, IN - Term limitation applies
Tim Bierman, IA - Eligible for reelection to a 3- year term
Bruce Samson, MT - Eligible for reelection to a 3- year term
Steve Weaver, CA - Eligible for reelection to a 3- year term

The Pork Checkoff Nominating Committee will solicit, interview, evaluate and recommend candidates to the Pork Act Delegate Body at the annual meeting March 1-3, 2007, in Anaheim, Calif. A slate of eight producers will be elected and submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who will appoint five producers to serve 3-year terms on the National Pork Checkoff Board.

The application deadline is Dec. 1. Please direct application requests and questions to the National Pork Checkoff Board either by mail to 1776 NW 114th St, Clive, IA 50325, by telephone to Lorraine Garner at 515-223-2637, or e-mail LGarner@pork.org.

The National Pork Checkoff Board consists of 15 members, each serving a maximum of two three-year terms. The Pork Act requires that no fewer than 12 states be represented by the 15 Pork Board members. At the time of election, these states will be represented by the board members whose positions on the board are not due for election: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In order to meet the 12-state requirement, candidates from at least three “new” states must be ranked in the top five of the eight nominees sent to the Secretary of Agriculture.

                                                      -30-

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Pork importers also invest a comparable amount. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health and pork safety. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at 800-456-PORK or check the Internet at www.pork.org