The Pork Checkoff’s Board of Directors is now accepting nominations to fill five three-year terms and one two-year term commencing in July 2015. Nominees may be submitted by state pork producer associations, farm organizations or anyone who pays into the Pork Checkoff, which includes pig farmers and pork importers.

A minimum of nine candidates must be ranked by Pork Act Delegates before being sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for approval. A ninth nomination is required due to the resignation of current board member Craig Rowles of Iowa, leaving open two years of his remaining term. Rowles will step down from the board in July 2015 due to a recent decision to exit his pork production business.

Serving on the National Pork Board is a great opportunity for producers to show their support of the industry, while helping to plan for a successful future. Any person who is a pork producer or importer and has paid all Checkoff assessments due, or is a representative of a producer or company that produces hogs and/or pigs, is eligible to serve on the National Pork Checkoff Board.

Candidates are also being sought for two open positions on the Pork Board Nominating Committee. Those appointed to the nominating committee will serve a two-year term in 2015 and 2016. The Pork Checkoff Nominating Committee will solicit, interview, evaluate and recommend candidates to the Pork Act Delegate Body at the annual meeting March 5-7, 2015, in San Antonio.

The application deadline is Nov. 1, 2014, with interviews for each candidate to be held in Des Moines on Dec. 11-12, 2014. Please direct application requests and questions to the National Pork Checkoff Board either by mail to 1776 NW 114th St., Clive, Iowa 50325, by telephone to Teresa Wadsworth at (515) 223-2612, or email: TWadsworth@pork.org.