(NAFB) – The National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board kicked off the 2022 class of the Pork Leadership Institute.

The institute is a jointly-funded and organized training curriculum designed to develop future leaders in the U.S. pork industry. The year-long program consists of five learning sessions between February and November. Participants will learn about the legislative and regulatory processes, the importance of international trade, the roles of national and state pork associations, and issues facing producers. They are also trained to be spokespeople for the pork industry and grassroots advocates able to disseminate pro-active, targeted messages about the industry.

“PLI is vital to the success of pork producers because it develops knowledge advocates for the pork industry, and most importantly, future industry leaders,” says NPPC CEO Bryan Humphries. “Graduates are able to tell the pork industry’s story from Main Street to the nation’s capital.” Each year, between 15-20 producers are selected for the program.