Missouri Pork Association News: Scholarship and Internship Opportunities

Here's a round-up of news from the Missouri Pork Association.

Applications Open for 2025 Missouri Pork Association Pork Industry Scholarship

The Missouri Pork Association is now accepting applications for the 2025 Youth Pork Ambassador Program. The program allows students to actively interact with leaders in Missouri’s pork industry and receive a $1,000 scholarship, payable to any technical school, community college, or a four-year institution. The ambassador will not only be awarded a scholarship but will also have many opportunities to increase their knowledge of the pork industry.

The main goal of the Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador Program is to promote the Missouri Pork Association and the pork industry at various events, the organization said in a release. As an ambassador, participants will attend at least five events throughout the year including: University of Missouri Pork Institute, Missouri Pork Classic Golf Tournament, the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, the Missouri State Fair, and the Missouri Pork Expo.

Participation in the program will help youth develop strong relationships with both pork producers and allied industry members. Ambassadors will learn about pork production, the industry, and make life-long connections in the field, and will improve networking, communication, and leadership skills.

To qualify, applicants must be a senior in high school up to a sophomore in college as of Jan.1 of the year they will begin the program. Applications and three letters of recommendation are due Dec. 13, 2024. For complete details and an application, visit http://www.mopork.com/youth/youth-pork-ambassador/.

Missouri Pork Association Accepting Applications for 2025 Internship Program

The Missouri Pork Association is now accepting applications for their 2025 Internship Program. Up to two college students will be selected for the summer period and work full time in the Columbia, Mo., office from mid-May through mid-August. An additional part time internship is available from January through mid-May, and another part-time internship from mid-August through December.

The program allows students to obtain training in a real world setting to develop personal, organizational, and public relations skills and experiences, the organiziation said in a release. A variety of duties are assigned to each intern—all with differing levels of responsibility. The MPA Internship Program is open to those who have completed at least two years (four semesters) of college courses.

Compensation schedules are in line with other comparable programs. The deadline for applications and three letters of recommendation is November 1, 2024.

The spring intern will be responsible for the management of the live and silent auction at the Missouri Pork Expo, assist with In the Show Ring activities, and begin planning for the Missouri Pork Classic Golf Tournament, among other duties.

The summer intern(s) will attend multiple Missouri Youth Show Pig Circuit jackpot shows and plan the fundraising auction, manage the Missouri Youth Pork Institute, Swine Health Symposium and Missouri Pork Classic Golf Tournament, attend Missouri State Fair events, and other duties as they arise.

The fall intern will assist in the membership drive and educational events, write articles for the annual magazine, plan the Swine Institute, begin planning for the 2025 Missouri Youth Show Pig Circuit, assist with the FFA Pork Speaking Contest, and more.