SPONSORS
The Ohio Pork Council would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of 2025 programming and events.
PLATINUM GOLD
SILVER
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OHIO PORK SCHOP
EMBRACING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER:
A Message to Ohio Pork Members
As we navigate this pivotal moment in our history, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve embarked upon and the bright future we are capable of creating together. How is your optimism holding up? Amidst the complexities of a new presidential administration, we stand at a powerful turning point filled with both challenges and opportunities. It is crucial that we welcome the possibilities of change with open arms, especially as we look toward a more favorable regulatory environment.
Yes, navigating the challenges on the road ahead is daunting. The Ohio pork industry faces pressure from various fronts — rising pork demand issues, evolving regulations, the constant threat of lawsuits, localized issues, and the relentless opposition from animal and environmental extremists. Yet, we cannot afford to retreat. This is a time to assert our strength and resilience. We owe it to ourselves and to the generations that will follow us to fight fiercely for our industry and our future.
This is who we are: steadfast and resolute. We must not shy away from the challenges before us but rather embrace them with a spirit of opportunity. Each obstacle we encounter is not a roadblock but a stepping stone toward growth and innovation. As we stand unified, we will face these challenges head-on, building a collective narrative that echoes our commitment to excellence and sustainability.
The work performed by the dedicated Ohio Pork team — our producers, board of directors, national partners, allied industries, production partners, and staff — has been nothing short of inspiring. Each effort contributes to transforming challenges into opportunities that allow us to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing landscape. Take a moment to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved together: harnessing data for sustainable practices, enhancing our response to foreign animal diseases, and promoting pork in new, creative ways. These accomplishments not only celebrate our past but also serve as a foundation for our promising future.
As we move forward, our strategy will remain focused on collaboration. The Ohio Pork team is committed to leveraging Pork Checkoff resources and aligning with NPPC initiatives that empower us to act with intention and purpose. Together, we will navigate this journey as a united front, advocating for policies that promote pork while showcasing the truth behind our industry through data-driven narratives.
However, let us remember that this collective journey requires unwavering leadership from each one of you. Are you ready to lead and shape the future of our industry? Are you prepared to uplift and strengthen Ohio’s agricultural legacy? Your active involvement is not just important – it is absolutely essential. Engaging with your local communities, enhancing our outreach, and standing up for our shared values will be the edge we need to take our industry to the next level of success.
To lead and get involved, each member can start by actively participating in local agricultural meetings and events, where their voices can be heard, and ideas can be shared.
Your active involvement is not just important – it is absolutely ESSENTIAL.
Cheryl Day Ohio Pork Council Executive Vice President
OPC CHAMPIONS NEXT-GEN
Swine Vets
A group of OSU Veterinary Medicine students who have an interest in pursuing swine medicine as a career took a quick timeout during the 2025 Ohio Pork Congress to take a quick photo with OPC staffer Mike King (center).
When it comes to getting more swine veterinarians in Ohio, the Ohio Pork Council is using a home-state strategy. That means helping expose as many of Ohio State’s current veterinary students as possible to consider careers in the pork industry.
To help foster more interest in swine medicine, the Ohio Pork Council continues to invest in the education of veterinary students at OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In what has now become a tradition, OPC hosts a group of students at the annual Ohio Pork Congress as well as funds student attendance at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Annual Meeting.
“We want to set up Ohio’s pork industry for long-term success in every way possible and that means having enough swine vets in the future,” said Nathan Schroeder, OPC president from Leipsic. “We need to continue to do what we can to help any student, especially those in veterinary medicine, to take the path toward practicing swine healthcare.”
Impact on Students in Lima
“I really enjoyed my time at the Ohio Pork Congress,” said Brooke Bockey, from Spencerville, Ohio. “I found it very insightful and was able to gain a better grasp on typical farm protocols and to gain insights about current diseases and infections that are affecting many areas of commercial farming right now.”
Likewise, Alexander Dawson, of Brighton, Wisconsin, said, “It was my first time attending Ohio Pork Congress and it did not disappoint. Not only did I learn a lot from all the speakers, but also from discussions at the lunch table and with vendors on topics including concrete, nutrition, and airflow. Overall, attending Ohio Pork Congress was a great experience and I believe will help me be a better practitioner.”
For Pork Congress veteran Bailey Ward, Oak Hill, Ohio, it was another great experience. “I had another amazing and impactful time at this year’s Ohio Pork Congress.
NEXT PORK LEADERS CLASS
Starting Strong
Building on the great outcome of OPC’s inaugural Pork Leadership Class, the second class, while smaller, is not content to settle for anything but a great year of stellar opportunities for growth and development.
“I joined the OPC leadership class because I know it will help me broaden my network in the industry, but even more importantly, to gain the skills to become better equipped to advocate for the pork industry,” said Miranda Howard, who works at Heimerl Farms as a service team member. “And while it’s still early, I feel it’s already making a difference.”
A “Capitol” Day
While the curriculum will unfold over the rest of the year, a big chapter of the class’s education happened in March as they spent an entire day and evening in downtown Columbus getting a crash course in Ohio’s political landscape and how to better advocate for the pork industry.
The group was hosted at the offices of Bricker-Graydon, OPC’s partner in statehouse political strategy, where members of their team provided in-depth analysis of state and national politics. However, to start the day, OPC’s Executive Vice President Cheryl Day offered a foundation of what it takes to be successful at grassroots lobbying today.
Members of the 2025 OPC Leadership Class include Summer Doty, Miranda Howard, Kalyn Strahley, Cadance Atkins, Hannah Schroeder, and Tyler King. (Not pictured was Maggie Weller.)
Rep. Don Jones (left) and Rep. Bob Peterson (right) talked about Ohio agriculture and how to better connect with other legislators with the class.
ODA Director Brian Baldridge spent time talking about the importance of being authentic about their farm backgrounds with the leaders class.
“It’s always fulfilling when we have the opportunity to work with young leaders who have a genuine desire to learn and grow their skills to advocate for our industry,” Day said. “It was a full day spent covering key issues and sharing insights into how we can all do a better job of effectively sharing the challenges and realities our farmers are facing today.”
A major highlight of the day came when Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) and Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport) met with the group for over an hour. The legislators, who both serve on the House Agriculture Committee, offered a wealth of perspective.
“I very much appreciated their perspectives and willingness to be candid with us,” said Kalyn Strahley, who has served as a third-party auditor for operations such as Cooper Farms in the past. “That’s how all the presenters were actually. It really made me feel comfortable because they were easy to relate to and were so real.”
Aside from a quick tour of the statehouse, the day was rounded out by a comprehensive overview of NPPC’s key priorities presented by NPPC President Duane Stateler of McComb. This was followed by a roundtable session with Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge who offered his encouragement and advice to the group.
Real-Life Learning
Capping off the group’s day of learning was OPC’s annual Evening with Bacon event that saw over 150 legislators, staffers, and other state agricultural leaders enjoy conversations over bacon and pork chops.
“It was outside of my normal comfort zone to do this kind of activity, but I know that it is what I need to do to grow,” said Summer Doty, farrowing manager at Islercrest Farms in Prospect. “It will definitely help open up new doors in my career in the pork industry that can lead to new challenges.”
Likewise, fellow classmate Tyler King, who farms with his family near Union City, said, “My experience at Evening at the Bacon was quite intriguing. I had never been in a room with such a large number of legislators simultaneously, which put me a little outside my comfort zone. I had some conversations with legislators who largely understood agriculture, but next time I want to attempt to engage with legislators who may not be from a rural area or comprehended my business and lifestyle.”
Cheryl Day, OPC Executive Vice President (center), talks with Rep. Rodney Creech, House Agriculture Chair, alongside several members of the Pork Leaders Class during Evening with Bacon.
While the event was partially leveraged to put the class quickly into the “deep end of the pool,” several in the class took the challenge in stride.
“The Evening with Bacon event was something I will definitely remember,” said Hannah Schroeder, a student at Wilmington College from a family farm in Leipsic. “It was wonderful to see a good majority of our state legislators come together at this event to support Ohio pork farmers. It really made the best ending to the full day of learning and connecting with other young and passionate members of the pork industry.”
Looking back on the entire day’s full program and event, Day said, “We’re thankful to our producers, partners, and sponsors of the daylong session and the annual Evening with Bacon because it allows us to accomplish multiple things – most notably to have an amazing forum to help grow and engage a new generation of Ohio’s pork leaders.”
To provide a comprehensive view of the pork industry, the Ohio Pork Council is providing the Ohio Pork Leadership Class with skills and training in mulitiple areas. The goal is to create a positive experience that will make participants successful in future leadership in the state and beyond.
TOP HIGHLIGHTS from Ohio Pork Congress
This year’s Ohio Pork Congress in Lima was another unqualified success with over 500 people attending to hear top-notch speakers on a host of industry topics. If you missed out, don’t worry — we’ve captured the key highlights of what was discussed and presented. Unfortunately, we can’t recreate the mouthwatering creations that everyone enjoyed from Chef Lani but use that as motivation to make plans now to attend on February 3-4, 2026.
“We couldn’t have been more pleased with this year’s Ohio Pork Congress,” said Nathan Schroeder, OPC president. “It took a lot of planning and effort, but we truly feel Ohio hosts one of the best shows of its kind in the nation and we’re very proud of that. If you missed it this time, mark your calendar now for next year.”
The camaraderie was palpable, as Jarred Black, president-
elect of the Ohio Pork Council and director of transportation for Pork Partners, shared, “It’s always great to reconnect as a community and learn from each other. We may represent different farms and companies, but we’re all working toward the same goals. The educational symposium was well received and was especially valuable because it provided insights that will help us move forward.”
Swine Health Symposium Tackles Pig Health and Beyond
Day 1 kicked off with the Swine Health Symposium, emceed by Ohio State University’s swine health expert Andy Bowman, DVM. The discussions went beyond pig health, diving into foreign animal disease preparedness and strategies for attracting and retaining employees.
our state and it’s been great to see him recognized for this service and much more.”
For over 50 years, Albaugh has been committed to raising pigs, been involved with Ohio Pork Council and the Ohio Chester White Breeders Association. He played a vital part in the establishment of the OH-PIGS Program, a youth-centered show pig program, and had numerous roles in other local organizations. Regardless, Albaugh is always doing what is best for the future of agriculture and the pork industry.
Richard Ryan, from Irwin, Ohio, received the Ohio Pork Council Swine Manager of the Year. This award recognizes a leader of a swine operation who is highly knowledgeable of the pork industry and has demonstrated the ability to make key decisions.
The OPC established the Friend of Ohio Pork Industry Award to recognize an individual, organization, or company making a substantial impact on the organization through monetary support, voluntary activities, or general support to the pork industry. This year, OPC honored Andrew Montoney, State Director of USDA, APHIS, and Wildlife Services with the award.
OPC PRESIDENT CHAMPIONS LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH
During the annual Awards Luncheon at the Ohio Pork Congress, Nathan Schroeder, president of the Ohio Pork Council and operator of FNK Farms in Putnam County, told his fellow producers that is a privilege to reflect on the progress and future of our industry. He also shared inspiring insights into the importance of leadership, communication, and innovation in our field.
A Legacy of Leadership
Schroeder opened his remarks by acknowledging the contributions of past leaders who have paved the way for today’s successes. “We’re all standing on the shoulders of those great people who have paved the way for our success today,” he said. Recognizing this legacy is vital as we continue to build upon their achievements and drive the industry forward.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
A cornerstone of Schroeder’s vision is fostering new talent within the pork industry. Under his leadership, OPC has launched its Pork Leaders program — a state-level initiative designed to develop young professionals into future pork industry leaders. He remarked that the week was a milestone as the first class of this program were recognized for completing their training.
“From a leadership perspective, you always have to be filling the pipeline with new talent and encouraging young people to step up and help lead our industry forward,” Schroeder emphasized. He expressed pride in these young leaders’ ambition and commitment to producing safe, highquality pork for consumers while striving for continuous improvement.
Communication: The Key to Success
Schroeder describes himself as an open book when it comes to leadership, highlighting his belief in transparent communication as a critical tool for success. “With me, you are getting a leader who likes to communicate,” he said. “Today, being able to share what you are doing on the farm, in an open and honest fashion, is key.”
This approach extends beyond transparency; it also includes taking calculated risks and embracing new opportunities. Schroeder shared his optimism about several initiatives underway in Ohio that promise a bright future for pork producers statewide such as doing more with direct-toconsumer pork marketing at sports venues.
A Call to Action
Schroeder’s advice for young leaders is simple yet powerful: show up and get involved. “By actively participating and embracing opportunities for growth, the next generation can ensure that our industry thrives for years to come.”
PIG PROJECT
Builds Student Interest, Public Trust
Erin Wollett, the FFA Advisor at Cardington-Lincoln High School, had a vision to create a hands-on learning environment for her students about pork production that went far beyond farm visits and textbook curriculum. And with help from Ohio producers, she’s accomplished more than anyone expected with lasting benefits that are sure to extend far beyond Morrow County.
“We launched the program in 2023, bringing two sows into the school’s agricultural shop and created an immersive learning environment for the students,” Wollett said, who credit’s much of the program’s success to partnerships with local producers like Doug Dawson, Tom Blankenship, and Hord Family Farms.
Combined, Wollet said the producers volunteered to provide the sows and other essential resources such as farrowing stalls and gating for the in-school setup. She added, “Without Dawson’s help and the others, we wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Key Components of the Program
As Wollet explains, it’s really all boiled down to three main areas when it comes to the pig project that she is teaching every other year, for the school’s advanced livestock management course. This made 2025 the second time that 45 students took the class as part of their FFA curriculum, with eight students chosen to serve as the primary pig care givers.
“I am looking into possibly being a veterinarian, so this was a great opportunity for me to experience pigs, which we didn’t have on our own farm,” said Bryce Hartley, who was part of inner management team and serves as the FFA chapter treasurer. “Having the hands-on experiences of the sows, piglet processing, and everything else has really helped me think about my future career plans.”
Barn managers included front row (left to right) Isabelle Hess, Ava Davis, Christopher Kinsey; second row (left to right) Taylor Prince, Morgan Powell, Kayden Burchett, Bryce Hartley, Blake Bertke, and Erin Wollett (FFA Advisor).
Key Issues Discussed
While it was certainly a social event to build new relationships or strengthen existing ones, there were some important conversations about key issues currently on the statehouse agenda. Among the bigger topics discussed were:
• Support for additional staff funding for the Ohio Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
• Support of funding for OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine to help produce more swine veterinarians
• Support of the Agricultural 5th Quarter Project to help support the state’s ag educators and FFA education
• Support of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s budget for additional funding of the ADDL, H2Ohio, and Ohio ag exports
• Support of HB 10 to regulate and label fake meat and require schools to only purchase real meat and egg products
• Discussion of SB 60 that would allow veterinarians to have non in-person veterinary-client-patient relationships with producers, which is not in agreement with OPC membership
“I think we had a good evening with some helpful discussions about our main concerns facing the industry right now,” said Jarred Black, OPC president-elect. “It’s always a good thing when we can have face-to-face conversations and make sure our voice is heard.”
New Leaders Educated
Capping a day of learning, the new members of the OPC Leadership Class got to introduce themselves and connect with legislators, staffers, and other guests who participated in the event.
“It was outside of my normal comfort zone to do this kind of activity, but I know that it is what I need to do to grow,” said Summer Doty, farrowing manager at Islercrest Farms in Prospect. “It will definitely help open up new doors in my career in the pork industry that can lead to new challenges.”
Cheryl Day summarized the evening’s event by saying. “We’re thankful to the sponsors of this annual event because it allows us to accomplish multiple things. First, this kind of grassroots interaction lets our members talk with multiple legislators on both sides of the aisle, which we’ve seen can make a real difference in how decisions get made. Also, the event allows us a great forum to help grow and engage a new generation of Ohio’s pork leaders.”
OPC members, staff, and young leaders connected with multiple legislators all through the evening. The legislators from top-right clockwise: Sen. Sandra O’Brien (R-Ashtabula); Rep. Mark Hiner (R-Mount Vernon); Rep. Meredith Lawson-Rowe (D-Reynoldsburg); Rep. Johnathan Newman (R-Troy).
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