Pork Pages 2024 by Oklahoma Pork Council

Hugo Hidalgo Pacheco

WINNING!

THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS

It’s 2025, and once again the Oklahoma Pork Council was voted one of the best places to work in Oklahoma! What an amazing testament to the culture Kylee, Ashton, Matti, and Shay have created. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work with such incredible people.

One of the things that I love about working with this team is their drive and commitment to win every day. Vince Lombardi said “Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all-time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing!”

My good friend “64” (past president Tom Layne) coined the term “One Pork,” meaning even though we all work with different companies or parts of the industry we are here to represent all of Oklahoma’s pork industry, and we either all win or lose together. So, what’s winning look like for us in 2025? Recently Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur came up with the idea to make 2025 “The Year of Youth in Agriculture.”

When we think about winning at Oklahoma Pork, we think about our strategic intentions. Freedom to Operate, Workforce at All Levels, Image Enhancement, and FAD Preparedness. All these intentions involve educating our youth and young adults. Pork Industry Group, FAD workshops, and tabletop exercises, Oklahoma Pork Derby, OYE involvement, State FFA Convention, as well as our annual internships are but a few examples. If you have been or are currently involved, I would like to say thank you. If not, I would encourage you to do so or reach out and see where you can help.

No doubt that in 2025 we will be challenged on all of our strategic intentions, so let’s invest in our future as “One Pork,” and help make 2025 a winning year! And the year of youth in Oklahoma!

EXECUTIVE REVIEW

GREATNESS IN THE EXTREMES

Reflecting on the past year, I’m filled with pride for how Oklahoma’s pork industry has risen to meet every challenge head-on. Opposition activity has persisted – bringing threats that demand resilience. Yet, through it all, Oklahoma Pork’s board and staff have demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to focusing on what we can influence and change as guided by our 2024-2025 Oklahoma Pork Council President Joe Locke.

At the heart of our work, we have four strategic intentions including Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness, Workforce at All Levels, Image Enhancement and Freedom to Operate. These pillars keep us grounded and guide our efforts to protect, promote and strengthen the Oklahoma pork industry. In times of extreme pressure, our approach has remained deliberate and methodical – never reactive. Instead of allowing ourselves to be distracted by opposition tactics, we have leaned into proactive communication keeping our members, investors, and key stakeholders across pork’s supply chain informed. We have welcomed hard conversations and considered feedback as a valuable gift that continues to shape our path forward.

One of the most rewarding parts of the past year has been experiencing the passion and persistence of our industry leaders in action. Whether in the boardroom, on the farm, or serving thousands of free pork lunches to Oklahomans in need, the dedication of our industry has never wavered. I am incredibly proud of our organization’s ability to adapt, communicate, outwork and move forward with extreme focus.

It is a privilege to serve Oklahoma’s pork industry alongside my best-in-class colleagues – Shay, Matti and Ashton –under the direction of our remarkable board. The work we do is more than just a profession, it is a shared commitment to build a bright future for pork production in Oklahoma. As we look ahead, we do so with confidence knowing that our foundation is strong and our mission is clear. Without question, the best is yet to come, and I am so honored to be part of the journey.

Kylee Deniz

Get to Know Our President

JOE LOCKE

Throughout his 30-year pork industry career, Joe has gained valuable experience across several states and production systems. He currently serves as the Director of Operations for Tyson Foods’ The Pork Group (TPG). Previously, Joe worked as the Senior Director of Operations for Seaboard Foods. He was raised on a ranch in southern Oklahoma and graduated from Murray State College and Oklahoma State University before beginning his career. Joe’s involvement with the Oklahoma Pork Council includes previous service as a board member, officer, and volunteer pitmaster. The Locke family is active in the Marietta First Baptist Church. Joe also enjoys cooking, golfing, and watching sports with his family.

Incredible Leadership in Past Board President

TOM LAYNE

“Mygoalforthisyearistofocusonthingswe can do something about,” Joe shared at the beginningofhispresidency.“Foremostinthat will be executing on Oklahoma Pork’s four strategicintentionsandbuildingunityaround ‘One Pork.’ We want to continue building that foundation of integrity and continuous learningwehavesetwithourmembers,staff, and board.”

Joe brings decades of leadership development to his presidency, including donating his time over the summer to facilitate “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” for Oklahoma Pork’s staff. He has been an intentional and wise board member, and we all are benefitting from his guidance during his presidency.

As we reflect on 2024, a heartfelt thanks goes to our organization's leadership. Oklahoma Pork was incredibly well served by past board president Tom Layne of Enid. As director of human resources for The HANOR Company, Tom brought his keen understanding of people to this role. He emphasized service and embodied the "One Pork" philosophy helping all pork producers to find common ground. Thank you to the wise and witty Tom Layne for your service to Oklahoma's pork industry last year. We are grateful for you; and we look forward to your second term leading our organization next year!

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INTERN SPOTLIGHTS

Gus Ward and Presley Pullen Recap

Amazing Summers on #TeamPork

Written by:

Presley Pullen

As I reflect on my first interaction with the Oklahoma Pork Council as a high school senior, I am filled with gratitude for the mentorship and opportunities the entire team has provided me. Sitting among my peers, listening to Kylee Deniz speak about pork production in our state, I realized my passion for the show pig industry could lead to something much larger than myself. Serving the following year as an Oklahoma FFA State Officer, I used my untraditional introduction to agriculture to prove to students that everyone has a place in this industry.

After retiring the jacket, I knew I wanted to stay connected to the pork industry through the Oklahoma Pork Council’s collegiate partnership with Oklahoma State University. Pork Industry Group gave me a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of commercial pork production and connected me with pork producers and industry leaders from across the state and country.

Opening the door to this internship opportunity, Pork Industry Group truly helped me understand the role our state plays in pork production and the opportunities out there for a small-town girl who showed pigs. Over the

course of this internship, I have been mentored by some of the best in the business, broadened my professional network far beyond the Oklahoma border, and gained confidence in the fact that I am right where I need to be.

Spending my summer with the Oklahoma Pork Council has better prepared me to advocate for pork producers, and I now have new pork stories to share! This internship has been the perfect opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, and I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for everything the team has taught me.

My key takeaway from this summer is this: Whether you’re a third-grade swine showman or the CEO of a major pork production company, we can all find common ground through our passion for pigs and the opportunities these unique animals create. Never did I imagine a $200 Duroc barrow could open so many doors and gift me an entire community of friends and mentors. There are experiences to be had and opportunities to embrace in this industry. Keep saying yes, and remember these seven words:

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT ON PURPOSE. “ “

Written by:

Gus Ward

When I first started as the outreach intern for the Oklahoma Pork Council, I had no idea how transformative this experience would be. From the very first day, I was welcomed into a team that felt more like a family than a group of colleagues. The warmth and support I received helped me grow both personally and professionally in ways I never imagined.

Throughout my internship, I have learned so much from each member of the Oklahoma Pork Council staff and board. Their expertise, passion, and willingness to mentor me have been instrumental in my growth. Whether it was learning about all aspects of pork production, understanding the complexities of agricultural policy, or developing effective communication strategies, each team member contributed to my education in meaningful ways. The environment they fostered was not just professional but also incredibly friendly and supportive. It made coming to work every day a pleasure, knowing that I was part of a team that valued my contributions and was invested in my development.

Being the intern that specializes in outreach was an awesome experience. Having the ability to represent Oklahoma pork producers in a way that gives back to a community that has given so much to me has been a true honor. Helping communities and organizations throughout our state has helped me become a better and more thankful person every day. Whether it be monetary donation, or delivering fresh pork straight to an event, seeing how our industry has positively affected someone has been paramount in my growth as a professional and as a person.

This internship has shown me a career path in policy work that I am super excited to continue in the future. It is an incredibly appealing field, and I am excited about the possibility of integrating it with my passion for the pork industry. My time interning for the Oklahoma Pork Council has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have grown immensely, both as a person and as a professional. The opportunities I have had, the people I have met, and the lessons I have learned will stay with me for a lifetime. I am grateful for the support and guidance of the entire team, and I am excited about the future, knowing that I have a solid foundation upon which to build my career.

AG DAYat the

CAPITOL

SHARING CHARCUTERIE AND INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE WITH AN IMPORTANT AUDIENCE

Every April, the Oklahoma Pork Council celebrates Oklahoma Agriculture Day at the State Capitol with friends new and old. For our board and staff, this special gathering has become a tradition to promote our industry, our products, and our best-in-class giveaways.

To no surprise after two years being dubbed “Best Booth” during Ag Day, Oklahoma Pork’s spread in the Capitol Rotunda for 2024 served as a popular hub for sharing charcuterie samples, distributing fun pork swag, and providing valuable industry information to legislators, staff, and the public. We are always looking for new ways to make pork memorable, so for 2024 we happily followed Tom Layne’s suggestion incorporating chicharrónes into our eye-catching pork spread. This unique addition was incredibly well-received and added an exciting talking point to our booth.

In addition to happily filling bellies with pork and minds with fun facts about our industry, Oklahoma Pork board members attending Ag Day participated in several helpful meetings with government leaders including Governor Kevin Stitt, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Dell Kerbs, and Senate Ag Chairman Chris Kidd.

We extend our gratitude to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry team for their leadership in hosting a wonderful Oklahoma Ag Day at the Capitol last spring. Join us on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, for this year’s celebration. We would love to have you be part of our delicious and informative presence under the dome!

PORK PARTNERS DERBY

Back again to change lives of students looking for their place in pork, the Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby is an annual opportunity for 6th through 12th grade Oklahoma 4-H and FFA students with an interest in pork production but who have not previously showed pigs. Since the program’s beginning in 2023, participants have been nominated by their local 4-H or FFA advisors who have pledged hands-on assistance as the novice livestock exhibitors work to properly raise their selected pigs.

The Derby is a special collaboration among Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma Pork Council, the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE), and other advocates for 4-H and FFA youth in Oklahoma.

Once accepted into the program, students convene in Stillwater for a “Draft Day” in the fall to each choose their pig from comparable animals raised by Oklahoma State University Swine Farm. As big believers in the next generation of swine enthusiasts, Oklahoma Pork’s board voted to sponsor $250 per enrolled student to cover the purchase cost of their Derby pigs over the last two years.

Then throughout the spring show season, students keep a record book about their animal as they care for their Derby pigs at their own homes or at their local 4-H and FFA barns. Derby participants can exhibit their animals at additional livestock shows if they choose, but the Pork Partners Derby culminates at the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) each spring with activities specifically designed for the Derby students and their pigs including a knowledge test, ultrasound scans, and competition classes open to only Derby participants.

The hope is these students will find a passion for pork and consider staying in the pork industry for careers long after their Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby experience.

One Step Ahead

Redefining the boundaries of possible.

Your success isn’t by chance. Neither is our innovation. It takes groundbreaking advancements and continuously improving genetics to produce measurable on-farm results. Our steps forward amplify your success now and in the future.

565+ HAMS DONATED 31,250+ POUNDS DONATED $10,500 IN MONETARY DONATIONS

550+ VOLUNTEER HOURS 3,000+ PORK MEALS SERVED

MIO COLLAB

WORKING WITH RETAIL TO PROMOTE PORK HERE AT HOME

Throughout 2024 the Oklahoma Pork Council and Made in Oklahoma (MIO) Coalition partnered with Oklahomabased retailers including Homeland, Reasor’s, Uptown Grocery and Jumbo Foods to provide over 1,500 free pork lunches to residents across the state. These lunches were served at participating grocery stores often included special promotions where one participant was selected to receive a grocery shopping spree valued between $500 to $1,000 MIO products.

“Community outreach has always been a priority of Oklahoma pork farmers,” said Kylee Deniz, executive director of Oklahoma Pork Council. “We are proud to work with MIO and local retailers to meet with community members, share a delicious meal, show how it is prepared and tell a little bit about where it comes from – which is right here in Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma Pork Council and MIO held events at Homeland Stores in Oklahoma City, Jumbo Food in Enid, and Uptown Grocery in Edmond. Events in Enid and Edmond fed nearly 450 people; while the Oklahoma City event fed just over 400. Across all events, over $2,000 was awarded to shopper sweepstakes winners.

“The retail grocery industry plays a vital role in the success of Oklahoma food and beverage companies,” said Emily Shuping, Executive Director of MIO Coalition. “By partnering with the Oklahoma Pork Council to provide free pork lunches, we have been able to draw hundreds of shoppers into Oklahoma grocery stores, expose them to MIO products, and generate sales for our member companies and retail partners.”

In addition Oklahoma Pork Council participated in MIOhosted retailer events by providing the meat for free pork lunches at Reasor’s store events in northeast Oklahoma.

Watch our social media for fun chances to join these collaborations throughout 2025!

OKLAHOMA PORK AMBASSADOR HITS THE ROAD

PASSIONATE COLLEGE STUDENT DELIVERS 10 “WORK IN PORK” TALKS ACROSS THE STATE

Oklahoma Pork Council’s Spring 2024 Ambassador, Molly Buckmaster, went on a mission to spread the word about the exciting opportunities in Oklahoma’s pork industry. After assisting Oklahoma Pork at a variety of events, Molly traveled across the state engaging with FFA chapters and communities to share her passion for the pork industry.

With grant funding from the National Pork Board, the Oklahoma Pork team drafted a strategy to visit 10 FFA chapters across the state leading up to the Oklahoma FFA Convention. Molly created a presentation to educate students on the broad range of jobs available throughout pork production - regardless of their experience with pigs or their educational goals.

Molly opened each presentation by discussing her background within the Oklahoma pork industry and talked about how Oklahoma Pork serves the state. She then dove into the possible career opportunities available within pork. Molly also shared the four steps of preparing students for success in internships, job shadowing and other career opportunities, and demonstrated how to build a proper resume. Molly ended each presentation by handing out Oklahoma Pork branded backpacks, hats, gift cards, squishy pigs and stickers.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to pour back into the community and the industry that built me into the person I am today and helped me find my place in life. I am excited to share with each FFA chapter the other side of the agricultural and pork industry,” Molly shared.

Our team thanks Molly for her service as the 2024 Oklahoma Pork Ambassador!

IT TAKES A TEAM

MATTI AND SHAY CREATE A FANTASTIC TOOL TO ACCURATELY TEACH KIDS ABOUT PIG FARMING

Over the past several years, the Oklahoma Pork Council has participated in “Read an Accurate Agriculture Book Week” each September to help introduce children to more realistic content about the food and fiber system. Although many books exist about pigs, our team noticed a gap of available options that expose young readers to the science of modern pig farming. So instead of simply wishing better options existed, Oklahoma Pork’s Matti Carlile chose to take action.

“I’ve had the idea to write a children’s book for quite some time,” Matti shared. “At the end of last year, I decided to bring it to reality. This book is an educational tool for students to learn about the pork industry.”

Matti spent several months researching and drafting a story that walks readers through a commercial sow operation at an appropriate reading level for elementary students. The book also includes a glossary of important pork-specific vocabulary words like biosecurity, farrowing, veterinarian, and more. Matti’s story reinforces the hard work, skill, and collaboration required within pork production in an approachable way.

When it came time to bring Matti’s words to life, she found an incredible partner in Oklahoma Pork’s Shay Stegmann. Shay’s stunning on-farm photography and

graphic design talent truly made “It Takes A Team: Pigs and Their Caretakers” beautiful. Together, Matti and Shay have created a fun avenue for all of us to more easily share the pigs to pork story with the next generation of consumers.

Congratulations to Matti and Shay on this special accomplishment. The Oklahoma Pork Council also thanks Dr. Brooke Kitting, Antonio Santiago, and the crew at Seaboard Farm 49 for being stars of this story. We cannot wait to see all the ways “It Takes A Team” gets used to highlight Oklahoma pork production in a whole new way. Call us to order your copy today!

TORNADO OUTREACH

IN

THE WAKE OF THE TORNADO OUTBREAK THAT STRUCK THE EASTERN SIDE OF OUR STATE DURING SPRING OF 2024,

THE OKLAHOMA

PORK COUNCIL MOBILIZED SWIFTLY TO AID AFFECTED COMMUNITIES.

Marietta: Oklahoma Pork President Joe Locke fired up the Oklahoma Pork smoker to prepare and serve pork meals for his hometown of Marietta. Starting on Sunday at noon, Joe cooked tirelessly into Monday providing muchneeded warm meals to residents following the local tornado.

Holdenville: Oklahoma Pork Council board members Rich Robinson and Angie Johnson collaborated on a free pork lunch for the Holdenville community immediately after some pig farms in the Holdenville area experienced structural damage from a tornado.

Sulphur: Recognizing Sulphur as one of the hardest-hit communities in the state, Oklahoma Pork collaborated with Operation BBQ Relief to provide a free pork lunch for hundreds of impacted citizens. But, we did not stop there. Understanding the ongoing need, Oklahoma Pork arranged for additional support by securing a refrigerated truck from the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to stay in Sulphur for the week, and specifically routed a Ben E. Keith truck to the Sulphur Walmart parking lot with 10 cases of pork loins and 10 cases of pork butts resulting in thousands of additional pork meals being prepared by Operation BBQ Relief for the Sulphur community.

When hard times hit, pig farmers show up. Call us to assist if a tragedy occurs in your community!

PORK CONGRESS

PANELS DIVE INTO FOUR AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE PORK INDUSTRY

With a packed schedule including five expert panels throughout the day, the 2024 Oklahoma Pork Congress thought leadership programming covered a diverse range of topics at lightning speed. After our Oklahoma Pork staff provided an overview panel into the four strategic intentions we focus on each day, four one-hour sessions dug deeper into each intention and engaged the full room. Below are just a few takeaways our staff jotted down from the great conversations with our members at last summer’s Pork Congress.

Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) Preparedness panel takeaways: (1) We need all-in participation in the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) for a comprehensive disease plan as a swine industry; (2) We must continue to bridge the gap between segments of pork production, as our “One Pork” efforts are helping but there is still work to be done engaging the show pig community; and (3) Biosecurity is more important than ever before - we cannot get complacent as threats continue and herd health takes vigilance from all of us.

Image Enhancement panel takeaways: (1) We need to be open and transparent with consumers about what happens on the farm as this story continues to impact buying decisions and trust; (2) There is an opportunity to reshape the story when it comes to pork nutrition and give confidence to consumers as they choose pork for their plates; and (3) Our campaigns to give back in communities throughout the state do make a difference, and that work is important to continue.

Workforce at All Levels panel takeaways: (1) Oklahoma Pork and our members can be intentional as we recruit for #TeamPork beyond company specific efforts; (2) Hands-on experiences are key for setting students up for success in post-highschool and post-college roles; (3) Internships are transformational for career readiness, and we need more offered within pork; (4) As we recruit talent, we must also think long-term about what technologies are here to stay and how they can change our industry; and (5) The world is run by those who show up and get involved. Be part of the solution!

Freedom to Operate panel takeaways: (1) Oklahoma has great agriculture support in top government positions, but we are not at all safe from animal activism. The threat is broader than bills or ballot measures, and we have a well funded opposition here in the state; (2) We do have proactive wins and work happening in Oklahoma and beyond, including legislation to protect agriculture and efforts to reform the initiative petition process; (3) The science is on our side, but we also have to continue growing the compelling emotional story to share with policymakers and consumers; and (4) On-farm technology can help us stretch and recruit our workforce while offering flexibility for farms to navigate business decisions while helping us win with government partners.

Thank you to the many talented folks who spoke on these topics during Pork Congress, and thanks to all our attendees who provided additional insight. Join us in Oklahoma City on Friday, August 1st, 2025, for the next “BestDaytobeanOklahomaPigFarmer!”

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GOOD PORK, GOOD PAIRINGS, AND GOOD PEOPLE

In November, the Oklahoma Pork Council hosted one of our most beloved annual events with great views both inside and outside the VAST grand dining room. Surveying the sold-out crowd during Bacon and Bourbon showed countless smiles as pig farmers and friends enjoyed a sparkling night of comradery. Thenonce the early evening storms cleared away - the view from VAST’s 50th floor revealed the breathtaking night lights of the Oklahoma City skyline.

The five-course pork meal created by VAST chef Paul Langer was noted as one of the best in recent memory. From Pork Belly Reuben and Bacon Upside-Down Cake to Smoked Pork Loin and a Bacon-Chocolate Browniethere was no shortage of pork throughout the evening. Each course was expertly paired with a Penelope Bourbon selected by Republic National Distribution Company’s Bruce Upthegrove.

As an important fundraiser for our political advocacy throughout the year, we rely on Bacon and Bourbon to help us advocate for farmers at the State Capitol and Washington, DC.

Mark your calendar now to join us Friday, November 7, 2025, for another amazing night!

GOLF TOURNAMENT CONTINUES TO BRING INDUSTRY TOGETHER

Is there a better way to end a great week than a sunny day of fun with fellow pork producers? On a beautiful Friday, dozens of members and friends enjoyed camaraderie at the annual “Oklahoma Pork Open” Golf Tournament in Hennessey last October. Nineteen teams representing a diverse cross-section of our state’s pork industry finished their runs through Hennessy’s Turkey Creek Golf Course.

Highlights of our special day included perfect fall weather, a delicious pulled pork lunch catered by Head Country BBQ, epic Oklahoma Pork prizes, and countless laughs with friends across the industry.

Our annual golf tournament would not be possible without the generous support of more than 20 organizations that sponsored the event. Oklahoma Pork’s staff and board enjoyed meeting so many of our allied industry representatives, and our team looks forward to continuing to grow those relationships.

Special thanks go to event-planning pro Matti Carlile of Oklahoma Pork for her months of detailed preparation to make the golf tournament a success.

EXCELLENCEAwarded

In 2018, the Oklahoma Pork Council Excellence Award was established to recognize those pork producers who have made the daily work of raising pigs more than just a job, but a passionate calling to take care of their animals and the people around them. This award covers all sectorsofporkproduction,anditrewardsthoseoutstandingproducers who excel in at least one of Oklahoma Pork’s four strategic intentions. At the 2024 Pork Congress, these three exemplary producers were named 2024 Excellence Award Recipients

ASH DENNIE

For more than 15 years, Ash Dennie has served Oklahoma’s pork industry with a true talent for animal care and farm management. Growing up in Holdenville, he began by helping part-time at a local pig farm through high school before opening Ran-Mar Farms with his family in 2012.

As co-owner and manager of the now 2,400 head sow farm, Ash oversees all aspects of raising “our girls” as he affectionately refers to the Ran-Mar pigs. Under his management, Ran-Mar Farms expanded their operation while minimizing disease and retaining a consistent group of farm employees. He has a keen eye for animal health and has earned a great reputation for quality animals in partnership with Tyson’s Pork Group. Ash is known not only for his hands-on skills caring for the herd, but also for his impressive maintenance roles ranging from electrician to carpenter and much more.

In addition to his dedication to the farm, Ash is an incredibly present father and new grandfather. He continually makes his family a priority, all while juggling the many roles that come with running a successful hog farm.

KELLY HAYMAKER RYAN SITES

Throughout her 20-year career with The HANOR Company, Kelly Haymaker has become known for her deep love of her boars, her strong commitment to biosecurity, and her focus on continuous improvement. She began her pork career in HANOR’s sow farms before spending nearly two decades managing the 200 animals housed at the company’s Ames Boar Stud location.

As a boar stud manager, Kelly makes it her mission to provide the best possible care to her pigs every day. She oversees a fourperson team that produces high quality semen used throughout HANOR’s Oklahoma operations. She holds all employees and visitors to the highest level of accountability for herd health, and she continually challenges the system to better prevent disease entry on HANOR farms. Kelly serves as an excellent role model for treating your pigs and people with genuine care.

Over the course of his lifetime, Ryan Sites has served the pork industry in a variety of impactful roles. After judging livestock at Oklahoma State University, Ryan began his career as an agricultural education instructor in Elgin.

Then in 2006, he joined Show-Rite as a national swine support specialist where he helps hundreds of young people in the show pig community with feeding, fitting, and more. He leads educational clinics throughout the United States and sees raising pigs as the perfect opportunity to teach young people valuable life skills. Ryan is also a respected swine evaluator, often being called upon to judge pig shows at every level.

Alongside his wife and son, Ryan operates Sites Livestock raising Chester Whites, Durocs and crosses. He is widely respected for his strong character and serves as a dedicated mentor to many families with a passion for pork.

CLAY MEEKS

Clay Meeks has dedicated his life to service within the pork industry and beyond. Over the past five decades, he has set a superb example as a pork producer, community leader, and family man deserving of Oklahoma Pork’s prestigious Hall of Fame Award. Clay was raised on a ranch near Broken Bow before becoming the first person in his family to pursue a college degree. He attended Murray State College, then went on to Oklahoma State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. During his time at OSU, Clay lived and worked at the OSU Swine Farm where he gained firsthand knowledge to one day run his own high-quality pig herd.

After graduation, Clay increased his expertise by managing hog farms for Tyson Foods in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Then in partnership with his beloved wife Kimberly, Clay established Meeks Family Farms near Wetumka where the family maintained a farrowing

unit and beef cattle operation for the past 38 years. Throughout his many years in pork production, Clay earned a reputation for integrity, advocacy, and excellence. He became known as “theguytobeat” in Tyson’s monthly production rankings, holding various records throughout his tenure and receiving several noteworthy accolades throughout the broader industry. Now grown, Clay and Kimberly’s children Kayla and Kevin treasure the core values instilled by their parents while working together to raise pigs.

Clay recently retired from pork production after nearly 40 years of heartfelt dedication to the Meeks swine herd. Without question, his legacy will continue as a staunch advocate for the industry and an excellent role model within the agriculture community.

The Oklahoma Pork Council celebrates Clay on this lifetime of service to the industry!

2024 Oklahoma Pork Council Hall of Fame Inductee

TREAT PERFECT TIMING and a

EDUCATING OKLAHOMA’S EXPANSIVE SHOW PIG COMMUNITY

At the 2024 “Perfect Timing” pig sale, we had an unforgettable evening connecting with show pig breeders and showcasing Oklahoma Pork’s work in foreign animal disease preparedness. Our team, led by Matti Carlile, shared insights on foreign animal disease preparedness including our partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to support U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan enrollment, and highlighted our youth biosecurity video series. And, of course, our made-to-order midnight omelet bar kept the crowd going late into the night! We served up 225 omelets featuring Blue & Gold Sausage, bacon, and ham. What a night bridging the gap on segments of our industry!

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ON THE U.S. SHIP NATIONAL STAGE Oklahomans

WORKING ACROSS THE INDUSTRY TO KEEP OUR SWINE HERD SAFE

At this September’s United States Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) House of Delegates meeting in Minnesota, 10 voting representatives provided valuable perspective on behalf of our state’s pork industry. As a reminder, U.S. SHIP exists to bring producers and government partners together to create a “National Playbook” of technical standards related to Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) preparedness for African Swine Fever (ASF) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF).

Throughout the multi-day meeting, a few Oklahomans played prominent roles leading discussion related to U.S. SHIP’s key tenets of biosecurity, traceability and disease surveillance. Oklahoma’s assistant state veterinarian (and a fantastic partner of the Oklahoma Pork Council) Dr. Alicia Gorczyca-Southerland shared her expertise during the Biosecurity Site Plans breakout session covering a unique Oklahoma pilot program where she worked oneon-one to create Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plans with members of the transitional swine segment. “Dr. G” - as she is affectionately known to many - also spoke about our state’s collaborative “One Pork” approach bringing together commercial and show pig producers for disease prevention and preparedness. She applauded Oklahoma Pork leadership in this effort, including well deserved shout outs to board member Dr. Suzanne Genova and staff members Matti Carlile and Kylee Deniz. Additionally, Seaboard Foods’ Dr. Noel Williams spoke about his company’s work leading the packer and processor segment of U.S. SHIP involvement.

In summary, our Oklahoma crew felt the meeting was a positive next step in U.S. SHIP becoming a USDA program, which is in progress for 2025. Thank you to each of Oklahoma’s 2024 delegates for participating, including: Pati Law - Prestage Farms, Jay Johnston - Tyson Foods, Dr. Suzanne Genova - Red Dirt Veterinary Services, Dr. Rod Hall - ODAFF, Dr. Alicia Gorczyca-Southerland - ODAFF, Dr. Noel Williams - Seaboard Foods, Dr. Jon Tangen - The HANOR Company, Travis Vaughan - Smithfield Foods, and Joe Wolfe - JBS.

Reach out to Oklahoma Pork or ODAFF if you have questions or input on U.S. SHIP.

Feeding

OKLAHOMA

RECORD-SETTING TRUCKLOAD OF PORK DONATED TO FOOD BANK

Smithfield Foods and the Oklahoma Pork Council closed out Hunger Action Month in September with an astounding 33,000-pound pork donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (RFBO).

As we transitioned from Hunger Action Month (H.A.M.) in September to National Pork Month in October, there was no better time for Smithfield’s crew to give BIG in Oklahoma. For Oklahoma Pork’s Kylee Deniz, this semi-truck full of donated pork marked the largest single product donation in her tenure at our organization.

Smithfield’s donation, equivalent to 132,000 servings of protein, included nutritious pork products of hams, bacon, and much more. The impressive truckload of products was immediately made available to RFBO’s network of partners in communities throughout 53 central and western Oklahoma counties.

Cathy Vaughan, Oklahoma Pork’s board member, shared heartfelt comments at the donation ceremony before she and several Smithfield employees spent the afternoon volunteering to pack meals at the Regional Food Bank.

“At Smithfield Foods, we take the honor of feeding our neighbors very seriously,” Cathy shared. “We are proud of the work we do, and what a joy it is to share our high-quality products with families in need. With hog production operations located in Laverne, Oklahoma, we continually look for ways to give within the local community, and we are grateful to also have broader opportunities like this one to make a huge impact across the state.”

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OKLAHOMA PORK’S BEST-IN-CLASS STAFF ROCK THEIR PIG GIGS

If you have talked to any member of the Oklahoma Pork Council staff, you have likely seen for yourself that we love our jobs serving Oklahoma’s pork industry. Thanks to a passionate board of directors and incredible members across the state, we very honestly consider it a joy to tell our farmers’ stories and champion your good work to help feed the world.

But with our “Dream Team” only having four fulltime members, we often believe our great culture flies under the radar to those outside Oklahoma’s agriculture community. For the second year in a row, that assumption has been corrected as the Oklahoma Pork Council has been named one of our state’s “Great Companies to Work For” by Oklahoma Magazine. Only five organizations were chosen in the food-related sector, so we are proud to be recognized for our work and our culture! Below is a quick reminder of how each of our all-star teammates are here to serve you.

Kylee Deniz brings vision and heart to her role as executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council. She welcomes the opportunity to talk to you about any topic of interest, but she is certainly our expert when it comes to work with both our national pork organizations, our industry’s tactical efforts to combat opposition from animal extremists, marketing and promotion within all segments of production, and recruitment of top talent within our “Workforce At All Levels” strategic intention. Kylee continually devotes time to thought leadership and next generation mentorship, so she will say yes whenever possible to opportunities that help “leave the ladder down” for young people interested in agriculture.

Matti Carlile helps run the day-to-day operations of Oklahoma Pork while also serving as our team’s science expert. As business coordinator, she can be your best help for questions related to board service,

membership, invoices, participation in our signature events, and more. Matti heads our “Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness” strategic intention, so she is a fantastic resource for help with biosecurity education for the show pig community, U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) enrollment, and other efforts related to herd health.

Shay Stegmann brought her best-in-class creative skills to the Oklahoma Pork Council, and she continues to elevate the bar related to our videography, photography, and additional creative assets. As our team’s digital content creator, Shay oversees the look and feel of the Oklahoma Pork Council across social media and more. She leads our “Image Enhancement” strategic intention, which helps to raise the profile of pig farmers - highlighting all the good work you do each and every day. Reach out to Shay if you would consider letting her capture stunning photography or video content on your farm during 2025.

Ashton Mese Johnston often calls this her dream job combining two passions: agricultural policy and student leadership. After spending 10 years working in government roles, Ashton now gets to help lead Oklahoma Pork’s policy portfolio sharing credible information between our pork producers and our elected leaders. In addition to her policy work heading our “Freedom to Operate” strategic intention, Ashton coordinates our collegiate Pork Industry Group program and our summer internship. As our resident “wordy girl” she also serves as the primary author of our weekly digital newsletter. She would love to talk with you about any of this work at any time.

Together, we enjoy working with you in 2025. Please let us know how we can better serve you and Oklahoma’s pork industry!