MEET STAFF the
KYLEE DENIZ Executive Director
Kylee Deniz has served the Oklahoma Pork Council as executive director since March 2021. As leader of the organization, she works closely with the state board of directors, the National Pork Producers Council, the National Pork Board, and a broad range of stakeholders to promote and protect Oklahoma’s pork industry. Kylee brings her award-winning experience in marketing and communications to her influential role representing thousands of Oklahomans employed throughout the various segments of pork production each day.
MATTI CARLILE Business Coordinator
Matti Carlile serves as business coordinator for the Oklahoma Pork Council. In her first full-time position after graduating from college, she handles a variety of administrative duties that keep the organization running. Matti also works on Foreign Animal Disease preparedness, corrdinates special events, and serves as the primary contact for Oklahoma Pork’s board of directors. Before joining the team, Matti participated in the 2021 Pork Industry Group.
ASHTON MESE JOHNSTON Industry Relations Manager
Ashton Mese Johnston serves as industry relations manager for the Oklahoma Pork Council. In this role, she conducts producer outreach, helps lead the organization’s policy portfolio, and oversees student leadership programming like Oklahoma Pork’s internship program and the OSU Pork Industry Group. Before joining the team, Ashton spent 10 years in state and federal government roles with a focus on agricultural policy and communications.
SHAY STEGMANN
Digital Content Creator
Shay Stegmann serves as the digital content creator at the Oklahoma Pork Council, excelling in storytelling, design, and social media strategy. With a talent for crafting compelling narratives and managing diverse platforms, Shay plays a pivotal role in shaping Oklahoma Pork’s visual communication initiatives. Before joining the team, Shay gained experience working on film sets and at an advertising agency.
TABLE of CONTENTS
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS
ONEPORK.ONEVOICE.
Oklahomans value independence, common sense, and the ability to make our own decisions rather than being directed by government. We believe businesses should operate responsibly toward their employees, their customers, the communities they serve, and the environment. Responsibility and independence are not opposing ideas. They are complementary values that have long defined Oklahoma and our agricultural community.
Those values are lived out every day by Oklahoma’s pork industry. A recent example is the Oklahoma Pork Council’s Give-A-Ham Challenge. What began as a simple effort to help feed our neighbors has become a defining expression of who we are. Pork producers and partners roll up their sleeves, work side by side in their communities, and turn the power of pork into nourishment and care for others. This past year, more than 40,000 pounds of pork were donated,
and volunteers served countless hours. Gov. Kevin Stitt joined us not just in support but also in service, working alongside our team to feed Oklahomans. That spirit of generosity reached beyond our state when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture accepted and participated in the Give-A-Ham Challenge, recognizing Oklahoma’s heart for community on a national stage.
This shared sense of unity continues to matter. It reflects our belief Oklahoma’s pork industry is strongest when we stand together, respect one another’s perspectives, and remain grounded in shared values. Differences in scale or operation do not divide us. Shared purpose unites us.
The Oklahoma Pork Council exists to represent those values clearly, responsibly, and consistently. Much of that work happens quietly and deliberately, but it is essential to the long-term strength of our industry and the communities we serve.
I am proud to serve alongside a committed board and professional staff who understand the responsibility that comes with representing Oklahoma’s pork industry. With clarity about who we are and confidence in our values, we remain focused on doing the right things; the right way.
TOM LAYNE
EXECUTIVE REVIEW
IRONSHARPENSIRON
Recent years have tested Oklahoma’s pork industry like never before. The past year alone brought growth and opportunity alongside real pressure and unprecedented opposition. Through it all, the Oklahoma Pork Council leaned in, learned, and led well.
At the center of our continued success is one constant: the people. The Oklahoma Pork Council staff is truly second to none. I often describe our team members as unicorns. Individuals with best-in-class skills, a commitment to excellence, and an unwavering dedication to this industry. Their talent, heart and professionalism continue to elevate our work and expand our impact.
Our board of directors is equally exceptional. This group is deeply committed to “One Pork,” which is our mission to serve the first-time 4-H exhibitor showing a pig just as passionately as
we support our largest commercial pork producers. The Oklahoma Pork boardroom reflects what it truly means to take off the hat of the brand someone works for and put on the hat of Oklahoma Pork. That mindset is rare and incredibly important.
Add to that the people who work every day on our farms and in our barns along with our members, investors and supporters, and we are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such a strong community.
This is iron sharpening iron. Sharp people coming together to do extraordinary work across our four strategic intentions: Workforce at All Levels, Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness, Image Enhancement, and Freedom to Operate.
I can’t wait for you to see the powerful examples of our people’s work in action in the pages ahead. I sincerely thank everyone who continues to sharpen our staff team, our board, and this organization.
In the year ahead, we will celebrate an exciting milestone for both Oklahoma Pork and modern pork production in our state. We look forward to having you join us in that celebration.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve!
KYLEE DENIZ
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TOM LAYNE PRESIDENT
JOE LOCKE VICE PRESIDENT
DR. SUZANNE GENOVA PRESIDENT-ELECT
ROY CANSLER TREASURER
HANNAH BEVINS DR. DONNA DREBES
JAYE
NEW YEAR, SAME GRATEFUL STAFF HERE TO SERVE
It’s no secret within Oklahoma’s agriculture community the Oklahoma Pork Council staff is comprised of people who truly love our jobs. But with our “Dream Team” only having four full-time members, we used to believe our great culture flew under the radar to those outside agriculture. For a third time in a row, that assumption has been corrected as the Oklahoma Pork Council was recently named one of our state’s “Great Companies to Work For” by Oklahoma Magazine. Only six organizations were chosen in the food-related category, so we are proud to be recognized for our work and our culture! As we begin 2026, below is a quick reminder of how each of our all-star teammates are here to serve you.
Kylee Deniz brings discipline, 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 animal science expert. As business coordinator, she can be your best asset for questions related to board service, membership, participation in our signature events, invoices, 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 enrollment, and other efforts related to herd health for all segments of pork production.
Shay Stegmann brought her best-in-class creative skills to the Oklahoma Pork Council, and she continues to raise the bar on our videography, photography, graphic design, 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 and highlight 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 the upcoming year.
Ashton Mese Johnston combines two of her biggest passions when serving on this team: 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 leadership programming, including Pork Industry Group and our summer internship. As our resident “wordy girl,” she also serves as the primary author of our weekly newsletter. She would love to connect with you about any of her areas of focus!
Bringing together our various strengths, we look forward to working with our incredible board of directors and pork producers across Oklahoma in 2026.
INTERN SPOTLIGHTS
Written by
Chyann Emerson
Spending the summer with the Oklahoma Pork Council team was undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind summer full of incredible opportunities and experiences. Each time I’m asked how my summer with the Oklahoma Pork Council went, I find it to be one of the hardest questions to answer unless I’m given at least an hour to truly describe just how amazing it was. Yet, some of the most rewarding experiences were the moments I got to spend with students.
One of these events was the Big 3 Workshop, where we worked with more than 150 students from across Oklahoma and the Midwest. Students’ knowledge of the pork industry ranged from being around show pigs since they could walk to having little to no experience with swine at all.
When tasked with this workshop, Ethan and I embodied the phrase “Go big or go home” by combining four separate workshops into one. The central message tying them together was “One Team,” highlighted with sports-themed decorations and jerseys. Each station was designed to educate and immerse students in the four strategic intentions the of Oklahoma Pork Council: Workforce at All Levels, Image Enhancement, Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness, and Freedom to Operate. To ensure every student left with a positive experience, we created workshops different from one another, hoping every student would discover an interest in at least one station.
In just 45 minutes, thanks to the incredible help of volunteers, we immersed students in a broad spectrum of what the Oklahoma Pork Council does and share more about our industry. The workshops ranged from shooting basketballs and playing fun family games to hands-on scrubbing and image spotting. The last 15 minutes were saved for a dance party (led by Ethan himself) and plenty of pork swag giveaways. We closed by asking students to come to the microphone and share what they learned, gained, or planned to do next. Students talked about learning the strategic intentions and biosecurity. One student even said they learned more about the U.S. government than they had in high school.
Seeing weeks of planning come together was rewarding and the best part of this action-packed workshop was seeing just how passionate, eager, and ready to learn so many of these students were. Smiles, laughs, and competitiveness filled the day, along with lots of questions and eager learners.
From State FFA Convention to Big 3 to Youth Pork Advocates Day and everything in between, I’ve met and worked with hundreds of students. I can confidently say when it comes to the future of our industry, we’re in good hands!
Reflecting on my summer as a whole, I want to say thank you to the entire Oklahoma Pork Council team, board of directors, and all swine enthusiasts who not only allowed me this opportunity but also made three short months so impactful. I learned invaluable life skills, gained a broader perspective on the pork industry, and experienced growth both personally and professionally.
Blue and Gold Sausage Co. has been family-owned and operated in Jones, Oklahoma, since 1970, helping groups raise funds for their programs. Proud supporter of Oklahoma’s youth and the Oklahoma Pork Council.
USDA SECRETARY ROLLINS VISITS OKLAHOMA
The Oklahoma Pork Council participated in an invitationonly meeting with new U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins while she visited Oklahoma in April. Rollins talked with several key Oklahoma agriculture leaders before she spoke at the AI Global Leadership Summit in Oklahoma City alongside U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Led by Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, the 10 Oklahomans who sat down with Rollins made the most of her time by discussing topics ranging from trade priorities and government regulation to disease threats and the upcoming Farm Bill. Oklahoma Pork’s Kylee Deniz thanked Rollins for her public support of a “Proposition 12 Fix” for pork producers and her team’s work to find a long-term solution to the line speed limitations impacting plants like Seaboard Foods’ facility in Guymon. Kylee also highlighted the critical importance of international markets for Oklahoma pork, such as Vietnam and other Asian trading partners.
Throughout the discussion, the Oklahoma agriculture leaders expressed appreciation for the team Rollins has assembled at USDA, specifically Oklahomans like Alison Slagell, T.W. Shannon, and Riley Pagett, who are serving in influential roles within the new administration. Rollins praised Arthur, Oklahoma’s state-level agriculture leader, as among the best in the nation, sharing Arthur has agreed to serve as an advisor to USDA on state-level issues alongside fellow state secretaries of agriculture from Iowa, Arkansas, Georgia, and Kentucky.
As part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing effort to reduce the federal government’s footprint, Rollins explained USDA’s current 100,000-person workforce will undergo a reduction as part of a broader initiative to streamline operations, reduce waste, and address inefficiencies. She reiterated the administration’s plans to roll back burdensome regulation to agriculture and her shared vision with President Trump is to set our country on successful path for the next 250 years.
CHAMPIONING OKLAHOMA PORK IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Twice per year, the Oklahoma Pork Council participates in the National Pork Producers Council Legislative Action Conference. For the Spring LAC in 2025, Oklahoma was represented by board president Joe Locke, director of sow operations for Tyson Foods; Joe Popplewell, pod manager for Tyson Foods; and Rick Sappington, vice president and general manager at Seaboard Foods. Oklahoma Pork staff Kylee Deniz and Ashton Mese Johnston coordinated the trip, helping prepare our farmers and representing Oklahoma alongside these three talented pork leaders.
Two fun highlights made this D.C. flyin different than others: an interesting collaboration with our friends at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and a special Oklahoma meeting at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Overall, Oklahoma’s LAC participants had a meaningful trip connecting with our federal representatives. The Oklahoma Pork Council remains proud of strong relationships with our elected and appointed officials and fortunate to serve as a resource to help their offices support pork producers.
SHOW PIG PRODUCERS WRESTLE FAD PREPAREDNESS
To help address the Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness strategic intention, Oklahoma Pork teamed up with the National Pork Board to host a second-round African Swine Fever tabletop exercise specifically created to engage our state’s show pig producers after a successful similar event in fall 2023. The exclusive drill brought together national and state experts to share coaching and receive helpful feedback from approximately 40 Oklahomans involved with youth livestock exhibitions.
Dr. Suzanne Genova, who represents niche production like show pigs on the Oklahoma Pork Council’s board of directors, was instrumental in bringing
the right people together for this day of deep learning that took tough conversations from the 2023 drill to the next level. Attendees also benefited from expertise shared by partners like NPB veterinarians Dr. Patrick Webb and Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, National Pork Producers Council veterinarian Dr. Anna Forseth, State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall, Deputy State Veterinarian Dr. Alicia Gorczyca-Southerland, and other animal health experts. In a pictureperfect display of “One Pork” collaboration between Oklahoma’s commercial industry and show pig community, we were also thrilled to have involvement from additional board members Joe Locke from Tyson Foods and Brett Ramsey from Blue & Gold Sausage Co.
Two fun ways the Oklahoma Pork Council included next generation pork leaders into this herd health learning environment were inviting several students from the Jones FFA
Chapter to help set-up the massive tabletop “town” in preparation for the drill; and hosting the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Agriculture Youth Council students for an abbreviated version of the drill on Monday afternoon.
Overall, the experience was filled with thoughtprovoking interactions between animal health leaders and representatives of Oklahoma’s show pig segment in relationship to ASF and other threats to U.S. pork. In the case of a outbreak like ASF, Oklahoma pork producers of all sizes must be knowledgeable and intentional as we work together with state and federal regulators to move toward eradication.
Thank you to Oklahoma Pork’s Matti Carlile for her leadership on FAD Preparedness to plan this event with the National Pork Board!
SEABOARD MAKES HISTORIC DONATION
“At Seaboard Foods, we care deeply about nourishing communities and supporting our Oklahoma neighbors, especially during the holidays when the need is greatest.”
During our month of giving, Seaboard Foods rose to the occasion in an incredible way to feed thousands of Oklahomans during the holiday season. Several Seaboard producers joined Oklahoma Pork and a room full of community partners to celebrate a record-setting 40,000 pound Prairie Fresh pork donation to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.
The donated pork provided delicious, quality protein to thousands of Oklahomans during the holiday season. Our friends at the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma made sure pork producers knew how special this historic gift was by planning a tasty pork lunch, an informative panel discussion led by recipient organizations, and a tour of the recently renovated food bank for the more than 30 individuals who joined Seaboard Foods and Oklahoma Pork to unpack the full truckload of product and discuss the incredible impact the donation would make.
“At Seaboard Foods, we care deeply about nourishing communities and supporting our Oklahoma neighbors, especially during the holidays when the need is greatest,” said David Eaheart, senior director of communications and brand marketing at Seaboard Foods, “Through the Oklahoma Pork Council’s GiveA-Ham campaign, we were honored to donate a truckload of wholesome and delicious Oklahoma pork to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. We hoped this would help families enjoy comforting and nutritious meals during the holiday season.”
A special thank you to board members Roy Cansler and Dr. Donna Drebes for their leadership in the 2025 Give-A-Ham Challenge. Additionally, Oklahoma Pork commends Seaboard leaders, including Davida Gomez, David Eaheart, and others who helped make this incredible gift happen.
YEAR OF YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE The
2025 DEEMED THE ‘YEAR OF YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE’ BY
OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
With a board and staff who focus a good portion of our passion on the next generation of pork leaders, we could not be more excited for this chance to spotlight so much of the tremendous workforce development happening in Oklahoma. From the Pork Partners Derby to Pork Industry Group at OSU and a dozen rewarding opportunities with pigloving students in-between, the Oklahoma Pork Council was certainly up for the challenge of making 2025 extra special for the young people who will “fill our boots” in the future.
“These young people who want to grow up and continue their family’s legacy are our next generation of leaders in the agricultural industry as well as in our communities and our state,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur as she announced the plan alongside several high school FFA and 4-H leaders. “Our hope is that by collectively elevating these young people, we will also create awareness among the general public of the importance of the next generation of agricultural producers and professionals who will help us continue to feed, fuel, and clothe a growing world population.”
We thank Secretary Arthur and all involved in this creative initiative that aligns perfectly with Oklahoma Pork’s “Workforce at All Levels” strategic intention. We implemented a few new projects in 2025 to help pork production be a significant part of the celebrations. We encourage our members to engage with youth in your own communities who could be part of our industry in the future.
PORK INDUSTRY GROUP
CONNECTING WITH NEXT GEN LEADERS
Members of the 2025 Pork Industry Group completed their leadership experience by presenting workforce ideas to the Oklahoma Pork Council board of directors at the Pork Industry Group Banquet at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. The students, board members, and several special guests then enjoyed a celebratory pork dinner reflecting on the fun and educational program during the Fall 2025 semester.
The students shared creative suggestions for addressing the labor shortage within pork, especially as our industry seeks to recruit the next generation of agriculture enthusiasts. This year’s innovative list of student ideas that could be implemented by the Oklahoma Pork Council or by our producers included next generation social media “ambassadors” to produce authentic and engaging content to introduce their peers to pork careers; a life-size, interactive board game for students to explore different pork production career paths; a robust pork industry
scholarship program with guaranteed employment after graduation; and hands-on “Swine in a Box” educational kits for Oklahoma teachers at various learning levels. Our board and staff are excited to use this imaginative feedback to continue evolving our “Workforce at All Levels” strategic intention efforts.
Pork Industry Group would not be possible without OSU’s Dr. Scott Carter who volunteers his time and expertise as our faculty advisor. He is a critical resource as an ex-officio board member and industry expert for the Oklahoma Pork Council. The banquet provided an opportunity to thank Dr. Carter and our campus liaison Ethan Drake for behind-the-scenes support to run the weekly sessions alongside Oklahoma Pork staff the past few months.
As the night concluded, the Oklahoma Pork Council presented nine student scholarships to deserving next generation leaders. Members of the “Operation: Oink” team, including Maysen Garrett, Carmen Kuiper, Brody Wallis, Kyra Cole, and Jacey Bordwine, received the “Outstanding Group Project” award for their “Personalize Pork” educational social media concept. Individual scholarships were awarded to Carmen Kuiper, Overall Outstanding Student; Griffin Henry, Speaker’s Choice; Brody Wallis, Future Producer; and Rachel Swinford, Banquet All-Star. Thanks to Dr. Jared Harshman of Huvepharma Inc. and Tre and Stacie Smith for sponsoring some of the night’s financial awards alongside the Oklahoma Pork Council to these impressive students!
Our team truly appreciates everyone involved in making Pork Industry Group so rewarding. We have cherished the opportunity to mentor these passionate young people, and we look forward to being a long-term resource as they continue their academic and career journeys. We are grateful for countless ways OSU’s work complements that of Oklahoma’s pork industry, and we look forward to another year of collaboration in 2026.
GIVE-A-HAM
HITTING THE ROAD TO SHARE HAMS, HOT PORK MEALS, AND MORE
Although we have turned our sights to 2026, we want to properly celebrate the incredible generosity Oklahoma’s pork community displayed during the 2025 holiday season. After searching social media and checking in with so many of our faithful friends, we were impressed by the totals for the 2025 Give-A-Ham campaign. Our board and staff extend deep thanks to each person who donated hams, pork products, time, or funds during our most recent giving adventure throughout the month of December.
Even though we know not everyone publicly shares their Give-A-Ham involvement on social media, we can confidently declare more than 830 hams, 40,750 pounds of protein, $25,750 of financial gifts, and 630 volunteer hours were donated as part of Oklahoma’s latest Give-A-Ham Challenge. Those record-setting totals mean thousands of Oklahomans enjoyed delicious pork meals because of our industry’s heart for giving, and we have no doubt many additional donations took place in communities across Oklahoma.
Every “Giving Season” the challenge looks a little different, and for 2025 we were especially proud of the broad reach Give-A-Ham achieved impacting all areas of the state. So many wonderful folks joined us to offer 3,000 delicious
free pork lunches in Enid, Okemah, Woodward, Bristow, Tecumseh, Lawton, and Leedey during December. Additionally, Seaboard Foods’ eye-popping 40,000 pound pork donation to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is believed to be the largest single product gift in the campaign’s history. Another new element to the challenge was a generous $7,000 financial gift from our friends at the National Pork Industry Foundation to support local communities through the campaign. Pairing these highlights with special events like 100+ 4-H and FFA students volunteering at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the individual giving that occurred thanks to challenges being accepted by many of our members and supporters, we can say without question the 2025 Give-AHam Challenge touched lives across Oklahoma.
Another extraordinary high point of our 2025 GiveA-Ham Challenge brought national attention to the campaign during the final days before Christmas. Thanks to strong partnership with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, we were thrilled to see U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins accept the Give-A-Ham Challenge with a heartfelt shout out to Oklahoma pork producers and production agriculture as a whole. What a compliment to our industry and to the phenomenal momentum this giving campaign has built in recent years!
Certainly less of a priority than feeding people across the state, but the Oklahoma Pork Council also recognizes an important part of our role is to publicly brag on our members who skip every opportunity to brag on themselves. So, a secondary success of our annual giving campaign includes positive coverage across media types, including TV coverage, printed publications, social media shares, and more. Every chance to remind Oklahomans that pig farmers are great neighbors is a huge win in our book. Here’s to a hugely successful giving season last year and even more generosity and industry pride in 2026!
830+ HAMS DONATED
630+ VOLUNTEER HOURS PORK MEALS SERVED
40,750+ POUNDS DONATED
$25,750
GROWN
OKLAHOMA PORK EDUCATES DIETITIANS ABOUT PORK PRODUCTION
Thanks to thoughtful relationship building with nutrition experts like the “Dirt Road Dietitian” Sheri Glazier, Oklahoma Pork has expanded our reach the last few years to connect with registered dietitians and other nutrition professionals to promote the many benefits of pork to broader audiences.
Recently, Oklahoma Pork board member Cathy Vaughan, executive director Kylee Deniz, and digital content creator Shay Stegmann took advantage of one of these unique opportunities by spending the day with registered dietitians as they learned more about Oklahoma agriculture in Tulsa. The GROWN Conference brought more than 20 diet and nutrition professionals together to learn about commercial pork production, cook a pork meal alongside a professional chef, tour a lettuce farm, visit a coffee roastery, and more. GROWN’s slogan of “Where Oklahoma’s agriculture and nutrition experts meet” proved true throughout the day where our Oklahoma Pork leaders got to advocate and bond with this health-focused group.
For Cathy, two of the most interesting parts of Oklahoma Pork’s day at GROWN were fielding unique questions from this group of food experts with little agricultural knowledge and seeing how many similarities exist between modern pork production and hydroponic lettuce farming. GROWN serves as a great reminder we always have new opportunities to teach and to learn.
A heartfelt thanks to Cathy and our Oklahoma Pork staff members for representing our industry well at the 2025 GROWN Conference.
INFLUENCER PARTNERSHIPS
Throughout the year, the Oklahoma Pork Council partnered with content creators to share authentic stories about pigs, pork, and the people who raise them. These collaborations helped reach new audiences through education, food, and firsthand experiences.
At the State Fair of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Pork Council staff worked alongside the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association at the AGtropolis animal birthing center, giving fairgoers a closer look at modern pig care and production. Oklahoma City-based creators Tiffany in OKC and Adventures in Oklahoma helped extend this message by sharing her experience with audiences beyond the fairgrounds.
Food-focused partnerships further connected consumers to pork in relatable ways. Tulsa chef and content creator Elliott Wilson of Elliott’s Table showcased pork through approachable, seasonal recipes that highlighted its quality and versatility in everyday cooking.
The Oklahoma Pork Council also partnered with the Iowa Galivant, who traveled across the state sampling pork tenderloin sandwiches as part of the “Oklahoma Tendy Quest.” The two-week tour generated millions of views and ultimately recognized 50’s Diner in Broken Arrow for its standout pork tenderloin.
Together, these influencer partnerships helped celebrate pork, educate consumers, and strengthen connections between Oklahoma pig farmers and the communities they serve.
OKLAHOMA PORK AT WPX
After storms made their way through much of the country, perfect Iowa weather prevailed as more than 10,000 pork producers and supporters convened in Des Moines, Iowa, for our industry’s “family reunion” at the World Pork Expo. Each June, WPX serves as an amazing opportunity for Oklahoma Pork’s staff and several of our members to learn from industry experts and connect with strong partners like our allied industry sponsors, national organization colleagues, and more.
The 2025 WPX trip included several highlights, including road tripping with one of our impressive summer interns Ethan Drake during his very first week on the job. After only one day to get settled in the Oklahoma Pork Council office on Monday, Ethan jumped straight into team bonding with the staff and board member Dr. Scott Carter as we trekked north to Iowa for an eight-hour drive avoiding flash floods.
Our crew had meaningful discussion on all four of Oklahoma Pork’s four strategic intentions while in Des Moines, including Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness, Workforce at All Levels, Image Enhancement, and Freedom to Operate. We also celebrated Matti Carlile’s three-year anniversary serving Oklahoma pork producers, a milestone that feels extra special when surrounded by so many friends and role models across the pork pipeline. We also want to give a shout out to our talented Shay Stegmann who captured the WPX fun with beautiful images throughout the trip. We often talk about our “Dream Team” at the Oklahoma Pork Council, and this week provided a beautiful example of each of us serving well and truly enjoying our “pig gigs” together.
A PART OF THE PICTURE BIGGER
OKLAHOMA PORK AT FFA CONVENTION
One priority to understand about the Oklahoma Pork Council is we are unapologetically all-in on the next generation of pork producers. At the 99th Annual Oklahoma FFA State Convention, our crew connected with hundreds of the 15,000 attendees who took over downtown Tulsa for a memorable week filled with blue and gold. Oklahoma Pork’s staff and several pork-loving college students had a fantastic time reuniting with passionate students we have met throughout the year and meeting many more who enjoy showing pigs, eating pork, and/or learning about potential career opportunities offered throughout the pork industry.
During convention, hundreds of FFA members visited our expansive “Work In Pork” booth at the career-focused trade show. In celebration of Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur’s “Year of Youth in Agriculture,” our visual pro Shay Stegmann planned a 1,000+ photo mosaic wall for FFA members to picture themselves in pork while realizing we are each a small part of the big picture in agriculture. As hundreds of students stopped by to participate in building the mosaic wall, we enjoyed countless opportunities to promote our industry and encourage a continued interest in pork production after they eventually hang up their FFA jackets for the workforce or continued education. Based
on the booth’s resounding success, we are confident this message is continuing to resonate with the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Thanks to Shay’s engaging mosaic experience and Kylee Deniz’s best-in-class Oklahoma Pork swag, Oklahoma Pork’s booth was among the most visited in the massive Expo Hall. We also welcomed many smiling visitors who proudly participated in the Oklahoma Pork Partners Derby or one of several “Work in Pork” ambassador visits held at Oklahoma high schools this spring. We shared fun “I make the bacon” friendship bracelets, “I’m a pig deal” stickers, and several other memorable giveaways to help students feel close to the Oklahoma Pork Council long after convention ended.
Five of Oklahoma Pork’s most dedicated college students made our booth extra inviting, so a huge thanks to pork industry role models Chyann Emerson, Ethan Drake, Taylor McConnell, Gus Ward, and Molly Buckmaster for spending part of their finals week with us in Tulsa!
OKLAHOMA PORK’S BOARD VISITS PACIFIC NORTHWEST
When Joe Locke became president of Oklahoma Pork’s board of directors last year, he brought forward a creative idea that became a reality. Joe wanted Oklahoma Pork’s board and staff to travel outside our comfort zones to (1) learn together about a different sector of the agricultural industry; (2) cast vision together for the future of our organization; and (3) bond together through shared food and fun in a new environment.
From hearing about the regulatory burdens faced by fishermen in the Pacific Northwest to seeing workforce challenges recruiting young people into seafood production, our crew experienced the echoing of others with many of the same challenges pig farmers face in rural Oklahoma. While traveling, the board also got down to business voting and making several important decisions during their June board meeting.
The trip was a beautiful balance of fast-paced tours like Pike Place Market in Seattle and laid back camaraderie during curated pork meals hosted by local chefs on Vashon Island. There were several “best I’ve ever had” meal experiences, including a few pork dishes that will undoubtedly be attempted by some of our expert cooks at home.
One of many highlights from the week of laughter and learning has to be how often the conversation would find its way to back to Oklahoma Pork’s role serving the industry and how the board and staff can continue improving as we plan for the future.
OKLAHOMA PORK NAMED “AG ADVOCATE” WINNER
One partnership our team at the Oklahoma Pork Council truly enjoys is working with the Oklahoma Agriculture in the Classroom organization. Housed within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Ag in the Classroom staff pour their hearts into educational curriculum, projects, and tours to empower teachers and increase agricultural literacy in our schools.
As part of our ongoing collaboration, Oklahoma Pork’s Matti Carlile serves on the Ag in the Classroom Advisory Committee and leads Oklahoma Pork’s Ag in the Classroom grant process each spring and fall. Matti ensures the pork industry is well represented in many of their initiatives, including promotion of her and Shay Stegmann’s accurate children’s book about modern pig farming called “It Takes A Team!”
Based on this continued work together, the Ag in the Classroom Summer Conference brought a fun surprise for Matti and the rest of our Oklahoma Pork staff as our organization was named Ag in the Classroom’s 2025 “Oklahoma Ag Advocate.” During the award presentation, our staff enjoyed seeing how many of the several hundred teachers in the audience have been past recipients of Oklahoma Pork-sponsored Ag in the Classroom grants throughout the years. What a visual reminder of how our members’ checkoff dollars are sent back into local communities making an impact for pork industry support.
In addition to the awards ceremony during the conference lunch, Matti and Chyann Emerson, one of Oklahoma Pork’s summer interns, spent the full day hosting a booth for participating teachers to connect with the Oklahoma Pork Council. Copies of the children’s book, information
about Oklahoma’s pork industry, and periodic drawings for Oklahoma Pork Council swag were all a hit among this diverse group of elementary through high school teachers from across the state.
Thank you to our friends at ODAFF and Ag in the Classroom for recognizing everything Oklahoma Pork’s board, staff, and members do to advocate for agriculture through sharing this award. We are proud of our role within Oklahoma’s agricultural community, and we are very proud to work for pig farmers who help feed the world. Teachers, especially those eager to learn more themselves and promote agriculture in their own classrooms, represent a huge group of potential spokespeople for pork and farming.
PORK
CONGRESS
We celebrated Oklahoma Pork’s favorite day of the year as more than 100 industry leaders and supporters came together for the annual Oklahoma Pork Congress in Oklahoma City in August.
As we reflected on 2025, we shared heartfelt thanks to our producer leaders. Oklahoma Pork was well served by outgoing board president, Joe Locke of Marietta. Joe brought decades of production experience and a passion for leadership development into this role, both of which helped him lead the Oklahoma Pork Council through an exciting year. Another special thank you went to outgoing board member Angie Johnson of Holdenville, who served with wisdom, heart, and spunk during the past six years.
With a packed schedule that included five panel discussions throughout the morning, the Oklahoma Pork Congress educational agenda covered a diverse range of topics at lightning speed. Centered on the four strategic intentions the Oklahoma Pork Council staff and board focus on each day, four one-hour sessions dug into a “big question” facing our industry related to each intention and engaged the full room before a staff panel highlighted some of our favorite work in each of those areas from the past year. Here are just a few takeaways our staff jotted down from the great conversations held with more than 100 of our friends.
IMAGE ENHANCEMENT PANEL TAKEAWAYS
(1) Focus on telling authentic stories featuring the people behind pork production to show consumers what happens on farms with a focus on farmers. Show more than a product being made by showing someone’s life work. Most people do not know how much work goes into producing their food, and viewers seek out genuine stories.
(2) Consumers care about how animals are raised, and a lot of value comes from earning trust through certifications focused on animal care and worker safety. We must keep pushing farther out of our comfort zone to talk with people outside of agriculture.
(3) If people are proud of the pork on their plates, they will continue to purchase our products with even more confidence in our supply chain. A win for us would be consumers not questioning what they were buying but instead having certainty in a quality product.
WORKFORCE AT ALL LEVELS PANEL TAKEAWAYS
(1) Pork must be in the consideration set for young people seeking jobs after high school and college. As the faces of this industry, we must proudly share about our work if we want to be a first choice for future employees. (2) Where you start your career does not have to be where you stay forever. We need to mentor people who have an interest in any part of what we do and help show them all they can achieve while growing their pork career. (3) We need more producer leaders and pork advocates like the young people in our Oklahoma Pork circle of influence. Investing in the next generation pays off because there have never been more opportunities than now. The future of pork’s incoming workforce is as bright as it has ever been!
FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASE PREPAREDNESS PANEL TAKEAWAYS
(1) Proper biosecurity and education of our teams remain critical in the fight against disease. We cannot just write our plans and put them on a shelf; we must practice the plan down to the details, so each employee truly understands his or her role in the case of an outbreak. (2) Producers and government officials must work together in advance and when a disease issue becomes a reality. From knowing where farms are located to ensuring samples are properly collected and submitted, producers must be in a partnership with animal health experts. (3) Many lessons can be learned through related situations like High Path Avian Influenza that could improve pork’s preparation and response to disease threats.
FREEDOM TO OPERATE PANEL TAKEAWAYS
(1) We need to be prepared to go into battle against a very real opponent seeking to dismantle modern pork production in Oklahoma. A potential state question on sow housing requirements must become a larger fight of “Oklahoma values” versus “California outsiders pushing their agenda” to be successful. (2) We must leverage as many partners as possible, including friends throughout the barnyard and those beyond our usual network. Help from national organizations and lessons learned from other states can help bring together as many local voices as possible. (3) Oklahoma continues to change. Even in rural areas, we should communicate within our own circle of influence and be strategic in this fight. Working with the right experts and using the right data to deploy messages that resonate is critical to success.
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 throughout the morning. Beyond our board and staff, so many great folks helped make the day successful, and we were filled with gratitude.
BACON & BOURBON
GOOD PORK, GOOD PAIRINGS, AND GOOD PEOPLE
Top-tier company and a top-tier menu set the stage as the Oklahoma Pork Council hosted one of its most beloved annual events in VAST’s 50th-floor grand dining space. The evening offered stunning views alongside meaningful networking as a sold-out crowd gathered for Bacon and Bourbon. Throughout the night, pig farmers and friends shared countless smiles while enjoying an elevated fall evening featuring fine pours and inventive pork dishes.
Several returning attendees noted the fivecourse meal created by Chef Danh Do was their favorite in recent memory. From cotton-candy-like “pork floss” to roasted pork belly, stuffed pork tenderloin, and hazelnut bacon dacquoise, the evening showcased no shortage of pork-forward creativity. Each course was expertly paired with a Town Branch Bourbon, selected by longtime event partner Bruce Upthegrove of Artisan Fine Wine and Spirits.
AWARD WINNERS
FIRST PLACE TEAM
Huvepharma
SECOND PLACE TEAM
Chef Jeff Catering
THIRD PLACE TEAM
DNA Genetics
CLOSEST TO THE PIN
Brett Ramsey
LONGEST DRIVE - MALE
Taylor Hanson
LONGEST DRIVE - FEMALE
Dr. Brooke Kitting
LONGEST PUTT
Tommy Casey
SUNNY DAY WITH FRIENDS ON THE GOLF COURSE
On a beautiful October Friday, dozens of members and friends enjoyed camaraderie at the annual “Oklahoma Pork Open” Golf Tournament in Hennessey. Twenty teams representing a diverse cross-section of our state’s pork industry finished 18 holes filled with enthusiasm and friendly competition.Highlights of our special golf day include perfect fall weather, a delicious pork lunch catered by Head Country
BBQ, epic Oklahoma Pork prizes, including awesome “wrestling style” championship belts, and countless laughs with friends across the industry. Our annual golf tournament would not be possible without the generous support of more than 30 organizations that sponsored the event.
Special thanks to event-planning pro Matti Carlile of Oklahoma Pork for her weeks of detailed preparation to make the golf tournament a success. An additional shout-out to longtime Oklahoma Pork champion and golf guru Rob Richard for his wisdom and coaching throughout the tournament.
IMPACTFUL FIRST-EVER YOUTH PORK ADVOCATES DAY
In an exciting milestone for the Oklahoma Pork Council, one of our newest creative ideas for empowering pig-loving young people became reality. On August 8, we held our first-ever “Youth Pork Advocates” Day in Oklahoma City for almost 40 passionate ninth through 12th grade students.
Using grant dollars from the National Pork Board, our staff dreamed up a jam-packed day to expose this inaugural class of high school students who showed pigs (or otherwise felt a connection to Oklahoma Pork) to the career opportunities available in the broader pork industry.
The students were asked to come prepared with their personal one-minute introductions outlining their involvement in agriculture and passion for the pork industry. Throughout the day, they refined those messages and gained confidence to ultimately
share their authentic agricultural stories into the microphone for everyone to hear. Each participant was then given a special pig pin to wear or keep as a future reminder of their duty to advocate for the industry. Four fantastic break-out sessions kept students learning and laughing all day thanks to passionate planning by Oklahoma Pork’s summer interns Ethan Drake and Chyann Emerson.
Our hope was each participant left knowing more about pork production, feeling proud to be an outspoken advocate for our industry, and planning a personal way they could promote the industry within their home communities. As the day concluded, several students immediately asked for another opportunity to get together and for more chances to connect with Oklahoma Pork.
EXCELLENCE Awarded
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 animalsandthepeoplearoundthem.Thisawardcoversallsectorsofpork production, and it rewards those outstanding producers who excel in at least one of Oklahoma Pork’s four strategic intentions. At the 2025 Pork Congress, these three exemplary producers were named 2025 Excellence Award Recipients.
DR. MICHAEL TRIPP
After graduating from Fairview High School in 1975, Dr. Michael Tripp attended Oklahoma State University in pursuit of his lifelong dream to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Once he achieved that goal in 1982, Dr. Tripp began his veterinary career in Guymon, Oklahoma, before purchasing Southern Plains Animal Hospital in Ringling, Oklahoma, almost 40 years ago.
Dr. Tripp’s dedication to pork production includes his decades-long service as an animal health expert through his veterinary practice and a pork producer himself through his family operation, Tripp Yorkshires. As a veterinarian, Dr. Tripp educates hundreds of client families about animal husbandry, feeding, breeding, herd health, and more. One of his greatest joys is mentoring students from the Baptist Home for Girls in Madill, generously helping with all aspects of their swine show projects.
Throughout the years, he has also shared his expertise through various national boards and committees, including the National Swine Registry Executive Committee and the American Yorkshire Board. Passionate, devoted, and knowledgeable have all been used to describe this hardworking role model within Oklahoma’s show pig community.
SCAN TO WATCH HUGO’S STORY
HUGO HIDALGO PACHECO
Hugo Hidalgo Pacheco began his career with The HANOR Company in 2016 as part of the T.N. Visa Program. After first working for HANOR in North Carolina, Hugo transitioned to farms in Mooreland, Oklahoma, where he has gained extensive experience across the business for the past decade.
Hugo served as a department head and a farm manager before being named compliance manager for the company’s Oklahoma operations. As compliance manager, he oversees adherence to production practices, employee compliance with PQA+ standards, and fulfillment of animal well-being standards. In this role, Hugo is a constant encourager of everyone on the team.
He is known among his HANOR colleagues for being proactive, dedicated, and humble. Thanks to Hugo’s commitment to thorough education and employee support, HANOR has elevated its performance standards and adherence to PQA+ standards during his tenure. We congratulate Hugo for his example of excellence in Oklahoma’s pork industry!
MARIO GONZALEZ MIGUEL RONISS
Business partners Mario Gonzalez and Miguel Roniss began their partnership in 2012 after each immigrated to Oklahoma from Mexico. Despite both having successful careers prior to pork production, they truly excelled once they joined forces to own and operate pig farms in Allen, Oklahoma, through contract agreements with Tyson Foods.
Miguel, who studied accounting and administration in college, handles day-to-day responsibilities related to farm production and employee management on their farms. Mario, who previously owned a local restaurant, oversees all maintenance and business administration for their operations. Together, the men are known for creating an exceptional work environment focused on employee development and success.
Mario and Miguel are fantastic examples of excellence within the pork industry due in part to their commitment to embracing on-farm technologies and being good neighbors to their community. They are continual top performers within the Tyson system, in addition to frequently donating their time and talents to the Allen FFA Chapter and local church.
GOLDEN PIG Award
Whendeemedappropriatebyourboardofdirectors,theOklahomaPorkCouncil presents a career achievement recognition known as the Golden Pig Award. This accolade is reserved for leaders who exhibit a longstanding example of character, knowledge, and dedication within pork production. For 2025, two producers who recently finished their distinguished pork production careers received the Golden Pig Award at the Oklahoma Pork Congress.
JEREMY DICKINSON
Raised in Colcord, Oklahoma, Jeremy Dickinson developed a passion for production agriculture through a multi-generational family connection to farming. He began his pork industry career more than 25 years ago with an emphasis on animal performance and animal welfare.
During his tenure at Tyson Foods, Jeremy played a key role in enhancing pork production through innovation, efficiency, and people-focused leadership. Recently retiring from his role as Tyson’s vice president of live hogs, Jeremy dedicated his professional life to advancing the swine industry while navigating complex operational challenges. He is known for having a heart for doing good work alongside great people with a decades-long commitment to his family and community.
Although Jeremy has moved into a new chapter of life, he remains committed to continued progress within pork production and supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders. The Oklahoma Pork Council thanks Jeremy Dickinson for many years of hard work and leadership in Oklahoma’s swine industry.
CONLEY NELSON
Conley Nelson grew up in Goldfield, Iowa, where he still owns a 4,400-head wean-to-finish hog operation and his family’s Century Farm. He began his pork industry career working for Plainview Hogs before the company was purchased by Murphy Family Farms in 1986. Throughout the last four decades, Conley fulfilled various roles within the company amidstmergers and significant changes in the pork industry. Most recently, Conley served as Smithfield Foods’ Midwest general manager, overseeing sow operations, employees, and contract finishing sites throughout Iowa, Oklahoma, Colorado, Missouri, South Dakota, and Utah.
In addition to his success within the Smithfield Foods system, Conley has passionately served the broader industry and his local community for decades. He previously served as president of the National Pork Board and chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. After more than 40 years of dedicated leadership within the U.S. pork industry, Conley retired from Smithfield Foods in June.
In 2010, the Oklahoma Pork Council established the Outstanding Legislator Award to honor policymakers who help us and our partners throughout the “barnyard” champion pork, agriculture and rural Oklahoma at the State Capitol.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
AMBASSADOR OUTSTANDING LEGISLATOR Award Award
In January 2025, State Representative Kyle Hilbert was elected by his peers to serve as the youngest Speaker of the House in Oklahoma history. During his eight-year legislative tenure prior to becoming Speaker, Hilbert authored more than 40 bills that were signed into law. His district covers portions of Creek and Tulsa counties, including his childhood hometown of Depew and the community of Bristow, where he now resides with his wife and young family. Growing up in Depew, Hilbert was active in FFA, including showing pigs and serving as a State FFA Officer. He earned both a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma State University.
Throughout the 2025 legislative session, Hilbert shepherded the Oklahoma Pork Council’s top priority bill into law – Senate Bill 1027. With his passion for agriculture and his firsthand knowledge of rural Oklahoma, Hilbert proved to be the perfect champion of this bill seeking to increase transparency in the initiative petition process and ensure rural perspectives are included during signature collection. We thank him for being an authentic friend to Oklahoma agriculture.
Created in 2006 by the Oklahoma Pork Council board of directors, the award recognizes individuals who do not work directly in swine production but who havemadeasignificantimpactonourstate’sporkindustryasaloyalpromoterofwhatourfarmersdo.
KYLE HILBERT MADE IN OKLAHOMA
Founded more than 20 years ago, the Made in Oklahoma Coalition serves as a collective voice for more than 100 Oklahoma-grown food and beverage companies. This nonprofit organization is supported by both public and private dollars in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. The MIO Coalition seeks to strengthen and diversify Oklahoma’s food supply chain by assisting locally owned businesses of all sizes with marketing and promotion on various levels.
Member companies of the MIO Coalition employ more than 50,000 Oklahomans, including many proud partners of the Oklahoma Pork Council. Leaders within the MIO Coalition have been active collaborators for several Oklahoma Pork Council outreach priorities in recent years, including our annual Give-A-Ham Challenge, grocery store Shopper Sweepstakes across the state, and additional community outreach efforts like emergency response feeding events after natural disasters.
Much of the MIO Coalition’s work complements efforts done by Oklahoma pork producers, and their proud advocacy of Oklahoma agriculture benefits us all! Thank you to our friends throughout the MIO Coalition as we celebrate their continual partnership with the Oklahoma Pork Council.
EXPOSURE
SPARKING INTEREST IN VETERINARY CAREERS
If you have spent much time with the Oklahoma Pork Council, you know recruiting the next generation of pork producers ranks toward the very top of our priority list. During the summer, our organization enjoyed two fun-filled opportunities to start that recruiting early for a critical role within our industry: veterinary medicine.
Throughout the past three years, the Oklahoma Pork Council has refined our role assisting with the Oklahoma State Fair and Tulsa State Fair “ExpOSUre: Livestock Docs” workshops led by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Oklahoma Veterinary Medicine Association. “ExpOSUre” aims to connect mostly elementary and middle school students attending the fairs
with several hands-on activities to spark their interest in animal health careers like veterinary medicine.
For the Oklahoma Pork Council, the ExpOSUre workshops have served as the perfect platforms to engage with a broad audience of children about important topics like swine biosecurity, commercial production careers, and our organization’s role serving Oklahoma’s pork producers. Between the Oklahoma City workshop and the one held at the Tulsa State Fair, this Oklahoma Pork education pitch has been heard by almost 100 young people with a passion for livestock, many of whom have not otherwise connected with Oklahoma Pork.
The Oklahoma Pork Council is excited to offer year-long partnerships that allow your business to show support of Oklahoma’s pig farmers and Oklahoma Pork. These opportunities are annual commitments that include representation in many Oklahoma Pork activities and events.
• Listing as a Platinum Sponsor at Oklahoma Pork signature events
• Full-page ad in Oklahoma Pork Pages annual magazine Recognition as sponsor in Oklahoma Pork Congress materials
• Oklahoma Pork Open Golf Tournament team of four and hole sponsor
• 8 tickets (one table) to a signature Oklahoma Pork dinner
• Annual subscription to weekly E-Pork Digital Newsletter
• Listing as a Gold Sponsor at Oklahoma Pork signature events
• 1/2-page ad in Oklahoma Pork Pages annual magazine
• Recognition as sponsor in Oklahoma Pork Congress materials
• Oklahoma Pork Open Golf Tournament team of four and hole sponsor
• 4 tickets to a signature Oklahoma Pork dinner Annual subscription to weekly E-Pork Digital Newsletter
• Listing as a Silver Sponsor at Oklahoma Pork signature events 1/3-page ad in Oklahoma Pork Pages annual magazine
• Recognition as sponsor in Oklahoma Pork Congress materials
• Oklahoma Pork Open Golf Tournament team of four and hole sponsor
• 2 tickets to a signature Oklahoma Pork dinner
• Annual subscription to weekly E-Pork Digital Newsletter
• Listing as a Bronze Sponsor at Oklahoma Pork signature events
• 1/4-page ad in Oklahoma Pork Pages annual magazine
• Recognition as sponsor in Oklahoma Pork Congress materials
• Oklahoma Pork Open Golf Tournament team of four Annual subscription to weekly E-Pork Digital Newsletter
PERFECT TIMING
CONNECTING WITH SHOW PIG LEADERS AND BREEDERS
The Oklahoma Pork Council built relationships and promoted its “One Pork” efforts by connecting with Oklahoma’s show pig producers during a record-setting pig sale in Oklahoma City.
Hosted by Oklahoma Pork Council members Todd and Blake Kennedy of Kennedy Ventures, the two-day Perfect Timing Pig Sale brought together hundreds of swine exhibition enthusiasts from Oklahoma and beyond. In conjunction with the sale, Oklahoma Pork helped lead two engaging activities while attendees spent the weekend at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds.
Alongside longtime friend of Oklahoma Pork Danna Goss of Goss Livestock, Executive Director Kylee Deniz moderated a panel featuring next-generation leaders within the show pig community, including Cooper Kline, Cade Childers, Luke Lindner, Mandy Ponder, and Collin Listen. The panel discussed career journeys related to pork production, advice for young people in the livestock industry, and more as we look to the pork pipeline of careers that will need filled in the future.
Later in the evening, Oklahoma Pork staff hosted a late-night omelet bar, complete with pork-inspired toppings, providing an informal opportunity for sale attendees to connect with the Pork Council and learn more about the organization’s work on behalf of pork producers across Oklahoma. The event served as a memorable example of meeting pig-loving people where they were and engaging with them in a fun and meaningful way.
One Step Ahead
Redefining the boundaries of possible.
AG DAY
at the CAPITOL
In April, the Oklahoma Pork Council celebrated one of our favorite days of the year: Oklahoma Agriculture Day at the State Capitol. Led by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Ag Day brings together hundreds of agricultural advocates to showcase our state’s diverse food and fiber system while educating policymakers during the legislative session.
Oklahoma Pork board members Joe Locke, Tom Layne, Dr. Suzanne Genova, Roy Cansler, Cathy Vaughan, and Dr. Donna Drebes used serving at our booth as an opportunity to educate visitors about Oklahoma’s incredible pork industry. As folks hand-picked their delicious pork snacks from our charcuterie spread, we got a moment to share pork’s story in an approachable, bitesized way. Tyson producer Hannah Bevins and Oklahoma Pork’s summer interns Chyann Emerson and Ethan Drake also joined us to promote pork in the scenic State Capitol Rotunda. All together, this biggestever crew of pork industry Ag Day volunteers made an impressive impact serving our industry.
Building on the continued success of our build-yourown pork charcuterie station, this year the Oklahoma Pork Council worked with a new charcuterie vendor called “SAVOR OKC” to offer a jaw-dropping selection of bacon on a stick, ham, prosciutto, salami, chicharrones, a variety of other pork products, cheese, fruits and sweets. In total, Oklahoma Pork’s crowd-favorite booth distributed more than 300 pork-focused snacks to legislators, staff, and Capitol visitors. Additionally, we distributed more than 1,000 Oklahoma Pork giveaways like “The Year of Youth in Ag” tote bags, “Life is hard. Bacon helps.” socks, stickers, squishy pigs, and more.
Highlights from Ag Day 2025 included sharing framed photos from the Oklahoma Youth Expo Legislative Show with several policymakers who chose to show pigs; an interesting meeting with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Casey Murdock about pork priorities during session; and listening into the official Oklahoma Agricultural Day proclamation on the House of Representatives floor.
Thank you to our members who represented Oklahoma’s pork producers at this exciting event, and thank you to our members who produce a quality product that is easy to celebrate!
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OKLAHOMANS PORK FORUM
Cristina Carmona, Travis Vaughan, Joe Locke, and Hannah Bevins. These six delegates, two of whom served in dual roles, represented Oklahoma’s pork industry by voting on policy resolutions and the election of candidates to both the NPB and the NPPC board of directors.
In addition, Oklahoma Pork executive director Kylee Deniz did a phenomenal job explaining the issues facing Oklahoma’s pork industry during forum discussions. Oklahoma’s delegates spent the week thoughtfully considering proposals and leadership candidates that will help move the U.S. pork industry forward.
POINTS FOR POUNDS
With Oklahomans across the state proudly cheering for the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer, our crew at the Oklahoma Pork Council decided to use the celebration as a perfect opportunity to feed our neighbors in need while promoting the pork industry.
As the OKC Thunder began competing in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Oklahoma Pork Council launched our fun “Points for Pounds Challenge” with a friendly wager with our friends at the Minnesota Pork Board. By the time the Thunder were named Western Conference Champions on May 30, a total of 1,139 pounds of pork had been committed for donation to worthy charities between Oklahoma and Minnesota with each pound of pork tallied for every point scored by our home state basketball teams.
In Oklahoma, we decided to share the 600 pounds from Thunder points with our amazing partners at the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City. We were also proud to see our friends in Minnesota make their donation to food banks throughout their state.
As the Thunder competed in the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma Pork Council took the challenge “10X” by committing to donate 10 pounds of pork for every point OKC scored against the Indiana Pacers. Not to be left out of the fun, Indiana’s pig farmers shot back that they would bring “the heat and the meat” to participate, as well. Although our Oklahoma crew hoped they were watching history as the Thunder secured Oklahoma’s first NBA Championship, this engaging challenge helped pig farmers gain recognition for their generosity and was a slam dunk.
$40K invested through food donations strengthening Oklahoma communities
requests for support fulfilled through okpork.org/donations reflecting local community engagement
GIVEBACK IMPACT
17,000
Oklahoma students received shelf-stable pork sticks weekly through the Pork for Packs program facilitated by our state’s food banks
77
counties received pork donations thanks to partnerships with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
901 N. Lincoln Blvd. Suite 308
Oklahoma City, OK 73104-3206