David Berning will represent state's pork producers
By Carol Stender
cstender@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 08/19/2010 9:05 AM
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GILFILLAN, Minn. — David Berning of St. Michael is the new Minnesota Pork Ambassador.
Berning was among 15 youth vying for the title at Farmfest last week.
Others honored were first runner-up, James Roe; second runner-up Aaron Gillespie and congeniality and best essay winner, Caleb Krusemark.
Berning is the first pork ambassador from Wright County in 10 years, he said.
His father, Mark, suggested he participate in the program. Berning is glad he did. He wants to advance his understanding of the pork industry and use his public speaking skills and creative energies to promote the industry.
Berning will be a college freshman at South Dakota State University in Brookings where he will major in agricultural engineering. He hopes to return to the family farm or start his own farm business.
First runner-up Roe hails from LeRoy. He is a sophomore at South Central College in Mankato majoring in agri-business production.
He is the fifth generation on his family's farm and plans to return to the operation, he said.
Roe, the son of Rick and Jean, says he is passionate about the industry and finds involvement in the pork industry offers many educational opportunities. It's important for the pork industry to regain consumer confidence during the recession and to provide a positive image of pork production, he said. He wants to address the challenges facing the industry using media channels to reach the
public and product labeling that shows how carefully pork is raised.
Roe has his CDL and commercial pesticide applicator licenses. He is completing an internship at All America Co-op in Stewartville.
Gillespie of Fountain is the second-runner-up for Minnesota Pork Ambassador. He is an agribusiness and agronomy student at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.
His goal is to return to the family farm and work in partnership with his parents. He is Filmore County's pork ambassador and says it's a great experience to advocate for the pork industry.
"Going to college you learn there are people who don't know anything about farming," he said. "It's a great way to inform people."
He finds the misinformation about "swine flu' remains an issue among his non-ag friends. He believes more consumer education on H1N1 transmission and pork safety is needed.
Gillespie works on his parents' and neighbor's farms. He started a bale wrapping business a year ago and says the experience taught him "lessons you can't learn any other way."
He was awarded the FFA American Degree and has received many other awards and recognitions in both 4-H and FFA.
Caleb Krusemark of Trimont received the congeniality and best essay honors. He is the son of Brad and Rochelle and will be a freshman at North Dakota State University in Fargo majoring in agricultural economics, farm systems management and political science.
"I want to advocate for agriculture," said Krusemark who is also a Minnesota Beef spokesman. "I feel that s producers we are doing a good job but we need to keep pushing forward and forming consumers."
He plans to return to the farm and join his brother in a joint operation, he said. They custom finish hogs and they grow corn and soybeans.
Krusemark is active in FFA and 4-H, is a presenter at Farm Safety Just 4 Kids and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He's also received his FFA State degree.
This was the second year for the contest at Farmfest.