Youth Ambassadors active at World Pork Expo
By By Jean Caspers-Simmet
simmet@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 07/01/2010 9:13 AM
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DES MOINES — Pork Youth Ambassadors Jason Welter and Sarah Pakala wear navy blue polo shirts that say "We Care" with the Pork Checkoff logo on the sleeve, and they invite people to ask them questions.
Welter just graduated from South Central College in Mankato with a degree in agricultural business. He is returning home to Stewartville, Minn., to help with his family's hog operation and to work for a neighbor.
Pakala is an Iowa State University senior majoring in ag studies from Dike.
They joined other ambassadors from around the country for training and helped with National Pork Board activities at World Pork Expo.
Welter grew up on his parents, Myrna and Randy,'s farrow-to-finish operation. They now farrow 125 sows and raise 600 acres of corn, soybeans and alfalfa. His father works full-time at Mayo Clinic. Welter has six brothers and sisters.
Pakala is new to the pork industry. Her interest developed when she began working for Ed Juhl, who has a hog operation near Hudson.
Both won a competition to be their state's pork ambassador.
Pakala helps with World Pork Expo, the Iowa Pork Congress, the Iowa State Fair and she also works with middle school students and 4-H members.
"I'm educating the public on the good story of the pork industry," she said.
Welter said he does similar things in Minnesota, but he also got to travel to Kansas City to promote pork. He attended the National Barrow Show, the Spring Barrow Show, the Minnesota Pork Congress and will attend fairs, parades and other events this summer.
The ambassadors arrived in Des Moines on June 6 and had several days of training about Pork Checkoff programs prior to the event. They helped with Pork Quality Assurance Plus training for all the young people showing pigs and also carried a banner in front of the marching band for a celebration of PQA Plus certifications.