The National Pork Board announced the opening of the application period for the new Agricultural Marketing Fellowship. Students who are accepted for full-time enrollment in a graduate/professional school program for the 2018-19 academic year are encouraged to apply.

Up to three students will be selected for fellowships of $20,000, spread across two academic years. The fellowship requires students to pursue coursework and research in the livestock and meat marketing areas.

“Land-grant universities have provided valuable educational services to pork producers for over 100 years,” said Dr. Steve Meyer, economist for Kerns & Associates. “I believe that making livestock marketing coursework and research more attractive will draw more students to the diminishing field of study.”

The application form and guidelines for the fellowship application can be found at https://library.pork.org/l/2408f6fb0ca9e94a. All submission materials must be received by Aug. 8, 2018, at: National Pork Board, Attention Bill Winkelman, 1776 N.W. 114th St., Clive, Iowa 50325. Following review and selection, the recipient(s) will be notified by Aug. 29, 2018.

“These professionals conduct important work by providing consultation and guiding pork producers in key decision-making,” said Steve Rommereim, National Pork Board president and producer from Alcester, S.D. “When Dr. Meyer presented this opportunity to the pork checkoff board of directors, we all agreed just how important developing the next generation of leaders is to our industry. The Agricultural Marketing Fellowship will play a key role in that endeavor.”