Discovering NC Agriculture is a year-long series focusing on twelve N.C. grown, raised, caught, and made commodities. Tune in each month to see how an N.C. commodity is grown, harvested, packed for consumer use and more. Learn nutritional value, find fun recipes to try, hear from local chefs who use that product, and other unique commodity facts throughout the series. We look forward to helping you better understand some of our N.C. commodities and how they impact your everyday lives!
The NC Pork Council supports our state’s pork industry in many ways. In fact, their mission is to “promote and educate to ensure a socially responsible and profitable NC Pork industry.” Since 2021, CEO Roy Lee Lindsey has been at the helm of the NC Pork Council, ensuring they not only help farmers mitigate and manage challenges that come their way, but also that the public is well-educated on the N.C. Pork industry and why they should support local farmers.
The NC Pork Council, established in 1962, is the oldest state pork producer organization in the nation that has operated under a mandatory checkoff funding system since its inception. Current CEO Roy Lee Lindsey grew up in Oklahoma where he fell in love with the agriculture industry and everything it represents. “I am a product of agriculture,” he said. “It is what shapes me and is the foundation of my life.” After working for many years at the OK Pork Council, he transitioned to his current role to help manage the issues off the farm so that pork farmers in our state can do what they do best – farm. “Most of our work is on the public outreach side through advocating for farmers with the legislator, educating the public through events, and monitoring the media to correct any myths or miscommunications about the industry,” Roy Lee said.
So how exactly does the NC Pork Council support pork farmers in our state? Each facet of the NC Pork Council is made up of pork farmers and industry experts that bring wisdom and experience to the table. “Our Board, which is elected each year, is made up of 18 farmers and industry experts across the state,” Roy Lee said. “Additionally, our officer team each year is elected by the board, so they choose people who understand and represent them well.” From public policy and advocating at the legislator, to managing national and industry issues off the farm, the NC Pork Council works hard every day to ensure our pork farmers have what they need to keep farming.
“The NC Pork industry is vital to our state,” Roy Lee said. “Not only does it rank third nationally in pork production, but it also contributes over $10 billion in economic impact to our state. Pork is an anchor for the N.C. Agriculture industry, and therefore, must be protected and advocated for.”
Membership in the NC Pork Council is free for farmers and industry experts. “You don’t have to be a farmer to become a member of the NC Pork Council, but you do have to be involved in some way with the pork industry,” Roy Lee said. To become a member, simply visit the NC Pork Council website and click on “Become a Member” to learn more. There is also an option to become a Friend of the Council, which exists for people who are not involved with the NC Pork industry but want to support the efforts of the NC Pork Council. “We are always trying to gain new members, but the benefits of our membership directly relate to how much effort you put in,” Roy Lee said. “It depends on how involved you want to be. We are an advocate for you as a farmer and industry expert, and provide assistance in a variety of areas, including startup and nutrition management.” Ultimately, Roy Lee encourages those involved in the NC Pork industry to become involved with the NC Pork Council because they protect the freedom to operate for the farmers.
In addition to advocating for farmers and pork industry experts, the NC Pork Council also provides many opportunities each year for the public to learn more about the industry, as well as grow the next generation of industry leaders. “We love sharing with the public what we do and the importance of pork farmers in our state,” Roy Lee said. “Anywhere the public is seeking information about the agriculture industry, specifically the pork industry, we like to have a presence, including the Got to Be NC Festival, NC State Fair, AgFest at the University of Mount Olive, and Farm Animal Days at NC State University.” In fact, the NC Pork Council sponsored the Pig Patch Birthing Center this past May at the Got to Be NC Festival where attendees could witness piglets being born and learn all about the process from an NC pig farmer. “We love working with the Pig Patch Birthing Center at the Festival because it gives us an opportunity to show the public something they don’t get to see on a daily basis,” Roy Lee said. “It also allows us to explain the level of faith and uncertainty that pig farmers go through each year.” The NC Pork Council also invests time, resources and money into educating and raising the next generation of leaders for the pork industry.
The Emerging Pork Leadership Carolinas Program is one of the many ways that the NC Pork Council invests in the future. “One of our priorities is to share with young people the opportunities that exist in the pork industry, and they are literally from A to Z,” Roy Lee said. “We have a few programs that allow us to do this, including the Emerging NC Pork Leaders Program, the Pork Leadership Carolina Program, and our Annual Scholarship Program.” The Pork Leadership Carolina program is of no cost to members and takes place once every two years. Through this program, individuals will learn leadership skills, visit the general assembly, learn about advocating in the legislature and more. The Emerging Pork Leaders Program takes place once a year for high school and college students. This program presents job opportunities, resume building, leadership skills, networking and more. Finally, the NC Pork Council also awards annual scholarships to students attending a college with their sights set on an NC Pork degree and future career. “The pork industry, as stated before, is vital to our state, so ensuring that we have strong leaders in the years to come is essential,” Roy Lee said. “Doing our part to educate, encourage and set them up for success is half the battle.”
The NC Pork Council is leading the way for our state’s pork industry to grow, thrive and flourish both now and in the future. We are so thankful for all that they do to support our farmers and industry leaders. Follow along on their social media channels for more information, and check out their options to become a member, as well as a Friend of the Pork Council, to get involved!
