Scholarships & Internships

The Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Iowa Pork Foundation, and the Iowa Purebred Swine Council offer scholarships for incoming freshmen and returning college students. Particularly, recipients are those who are planning to or currently majoring in an agriculture field, with an interest in the pork industry.

Applications now closed.

Incoming Iowa Pork Foundation Scholarship — $1,000

for incoming college freshmen (up to 15 available) | Due April 1

Applications now closed.

Requirements

  • Enroll in a two- to four-year college or university.
  • Reside in Iowa.
  • Major in an agriculture-related field with an emphasis on the swine industry.
  • Maintain a 2.5 grade-point average.
  • Submit two letters of reference. (Letters may be sent under separate cover.)
  • Submit one copy of high school transcript.

Send letters of reference and transcript to hspurr@iowapork.org, or mail to:
Iowa Pork Producers Association
ATT. Hannah Spurr
P.O. Box 71009
Clive, IA 50325.

NOTE: Preference may be given to producer members. Previous recipients may reapply. Members of the 2025 Iowa Pork Youth Leadership Team, 2025 Iowa Pork Collegiate Team, or those receiving a 2025 IPPA internship scholarship are not eligible.

Scholarship payment will be made directly to the college or university in the recipient’s name.

Read about the 2024 recipients.

Returning Iowa Pork Foundation Scholarship — $2,000

for returning college students (up to 15 available) | Due April 1

Applications now closed.

Requirements

  • Enroll in a two- to four-year college or university.
  • Reside in Iowa.
  • Major in an agriculture-related field with an emphasis on the swine industry.
  • Maintain a 2.5 grade-point average.
  • Submit two letters of reference. (Letters may be sent under separate cover.)
  • Submit one copy of college transcript.

Send letters of reference and transcript to hspurr@iowapork.org, or mail to:
Iowa Pork Producers Association
ATT. Hannah Spurr
P.O. Box 71009
Clive, IA 50325

NOTE: Preference may be given to producers members. Previous recipients may reapply. Members of the 2025 Iowa Pork Youth Leadership Team, 2025 Iowa Pork Collegiate Team, or those receiving a 2025 IPPA internship scholarship are not eligible to apply.

Scholarship payment will be made directly to the college or university in the recipient's name.

Read about the 2024 recipients.

 

Jim Ledger Memorial Scholarship — $2,000

for a returning college student | Due April 1

Applications now closed.

Jim Ledger (1936–2021) was a Washington County pig farmer who brought passion and vision to the Iowa pork industry. His family established this scholarship in 2022. Read more about Jim's work.

Requirements

  • Be enrolled at a college or university in Iowa.
  • Reside in Iowa.
  • Major in an agriculture-related field with an emphasis on the swine industry.
  • Maintain a 2.5 grade-point average.
  • Demonstrate leadership roles in his/her local community.
  • Submit two letters of reference. (Letters may be sent under separate cover.)
  • Submit one copy of college transcript.

Send letters of reference and transcript to hspurr@iowapork.org, or mail to:
Iowa Pork Producers Association
ATT. Hannah Spurr
P.O. Box 71009
Clive, IA 50325.

Payment of the $2,000 scholarship will be made directly to the college or university in the recipient's name.

See the 2024 recipient.

Neil Dierks Scholarship — $5,000

for a current or (applied for acceptance) graduate student | Due Dec. 31

One $5,000 scholarship is annually awarded to a student who intends to pursue a career in the pork industry with hopes that they may emerge as a future pork industry leader. This award is sponsored by the National Pork Industry Foundation and managed and administered by the National Pork Producers Council.

Learn more

Nelda Christian Graduate Fellowship — $3,000

for Master's or doctorate students (2 available) | Due April 1

Requirements

  • Studying master or doctorate level at Iowa State University College of Agriculture, and conducting a thesis or dissertation research related to the pork industry.
  • Majoring in areas of animal science, ag economics, food science, microbiology, ag engineering, or other disciplines that contribute to the pork industry.
  • U.S. citizen.

Contact Hannah Spurr at IPPA for more information.

Read about the 2024 recipients.

Winner's Circle Scholarships — up to $1,500

for incoming college freshmen and undergraduates | Due April 1

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Iowa Purebred Swine Council (IPSC) provide four scholarships through the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA). These are awarded to incoming college freshmen and undergraduates interested in a future in the swine industry:

IPPA — $1,000 (two awarded)
IPSC — $1,500 (two awarded)

Learn more.

Read about the 2023 recipients.

2026 Summer Internships

Applications will be open from July 28, 2025 to October 17, 2025.

  • Promotion & Communications
    ($3,500 scholarship, $6,000 stipend)
Learn more

 

  • Legislative/Non-Checkoff
    ($3,500 scholarship, $7,000 stipend)

Learn more

 

Iowa Pork Congress internship

($2,500 scholarship, plus a $4,000 stipend)

This fall/winter position involves assisting with preparations for the Iowa Pork Congress, North America's largest winter swine trade show and conference. The event is organized by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and takes place annually in January. Applications have closed for the 2024–2025 internship.