Scholarships & Internships

The future of agriculture depends on the next generation, and there's no better way to get involved than through hands-on experience with the pork industry's most influential programs and events.

Whether your interests lie in event planning, education and promotion, or policy advocacy, explore the opportunities below to find the right fit to help you build skills and a professional network to carry into your career.

2027 Summer Internships

Applications are now open for summer internships offering experience at the heart of Iowa's pork industry.

Applications are due Oct. 16, 2026.

Iowa Pork Checkoff Intern
Spend your summer building experience in education, research, and promotion while working alongside Iowa's pork industry leaders.

Learn More

Iowa Pork Legislative Intern
Get a firsthand look at policy advocacy, splitting your summer between the Iowa Pork office and a U.S. Senator's office in Washington, D.C.

Learn More

 

Iowa Pork Congress Intern

Applications are now closed for this Fall/Winter 2026–2027 position.

This hands-on internship offers a motivated student the chance to be at the center of planning and facilitating the Iowa Pork Congress. The role provides real experience in event planning, industry communications, and policy advocacy, plus a network of swine industry professionals to carry into a future career.

Incoming Iowa Pork Foundation Scholarship — $1,000

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

APPLY

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 arandall@iowapork.org, or mail to:
Iowa Pork Producers Association
ATT. Addison Randall
P.O. Box 71009
Clive, IA 50325.

NOTE: Preference may be given to producer members. Previous recipients may reapply. Members of the 2026 Iowa Pork Youth Leadership Team, 2026 Iowa Pork Collegiate Team, or those receiving a 2026 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

APPLY

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 arandall@iowapork.org, or mail to:
Iowa Pork Producers Association
ATT. Addison Randall
P.O. Box 71009
Clive, IA 50325

NOTE: Preference may be given to producers members. Previous recipients may reapply. Members of the 2026 Iowa Pork Youth Leadership Team, 2026 Iowa Pork Collegiate Team, or those receiving a 2026 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

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.

APPLY

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 arandall@iowapork.org, or mail to:
Iowa Pork Producers Association
ATT. Addison Randall
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.

Jim & Mary Ellen Ryan Memorial Scholarship - $2,000

for returning college students | Due April 1

 

Jim & Mary Ellen Ryan were Delaware County Pork Producers who made a lasting impact on the pork industry. During Jim's time on the IPPA Board of Directors he led and encouraged the passing of the Iowa Pork Legislative Checkoff, which served as a template for the National Pork Act in 1985.

Read more about Jim & Mary Ellen Ryan.

APPLY

Requirements

  • Be enrolled at a college or university in Iowa
  • Reside in Iowa
  • Major in an agricultural-related field with an emphasis on the swine industry OR Pre-Vet with a large animal emphasis.
  • Maintain a 2.5 grade point average
  • Demonstrate leadership roles in his/her local community
  • Submit 2 letters of reference (Letters may be sent under separate cover.)
  • Submit one copy of college transcript

Send letters of reference and transcript to arandall@iowapork.org, or mail to:
Iowa Pork Producers Association
ATT. Addison Randall
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.

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 March 11

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 Addison Randall 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.