Iowa Pork Leadership Academy 

Iowa’s agriculture leadership is built on generations of individuals who have made agriculture their cause, not just their job. The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) recognizes that the future of Iowa’s pork industry depends on developing new leaders who share the same passion.

Travel the country | Meet farmers from other states | Develop your leadership skills 

The Iowa Pork Leadership Academy (IPLA) was created to support Iowa’s pork producers who are committed to the pork industry. It provides them with the tools to succeed as leaders. Those tools include:

  • A working knowledge of IPPA and other key organizations that work with IPPA to broaden perspectives and build coalitions;
  • Understanding and defining leadership styles and how they impact people working together in a group;
  • A deeper understanding of the pork industry and its economic contributions to Iowa, and how that impacts Iowa’s place in the world; and
  • Sharpening written and verbal communications and messaging about pig farming and pork.

IPLA is for men and women who want to contribute to a better future for Iowa’s pig farmers by connecting with their communities, and supporting the long-term profitability of the pork industry in Iowa.

IPLA Past Participant testimonials

  • “Huge learning experience.”
  • “Great eye-opener.”
  • “Overall program does nice job of touching several different aspects of the pork industry.”
  • “It gave me a better appreciation for how our government truly operates to make policy happen.”

Meet the 2023 Class

Here is the outline of sessions IPLA is following this year:

Pork Checkoff Focus—February

  • Identify leadership strengths
  • Understand Pork Checkoff history and its purpose
  • Participate in leadership training

Legislative Focus—March

  • Developing leadership strengths
  • Understand the National Pork Producers Council
  • Identify current policy issues in the pork industry
  • Visit with legislators at the State Capitol

Washington, D.C. trip—June

  • Define policy making process on Capitol Hill
  • Visit with lawmakers to discuss pork industry priorities

Carolinas' trip—September

  • Connect with the North Carolina pork industry
  •  Learn about other agricultural commodities
  • Tour farms, cargo ports, and food processing facilities

Iowa Pork Congress—January

  • Graduation is held during the Master Pork Awards banquet