The Iowa Pork Producers Association is the professional organization representing Iowa’s pork producers. IPPA is your voice to legislators, educators, consumers and key influencers and is directed and led by Iowa’s pork producers. IPPA members include any one who earns their livelihood in pork production. Our members include:
  • Independent producers
  • Contract producers
  • Industry employees
  • Production employees
  • Students

IPPA annual membership dues are $20 for a single membership and $30 for a joint membership. County organizations may have additional membership dues set by the county. Those amounts vary and may increase your total dues anywhere from $25 to $45 for an individual membership. If no county organization exists, individuals may simply join IPPA for $20.

Membership Benefits
  • Representation on the state and federal level
  • Determine IPPA policy positions
  • Communication and information services
  • Educational programs and opportunities
  • Public relations services
  • Local, state and national leadership opportunities
  • National Pork Producers Council membership
  • Free admission to Iowa Pork Congress

County pork producer organization membership
IPPA members can join their local county organization, or directly join IPPA if no county organization exists.

County organizations offer leadership opportunities and conduct numerous community involvement activities such as pork promotions, educational programs, sponsorships and representation to local elected officials and community leaders. County leaders realize the importance of working together to continually remind neighbors and fellow citizens that the pork industry is an essential part of rural communities.

Local pork producer organizations participate in:

  • Educational efforts with local schools
  • Community fundraisers and charitable sponsorships
  • Partnerships with 4-H clubs and FFA chapters
  • Youth scholarship programs
  • Retail and restaurant promotions
  • Joint programs with other local farm organizations
  • IPPA programs and policy development

Representation on the state and federal level
State legislators and our congressional representatives look to IPPA for information and support on key issues that affect Iowa livestock farmers. IPPA lobbyists, producer leaders and public policy staff represent and voice the opinions of the IPPA voting members.

Producer members driving policy
Public policy decisions are made by the delegate body during the IPPA Annual Meeting, by the IPPA Public Policy Committee and the IPPA Board of Directors. Congress prohibits the use of Checkoff funds for legislative issues. Therefore, governmental affairs programs are funded primarily in three ways:
  • Strategic Investment Program (SIP)
  • Revenue generated from the Iowa Pork Tent at the Iowa State Fair and the Iowa Pork Congress
  • IPPA Membership dues
SIP is a voluntary funding program to support public policy and advocacy programs in Iowa and on a national level. The assessment is 10 cents per $100 of value, with 40 percent of the collections distributed to IPPA and 60 percent to NPPC.

National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) membership

All Iowa NPPC members automatically have an IPPA membership.  NPPC conducts public policy outreach on behalf of the producers members of its 44 affiliated state associations. NPPC works on behalf of IPPA members on trade, food safety, animal welfare, animal ID, environmental and foreign animal disease issues.

Communications services – Keeping you informed

IPPA has a wealth of information available to its members. From economic, research and production information to legal resources on livestock regulations, siting new facilities and regulation compliance.

IPPA communicates to more than 20,000 people who receive the bi-monthly Iowa Pork Producer magazine, our in-depth Headlines newsletter and the IPPA News for Members bi-weekly e-newsletter, which updates members on association programs, educational opportunities, and critical regulation information.

Exclusive to the Iowa Strategic Investment Program (SIP) is the bi-weekly SIP Communicator e-newsletter sent to all SIP investors with updates on all state and national policy.

Educational programs and opportunities
Seminars, workshops and conferences are coordinated throughout the year to keep producers well informed of current livestock regulations, new technologies and issues critical to the success of your operation.

Public Relations services
Members have full access to IPPA staff, funding and resources to assist with public relations in rural communities. We’ll write letters, coordinate media tours, develop brochures and literature, place advertising and work with local media to get positive messages out about livestock production in your community.
Leadership opportunities
 IPPA offers a variety of leadership positions at the local, state and national levels. With a producer board, 15 working committees and nearly 70 organized county groups, IPPA is continually seeking progressive producers to lead the association. That’s why IPPA has the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy (IPLA) to develop skills for the next group of pork producers that will lead the industry. Applications for IPLA are taken each fall.
Iowa Pork Congress
 Each year, the Iowa Pork Congress attracts nearly 5,000 producers and other visitors. Billed as the nation’s largest winter swine tradeshow, the two-day event is held in Des Moines and features numerous educational seminars, opportunities to visit with nationally known swine experts and nearly 300 swine industry exhibitors. IPPA members get free admission to Pork Congress if they use the early registration for the show.