The National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board has been holding their Pork Leadership Academy in conjunction with World Pork Expo this week in Des Moines, Iowa. Hartford, South Dakota pork producer and Nutritionist Ashley Gelderman has been participating this year. She says through the institute they’re able to learn more about leadership, how to work with the media, about issues effecting the pork industry and have an opportunity to take an international trip.

She says some of the key issues pork producers have been dealing with include line speeds at packing plants and the labor shortage impacting agriculture.

Gelderman says their main goal as producers is to make sure their animals are treated properly and that consumers are getting a safe and quality product when they go to the grocery store or eat out.

The Leadership Academy’s main goal is to develop future leaders for the U.S. pork industry.