WPA Pork Mentorship Program Participants Announced

The Wisconsin Pork Association has selected two individuals to participate in its new Pork Mentorship Program. Mikayla Wehrle, New London, and Mercedes Schulz, Dalton will participate in the 2016 program.

Mikayla is a UW-River Falls junior majoring in animal science. She has been involved in the swine industry for many years through involvement in her family’s farm, 4-H, and showing pigs. Mercedes is a freshman at Iowa State University pursuing a degree in agriculture and life sciences education with an emphasis on communications. She is active in showing pigs at county, state and national levels and is involved in raising show pigs on her family’s farm.

The Wisconsin Pork Mentorship Program is a year-long program designed to expand participants’ knowledge of the swine industry through hands-on experiences and job shadows, involvement in pork industry programs, and partaking in Wisconsin Pork Association activities. The program, which has a strong focus on career development, will provide opportunities to network with pork industry leaders, identify future career goals, and create valuable connections with potential employers. Upon successful completion of the program, the selected participants will receive a $500 scholarship to apply towards their education expenses.

Any individuals or businesses interested in offering job shadow opportunities to the Pork Mentorship Program participants, or would like to become involved in this program in another way, are encouraged to contact the WPA office at 608-723-7551 or email mmasters@wppa.org.