Internship Program

WPA Internship Program

Objective

The purpose of this 10-week summer internship program is to provide an opportunity for a young person to serve as the official youth representative of the Wisconsin Pork Association. The internship program will be administered by the WPA Youth Committee under the supervision of the Executive Vice President.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be a Wisconsin resident between the ages of 18 and 23 (Must be age 18 by Jan 1, 2026.)
Must exhibit strong communication and leadership skills
Must have a background in animal husbandry
Must exhibit a genuine interest in the Wisconsin pork industry and be able to speak on behalf of it
Must be a member (or become a member) of the Wisconsin Pork Association
Must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel to out-of-state trainings and functions
May only hold this position for one year

Application Process

Candidates must submit the following to the WPA office no later than December 1st, 2025. All materials must be received in the office, not postmarked, by this date. Electronic or hard copy documents will be accepted).

Completed application form that includes 2 writing prompts
Current Resume
Cover Letter

Additionally, candidates may be asked to: Participate in an interview with the selection committee. The interviews will be held by Zoom at a date to be determined.

Responsibilities

The WPA Intern will work in the following areas:

Pork Production – The intern will spend some time working in a swine farm. Through this experience they will get hands-on experience and insight into commercial swine production; from breeding to farrowing, weaning to finishing, and everything in between.
Producer Outreach – The intern will assist in education and outreach to producers regarding current issues and programs and opportunities that are available to them.
Promotion/Consumer Information – The intern will assist in the coordination of the Pork Schoppe including attendance at committee meetings, assisting in managing the event and other state fair-related projects as assigned. Additional projects as requested in foodservice, retail, healthcare, youth education, food safety, etc. These may include presentations, promotions, sampling events, and more.
Communication – The intern will communicate with producers and consumers via personal contacts and group meetings. This individual will also write articles about their programs and projects for WPA publications, such as Pork Express, Headlines, and social media outlets. Good communication skills are desired and will be strengthened during the internship. Must be familiar with social media platforms.
Wisconsin State Fair – The Intern will coordinate the Hall of Fame program at the Wisconsin State Fair, create an educational exhibit in the swine barn, participate in the Camp of Champions and will assist in coordinating the Pork Schoppe. The Wisconsin State Fair is August 6^th-16^th, 2026, and the intern will be asked to be on site from August 4^th – 17^th, 2026.

Work Schedule

During the summer, the Intern is expected to work a five-day, 40-hour work week, under the direction of the WPA staff, in the Lancaster office. The anticipated start date is June 1st and conclusion date of August 19th which will include a follow-up meeting and closing interview.
There will be frequent travel during the internship.

Supervision

The Intern will work with all WPA staff and leaders. The Program Director will coordinate the Intern’s schedule and projects under supervision of the Executive Vice President.

Compensation / Travel Allowance

The Wisconsin Pork Intern will receive a $5,000 stipend that will be paid over the 10- week period.
Intern will be reimbursed for expenses (mileage, hotel, meals, etc.) related to approved WPA travel. Intern must use their own vehicle.
Housing in Lancaster is not provided, except during specific activities when needed.
The Intern is encouraged to seek credit hours for the internship program through his or her school.