Your Pork Checkoff dollars at work
The National Pork Board Domestic Marketing team released a new report last week, condensing two years of research about how dinnertime in America has changed, how pork plays a role in this new normal, and what this means for meat processors and retail partners.

According to the press release sent by NPB, "Never before has a commodity group generated this level of data on consumer needs, behaviors and preferences. With today’s release of our Dinner at Home in America report, we’ve turned that data into actionable insights around nine different meal occasions our research identified. One of these nine occasions is happening in every home across the country on any given night, and the meal choices are driven by the needs of the household at that moment. How many people am I feeding? How much time do I have? Is tonight’s dinner going to be healthy, or satisfy a craving? The next night, the questions will be the same, but the answers may be entirely different."

The full report is available to you now at www.pork.org/marketing . During the next two and a half months, the National Pork Board’s Insight to Action will provide a weekly deeper dive on each of these occasions.

*If you know someone in the retail or meat processing industries, forward this email to them!*
Nominate a deserving colleague!
Nominations are now being accepted for annual awards to recognize excellence in our industry. The lineup includes three new awards that aim to recognize young leaders, industry employees and industry innovation. For criteria and an application, click on the name of the award below:

The NC Pork Council Hall of Fame recognizes those persons with long and outstanding service to North Carolina’s pork industry and the North Carolina Pork Council. Entry to the North Carolina Pork Council Hall of Fame is the highest honor the organization bestows.

Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year recognizes and honors a pork producer or family who has made significant contributions to the pork industry in North Carolina.

Emerging Leader Award   recognizes and honors a pork producer aged 40 or younger who has contributed to the pork industry in North Carolina and exhibits potential for leadership. In previous years, this award was known as the Pork All-American.

Lois G. Britt Service Award recognizes individuals for whom service to the pork industry and North Carolina agriculture is a passion.

Award for Excellence in Innovation recognizes and honors individuals or institutions for advancing the pork industry through innovative techniques, applications and/or action that include -- but are not limited to -- environmental stewardship, sustainability, research, science and other related advancements in the pork industry.

W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction recognizes and honors an individual who has exhibited outstanding service to the pork industry as an employee of a pork industry company. For purpose of this award, a company may be a farming company, an integrator, a processor, an allied company or other related entity. This award is named for William Warden Shay, who as the first swine extension officer in North Carolina instituted methods and techniques with the singular goal of securing and/or increasing profit for farmers from pork production in the state.

Awards winners will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon at the Annual Conference on March 21.
Annual Conference and Bacon Bash coming up
The 2019 Annual Conference will be held at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills on March 20 & 21. This two-day event will be filled with informative sessions. Planned topics include what we’ve learned from natural disasters, foreign animal disease updates and an economic impact update, plus more! OIC credits will be available as well. Register today !

Wednesday, March 20*
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ag Day Rally Downtown Raleigh
1 p.m. Registration opens at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills
2 p.m. General Session #1
3 p.m. General Session #2
5 p.m. Registration opens for Bacon Bash
5:30-10:00 pm Bacon Bash
Members-only  Bacon Bash  event to raise money for the NCPC Political Action Committee. (Get tickets from a board member or online sales starting soon.)

Thursday, March 21*
7:00 a.m. Registration starts
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
7:45 a.m. Annual Meeting
8:30 a.m. State and National updates
10 a.m.   Break out Session #1 (Choose from two sessions – TBA)
11 a.m.   Break
11:15 a.m. Breakout Session #2 (Choose from two sessions – TBA)
12:15 p.m. Awards luncheon
2 p.m     General Session #3
3 p.m.    Adjourn
*Schedule subject to change. Please check back for updates!
Upcoming events
Smithfield Vendor Expo returns in February
Smithfield Hog Production & MB Grain will co-host the 2019 Smithfield Hog Production Vendor Expo on February 26th, 2019, at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville.

This event will feature multiple vendors from all over the United States and World. Expo admission is free, and includes a complimentary lunch. Educational classes will also be held throughout the day. Check the website for updates on educational opportunities.

This Expo will offer tremendous opportunities for interaction between swine growers, grain producers, and vendors. The vendors will be displaying the latest equipment and technology used for swine and grain production, as well as being available to answer questions.
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