Essays for the Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship Program must be postmarked by Jan. 20, 2012.

Students attending an agricultural college or university are encouraged to apply for one of four scholarships, according to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).

To be eligible applicants must:

1.     Be an undergraduate student in a two-year swine program or a four-year college of agriculture;

2.     Write a brief letter describing what role you see yourself playing in the pork industry after graduation;

3.     Submit an essay of 750 words or less describing an issue confronting the pork industry today or in the future and your solutions;

4.     Obtain two letters of reference from current or former professors or industry professionals. Prepare a cover sheet with pertinent personal details.

 The letter must be submitted to NPPC and postmarked by Jan. 20, 2012.

The NPPC will administer the program, read the essays and select the winners. Essays will be judged on the basis of clarity or expression, persuasiveness, originality and relevance of topic.

Winners will be announced at the Pork Industry Forum March 1-3, 2012 in Denver, CO. NPPC reserves the right to publish any or parts of the essays submitted.

For more information, contact Craig Boelling at (515) 278-8012 ([email protected].) or visit http://nppc.org/Programs/Scholarship.htm.