Adam Dohrman, chairman of the Missouri Pork Association has announced Chris Chinn from Clarence, Missouri, as the recipient of the prestigious Chairman’s Award during the recent 2024 Missouri Pork Expo.

Chris and her husband, Kevin, live on the family farm in Shelby County, where she helps manage their 1,600-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation, as well as their family feed mill. They also raise corn, soybeans and hay, and have a small cow-calf herd.

Chris was named director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture in January 2017, where she created the MORE Strategic Initiative to protect and promote Missouri’s agriculture industry. She has worked tirelessly to advocate for Missouri’s farmers and ranchers.

She has been actively involved in the pork industry for many years and served on the MPA Board of Directors from 2015 to 2016. Chris served as chairman of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee in 2007 and was named one of four Faces of Farming and Ranching by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance in 2013. She was a member of Missouri ALOT Class 13 and the American Farm Bureau Partners in Agricultural Leadership Class 5.

Chris and Kevin have a son and daughter, one son-in-law and one granddaughter. They are members of the Shelbina Christian Church.

Each year, the Chairman’s Award is presented to a key individual for their outstanding service and support of the pork industry, the Association, and its members.

The 2024 Missouri Pork Expo was held Feb. 20-21 in Osage Beach. Pork producers from across the state enjoyed a trade show, producer education sessions and guest speakers.