High school juniors and seniors and college students are invited to apply for the North Carolina Pork Council's Emerging Pork Leaders Carolina program. The program aims to prepare young adults for careers in the pork industry and as ambassadors for the industry. Open to students in North Carolina or native to North Carolina, participants are involved in a three-month program designed to educate and prepare them for career opportunities in the pork industry, and help set them for up for ambassador and leadership roles.

Four sessions will be held – two in-person and two virtual sessions. The in-person sessions will be mandatory for all participants and all costs associated with the program will be covered. In-person session dates will be announced when applications open.

The program is open to anyone currently involved in the pork industry or interested in the industry. The program will be limited to 25 participants.

Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to identify the threats facing agriculture and the pork industry and confidently engage with neighbors and on social media about the industry.

2024-2025 cohort info

Mandatory sessions include:

All expenses are covered for the program. Applications for the Emerging Leaders program are accepted through Oct. 4.