Annika Koppes is in the right place. As the newest staff member of the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University, she’s excited to combine her love of pigs with the chance to work with members of the pork industry,

“I was interested in this position because of the opportunity to help educate people about various aspects of the swine industry,” she said. “I also wanted to help promote IPIC.”

Koppes grew up in Iowa Falls and said she found her passion for agriculture in seventh grade by “falling in love with swine.”

She continued her involvement in the industry and graduated this May with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and life sciences education. Now she can put that passion to work as extension education specialist with IPIC.

“I hope to help producers by being hands-on within the industry,” she said. “I hope to expand their knowledge by expanding my own knowledge.”

Koppes works primarily with IPIC extension program specialist Stacie Matchan.

“A majority of Annika’s time will include coordinating the Improving Pig Survivability project, which will help increase the scope and quantity of extension materials we can generate from it,” Matchan said. “Also, we’re thrilled to have Annika on board to assist with some new programming efforts with undergraduates interested in the swine industry. As a recent Iowa State graduate, her experience and ideas definitely will help with these efforts.”

Although she’s been at IPIC for just a few weeks, Koppes' enthusiasm for the position and her responsibilities remains in high gear.

“I am extremely excited to be part of IPIC and invite people to reach out to me,” she said.