Every year, Michigan Pork Producers Association works to bring pork producers together from across the state of Michigan for educational sessions, honoring award-winning producers and to meet with industry representatives at the annual Michigan Pork Symposium. This year's event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Lansing Center in Lansing.

Grace Platte and Wayne Humphreys will open the 2023 Michigan Pork Symposium as keynote speakers.

Platte with Animal Agriculture Alliance will discuss bridging the communications gap in animal agriculture. The topic of responsible and sustainable animal agriculture has received a lot of attention in recent years, but these concepts are nothing new to the American farmers. For generations, farmers and ranchers across the country have raised animals not only in an ethical manner, but also in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. Consumers are hungry to learn more about where their food comes from. Unfortunately, some of the loudest voices they are hearing from include activist organizations rather than farmers and industry experts. This session will empower attendees to be outspoken advocates for agriculture online and within their communities and make a difference in public perception by effectively communicating on relevant issues in animal agriculture.

Platte serves as the first line of contact for Animal Agriculture Alliance members and other stakeholders. She is also responsible for facilitating the Alliance's participation in various events within the animal agriculture community.

Humphreys will also take the stage to look at how our attitude, communications, enthusiasm and sincerity can change the world around us.

Humphreys owns and operates a family century farm in Iowa. As his farming operation grew, he was elected to lead state and national commodity organizations. He recently served as a director of the Washington D.C. based U.S. Grains Council. Under the auspices of the U.S. Grains Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Humphreys has represented North American agriculture in over 20 countries, from the European Union to Chile and from the United Arab Emirates to Beijing. As a motivational humorist, his delightful messages reveal that the best investment is an investment in yourself and those around you.

The all-day event will include breakout sessions that focus on educating producers about good production practices and excellent business management approaches to help them provide an environmentally-safe, socially-acceptable, low-cost source of meat.

In addition to educational sessions, lunch will be served with presentations of the employee of the year award, contract grower of the year award, master pork producer award and distinguished service award. Bryan Humphreys, the CEO of National Pork Producers Council, will also speak during the lunch session.

The day will conclude with a sponsor tradeshow. The full day costs $60 for one registration, $25 for a second registration and $15 for a third registration. For more information and registration, visit the MPPA website or contact MPPA via email or 517-853-3782.