$5,000 Scholarship Offered for Grad Students in Pork Industry

Oct 08, 2025
By Farms.com

Apply Now for the 2025 Neil Dierks Pork Industry Scholarship

The National Pork Industry Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2025 Neil Dierks Scholarship, created to honor the former NPPC CEO and his lasting contributions to the U.S. pork industry. The foundation, managed by NPPC, supports research and education that strengthens the pork sector.

This $5,000 scholarship is awarded each year to a graduate student enrolled at a land-grant university who is pursuing studies that directly benefit the pork industry.

Applicants have the opportunity to advance their education while contributing to the future of U.S. pork production.

Applications are due by December 31, 2025. The scholarship recipient will be announced at NPPC’s annual business meeting, the National Pork Industry Forum, scheduled for March 4-6, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri.

For eligibility details or to apply, visit the NPPC website. Questions can be directed to Lucy Russell, NPPC Manager of Producer Engagement, at 515-864-7983 or russelll@nppc.org.

Photo Credit: national-pork-industry-foundation

Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.