Pork Leadership Institute taps 17 for 2025 class

Jan 13, 2025

The National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board are excited to announce the Class of 2025 for the Pork Leadership Institute, a premier program dedicated to equipping pork producers with the knowledge and skills to lead the industry into the future. This year, 17 exceptional individuals from across the country have been selected to join the program, representing a diverse group of leaders poised to drive innovation and advocacy within the pork sector.

The Class of 2025 includes:

Colorado – Jennifer Martin
Illinois – Andrew Erickson
Illinois – Randy Kuker
Indiana – Matt Paschen
Indiana – Tanner Smith
Iowa – Matt Thome
Iowa – Mikel Jones
Iowa – Nathan Nieuwendorp
Michigan – Forrest McKenzie
Mississippi – Alanna Paden
Missouri – Brian Gordon
North Carolina – Samantha Raynor
North Dakota – Nicholas Bundermann
Pennsylvania – Weston Specht
South Dakota – Dan Howell
Tennessee – Brian Strobel
Wisconsin – Bailey Fritsch

"As we step into 2025, ensuring the long-term success of America’s pork producers remains our priority," said Bryan Humphreys, NPPC’s CEO. "The Pork Leadership Institute equips participants with the tools and knowledge to advocate for their operations and the broader industry. These individuals are the future of pork production, serving as steadfast voices on the issues that matter most—from navigating legislative challenges to securing the freedom to operate. The graduates of this program will play a pivotal role in shaping a stronger, more resilient pork industry."

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AI, Agriculture & the Future of Smart Farming with BinSentry CEO Ben Allen. Every day, livestock producers make thousands of dollars' worth of decisions based on one simple question: How much feed is actually left in the bin? For decades, the answer has often been an estimate.

In this episode of AgTech with Andrew, I sit down with Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry, to explore how artificial intelligence, machine vision and real-time data are transforming one of agriculture's most overlooked challenges—feed and grain inventory management.
We discuss why some of the biggest inefficiencies in livestock production aren't happening in the barn, but throughout the feed supply chain. Ben shares insights from his career leading agricultural technology companies, explains why AI must solve real business problems to earn producer trust, and offers his vision for the connected farm of the future.

In this interview, you'll discover:
Why feed inventory has remained one of agriculture's biggest blind spots
How AI is reducing costly feed outages, waste and unnecessary deliveries
The hidden safety risks of traditional bin inspections
What separates successful ag technologies from those that never gain adoption
How connected farms are changing decision-making for producers, feed mills and integrators
Why real-time inventory may become as important as precision planting and autonomous equipment

Whether you're a livestock producer, grain farmer, feed manufacturer, ag retailer, nutritionist or simply passionate about the future of agriculture, this conversation offers valuable insights into where the industry is headed.