DES MOINES, Iowa – The Pork Checkoff this week celebrated four years of its Operation Main Street (OMS) program, offering speakers and presentations to civic groups across the country.

The Checkoff said that the speakers bureau has grown from 15 speakers to more than 600. It said that 2,250 speeches have been scheduled and additional presentations are being scheduled in 23 states reaching over 73,500 people. 

"I view my role as an ambassador and an educator for the pork industry," said Steve Weaver, National Pork Board president and OMS participant.

OMS involves speaker training and a scheduling program that encourages producers to give presentations at local chambers of commerce and other civic organizations about environmental issues, how the pork industry has changed through the years, new technologies, and the ways pork production impacts local and state economies. 

"From the feedback we have received from OMS presenters, the Checkoff developed a Neighbor to Neighbor program," said Ernie Barnes, director of industry services for the Checkoff. "The goal of Neighbor to Neighbor is to empower owners, employees and contract growers to answer questions one-on-one at a local level."

For more information on the OMS program visit http://www.pork.org/Producers/OMS.aspx.

Source: The Pork Checkoff