At the recent Junior Achievement of Central Indiana JobSpark event, Indiana Pork took center stage—bringing the world of modern pork production to life for more than 15,000 eighth-grade students. The goal was simple but powerful: help young people see the rewarding, technology-driven, and people-centered careers that fuel Indiana’s pork industry.
Inside the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career cluster, Indiana Pork’s team created a hands-on, interactive experience that captivated students. Among the most popular demonstrations was ultrasound pregnancy testing on gilts, led by Chad Martin, a well-known advocate for agriculture education. Students watched real-time imaging and learned how science and animal care combine in the daily work of pork producers. The conversation quickly expanded beyond the screen—touching on biosecurity, animal welfare, and the many roles that make pork production possible.
“We want students to understand that the pork industry is more than farms—it’s technology, animal science, engineering, logistics, and leadership,” said a representative from Indiana Pork. “Events like JobSpark help open doors and shape career aspirations early.”
This year’s exhibit was supported by a collaboration of Indiana’s agricultural leaders, including Purdue Animal Sciences, Rose Acre Farms, Indiana State Poultry Association, and Corteva Agriscience—reflecting the strong partnerships that drive Indiana’s agricultural education ecosystem. Together, these organizations showed students how the state’s livestock and poultry sectors are vital to local communities, innovation, and food security.
The outreach won’t stop there. Indiana Pork plans to continue its student engagement at Fort Wayne JobSpark on November 4–5, reaching another 8,000 students. It’s part of a growing effort to build awareness of opportunities in animal agriculture and to inspire the next generation to consider a future in pork production—whether on the farm, in veterinary medicine, processing, or research.
Across the state, the pork industry supports thousands of jobs, from barn management to feed formulation, genetics, and supply chain operations. These are careers built on purpose—feeding families, protecting animal health, and driving sustainability through innovation.
As labor challenges and generational turnover continue to shape agriculture’s future, initiatives like JobSpark are essential. By sparking curiosity early, Indiana Pork and its partners are helping ensure the next wave of producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, and engineers are ready to lead.
In a state where agriculture runs deep, the message was clear: the pork industry isn’t just a job—it’s a calling, a career with heart, and a chance to make a difference.
