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Minnesota Pork Ambassadors chosen

Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson of Walnut Grove talking to Mark Dorenkamp at FarmFest 2016

The Minnesota Pork Board selected three young people during FarmFest to serve as Pork Ambassadors.

Ben Johnson of Walnut Grove is a 19 year old who grew up on a grain and hog farm and says his ability to communicate helped him become Minnesota Pork’s top choice.

“I think I did a good job communicating some of the things that I talked about in my presentation (and) my personal interview and things like that.  I think any of the 17 candidates could’ve been selected, and our first runner-up and second runner-up are awesome as well.”

The first runner-up, Paige Hildebrandt of Waseca, was also voted Miss Congeniality.

“I think it is extremely important to represent families who may not have the opportunity to be out in the public.  That is not only conventional agriculture like where I come from, but also antibiotic-free (and) organic producers as well.  We are a pork industry together, and together we fill many different niches.”

The second runner-up is Blake Wolters of Pipestone, who’s looking forward to telling State Fair attendees about modern hog production.

“The actual fundamentals and what goes on at the farm is very foreign to the average, every day person.”

The Minnesota Pork Board’s Ambassador Program promotes leadership and communication skill development through participation in events like the State Fair and Minnesota Pork Congress.

Brownfield spoke to the new Pork Ambassadors during FarmFest.

Interviews with Ben Johnson, Paige Hildebrandt and Blake Wolters:

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