Immersive Swine Industry Experience brought to you by the National Pork Board and Iowa State University
The Iowa Pork Industry Center and the ISU Department of Animal Science are excited to offer an Immersive Swine Industry Experience, set for May 2026. The goal of this immersive experience is to develop undergraduate student exposure, knowledge, skills, and professional relationships in the swine industry, in order to help meet the critical need for trained professionals in the swine industry. This experience will include hands-on farm learning, classroom lectures, and industry networking opportunities. Thanks to the generous support of the National Pork Checkoff, accepted students can enjoy this growth opportunity free of charge to them. Application deadline has been extended to March 20, 2026, 11:59pm.
Overview
There is opportunity for up to 20 undergraduate students from across the country to participate in an all-expenses-paid Immersive Swine Industry Experience to be held in Ames, Iowa May 18-22, 2026.
The overall goal of this Immersive Swine Industry Experience is to develop student’s exposure to and knowledge, skills, and professional relationships in swine management in order to help meet critical needs for trained professionals in the swine industry. Additionally, students will gain the ability to be better connected in business and ambassador competences related to commercial pork production. Students will be engaged in multiple on-site farm tours in Iowa as well as learn and network with industry professionals from numerous companies.
Objectives
- Train students in aspects of swine production through a week-long hands-on comprehensive "Experience" in central Iowa
- Cultivate student’s vision of potential career paths within the swine industry
- Facilitate student interaction with professionals in the swine industry
What's included?
The Immersive Swine Industry Experience will include both classroom instruction and hands-on experiences at participating farms. Transportation to and from Ames, including flights, hotels, food, and all educational materials will be provided. All supplies and expenses for the week will be provided.
The Immersive Swine Industry Experience content to be covered will include:
- Sow operations - breeding, gestation, farrowing
- Wean to finish - Weaning, grow/finish, pig management
- Swine health and well-being management - biosecurity, preventative medicine, housing
- Swine nutrition and feeding, and risk management
- Pork harvest and processing
- Production, environmental, economic and social sustainability balance
- Evening networking dinners with swine producers and allied-industry supporters
During and (or) following the Immersive Swine Industry Experience, there will be additional opportunities for students to network with swine industry partners.
Selection process and how to apply
The extended application deadline is 11:59pm March 20, 2026, and should be emailed to Stacie Matchan at sgould@iastate.edu. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter describing your career goal(s) and how you anticipate the Immersive Swine Industry Experience will be of benefit to you and one letter of recommendation in a PDF to sgould@iastate.edu.
Application does not ensure a spot in the program. The committee will review applications and applicants will be notified of selection within 72 hours. Students from states with limited commercial swine production are encouraged to apply. Other applicants will be considered based on availability.
Disclaimer: It is important that all applicants understand NO swine exposure or international travel is allowed for the week leading up to the program start date. A virtual meeting in April will be scheduled with participants to discuss program expectations and travel arrangements.
Questions?
