Columbia, Mo.,—Kaitlin Kleiboeker, a senior at Pierce City High School, has been selected as one of the 2021 Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors. Her selection was announced during the 2021 Missouri Pork Expo on February 2nd in Osage Beach.

 

Kaitlin is the daughter of Philip and Margaret Kleiboeker of Stotts City. She has a wean-to-finish swine operation, which currently finishes 150 head per year for Niman Pork. She is also a farmhand for Mineral Valley Farm’s wean-to-finish swine operation, and babysits for those in her community.

 

Kaitlin is actively involved in her local 4-H Club and FFA. She was the Pierce City FFA Vice President in 2019, the Area 11 FFA Vice President in 2020 and Lawrence County Stockman’s 4-H Club Vice President from 2019 to 2020. She is also a member of the Cornerstone Riding Club, National Honor Society and FBLA

 

Ever since she was little, Kaitlin’s dream was to be a veterinarian. That dream is now her goal. She plans to attend the University of Missouri in the Fall to major in animal science, then receive her doctorate in veterinary medicine. She has experienced the struggles of agriculturalists first hand, and hopes she can helps pig farmers produce animal protein in the most effective and efficient way possible.

 

Throughout the next year, Kaitlin will participate in various events in the pork industry. At the end of the program, she will receive a $1,000 scholarship, payable to a technical school, community college or four-year university.

 

Qualified applicants must be involved in the pork industry or the son/daughter of a parent or guardian involved in the pork industry, and between their senior year of high school and sophomore year of college as of January 1, 2021.

 

The Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador program combines a scholarship opportunity with the chance to actively participate in Missouri’s pork industry. It provides an opportunity for youth to develop strong relationships with both pork producers and allied industry members, while improving communication and leadership skills.

 

The Missouri Pork Association represents the state’s pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education and public policy. For more information about this or any other programs of the Missouri Pork Association, go to www.mopork.com, or call the Missouri Pork Association office at (573) 445-8375.

 

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