Pork Industry Honors John Parker for Leadership and Decades of Service

The National Pork Board recognized John Parker for more than 40 years of advocacy and leadership.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI (RFD News) — A longtime leader in the pork industry is being recognized for decades of service and dedication.

John Parker was named the recipient of the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award at the National Pork Industry Forum.

Colleagues say Parker played a key role in moving the industry forward, often helping connect producers with lawmakers and ensuring their concerns were heard.

“If you work in the pork industry for any length of time, you’ve heard the name John Parker,” said Pat McGonegle, Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

Those who worked alongside Parker say his professionalism and character left a lasting impact.

“He’s more like a brother. One of the things he taught me was the importance of professionalism in what we did. Today I put on a coat and a tie because John wore a coat and a tie at everything,” said Mike Telford, Executive Director of Iowa Farm Animal Care.

Colleagues say Parker’s impact will continue to be felt across the industry for years to come.

Related Stories
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation joins us to discuss the idea behind the campaign and why accurate labeling on plant-based beverages matters to both consumers and dairy producers.
Cottage cheese sales are on the rise across the U.S., and industry leaders believe interest on social media is contributing to the surge in consumer demand.
“USDA can no longer keep wasting its time and personnel to deploy Commissioner Miller’s infamous traps, which USDA has deployed, tested, and has proven ineffective.”
Even in this strong market, some beef producers are leaving money on the table by not following proven marketing practices.
Tammi Arender takes us to 3 Board Farm to meet some first-generation farmers who took a leap of faith and, in the process, found a new purpose.
“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Tasting events in Ghana highlight potential for new export markets
Paul Neiffer outlines the requirements and when the change takes effect
U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin meet with Ohio farmers to discuss E15 expansion, rising input costs, trade concerns, and the need to move forward on a new farm bill.
For Chrystal Castelloe, farming is more than her job. It is a sense of freedom. The North Carolina Farm Bureau takes us to Castelloe Farms and Sale Barn Farm to learn her story.
Effort aims to reduce wildfire risk and restore forests
Dr. Jeffrey Gold explains how springtime brings seasonal changes to agricultural operations and, with them, renewed concerns about safety, allergies, and mental health this week on Rural Health Matters.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.