"Chop Talk" Advocacy Academy
Connecting Consumers Through the Voices of Tomorrow
About the program
The greatest component that we, as Texas Pork, can offer the industry is our young people. Texas youth who raise and exhibit pigs are already among the most passionate, informed, and trusted pork advocates in the country.
Consumers trust people — especially young people — who speak from experience and tell authentic stories. Texas pork brands and processors often lack time or capacity to run consumer outreach — but they do need marketing, event, and education support.
Although Texas is not a large pork production state, our human population is expected to reach 31,853,800 by the end of 2025, which will make us the second most populous state in the United States. By leveraging the power of our youth with the diverse realm of Texas pork brands, we can begin to bridge the gap between production and consumption.
The Texas Pork “ChopTalk” Advocate program is a short-course designed to craft our youth into influential spokespeople while promoting Texas pork brands to consumers.
ADvocate Academy Applications
What will participants do?
The Texas Pork “ChopTalk” Advocacy Academy is your chance to step beyond the show ring and into the real world of the pork industry.
As a ChopTalk Advocate, you’ll:
- - Build your voice as a confident leader who can talk pork — from how it’s raised to why it matters for families, nutrition, and our food system.
- - Team up with Texas-based pork brands to help plan and promote real events, products, and marketing campaigns that make an impact.
- - Share the story of pork your way — whether that’s through social media, cooking demos, or conversations with consumers about what makes pork delicious, healthy, and meaningful.
- - Explore your future in agriculture by connecting with mentors and discovering careers beyond the barn — in communications, marketing, retail, food, and even policy.
By the end of the program, you’ll have the tools, confidence, and experiences to speak up for the industry you love — and inspire others to see the heart behind Texas pork.
If selected, you are committing to participating in two (2) sessions throughout the calendar year in different areas of the state to further enhance your advocacy skills while learning about the retail and consumer-facing side of our industry. In addition, participants will complete a capstone project.
Guidelines
Applications will open on March 1st and will close on April 15th. Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 17 to 21. Before applying, please consider that the sessions will be tentatively:
Session 1: Pork Industry Field School in Austin | June 21-25
Session 2: Our Industry and Beyond in Houston | October 18-21
Selection Process
The selection process consists of an online application with essay questions and a 2-5 minute video submission. Through a rubric given, applicants can earn up to 80 points. Applicants will be scored by the Director of Youth and Communications, as well as outside industry professionals. Once all applications are scored, the points will be compiled and ranked accordingly.
For 2026, the academy will accept twelve (12) students. Applicants will be notified of their status no later than May 15th.
Contact Information
Riley Reep
Director of Youth and Communications
riley@texaspork.org
806-705-6800