The 2024 high school scholarship winners were also announced and received their scholarships.

This year, three local young adults will serve as pork ambassadors and help promote pork and the local pork industry. They are Zelli Kamm, the daughter of Andy and El-Mari Kamm of Lafayette; Adam Mages, of Sleepy Eye, son of Greg and Mary Kay Mages; and Shannon Soost, the daughter of Jeremy and Amy Soost of Nicollet.

Soost is a graduate of Nicollet High School and attends South Dakota State University majoring in animal science with plans to be a large animal veterinarian. Kamm and Mages are juniors at New Ulm Public High School and serve on the New Ulm FFA officer team.

Kamm, Mages, and Soost all have hands-on swine experience working with farrowing, nursey, and/or finishing hogs.

Adam Mages, of Sleepy Eye, son of Greg and Mary Kay Mages

As pork ambassadors, Kamm, Mages, and Soost will serve as goodwill representatives for the pork industry, making appearances throughout the year to promote nutritious pork and the local industry. The pork ambassador program is funded through the Nicollet County Pork Producer organization, which works to create demand for pork products and is funded by local hog farmers.

The 2024 high school scholarship winners were announced and each was awarded a check for $750 from the NCPP. Recipients were Lainey Brandt, daughter of Brian and Brenda Brandt of LeSueur; Ryan Hoffmann, son of Mike and Lisa Hoffmann of Lafayette; and Kolbe Platz, son of Bruce and Laurie Platz of Lafayette.

Scholarships of $1,500 were also awarded to the 2024 pork ambassadors for their work. The 2024 NCPP Pork Ambassadors were Mackenzie Moline, the daughter of Rob and Gail Moline of St. Peter, and Shannon Soost, the daughter of Jeremy and Amy Soost of Nicollet.

For more information about the pork ambassador program or to schedule an ambassador appearance, please contact Michele Schroeder, NCPP Ambassador Coordinator, at 507-276-4810.

Shannon Soost, the daughter of Jeremy and Amy Soost of Nicollet.