July 28, 2026
Talking about pork and its importance is something Amanda Ostrem could do all day long, and she recently won an award for it.
Ostrem, a senior in agricultural communication and international agriculture, placed first in the Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet at the World Pork Expo, held in June at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
The extemporaneous speaking competition attracted college-aged students from across the country. Contestants took part in two rounds of discussion, with four students advancing to the final round. Each round involved a different pork-related issue to discuss and collectively propose a solution.
Read the full story: From Iowa Pork Queen to nation's top Young Pork Advocate