2025 Neil Dierks Scholarship

The application period for the 2025 Neil Dierks Scholarship has now closed. Sponsored by the National Pork Industry Foundation (NPIF), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research and education within the pork industry, and administered by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), this scholarship is available to graduate students pursuing careers in agriculture. Please check back in the fall of 2025 for the next round of scholarship applications to open.

 

One $5,000 scholarship is annually awarded to a student who intends to pursue a career in the pork industry with hopes that they may emerge as a future pork industry leader.


To be eligible, applicants must:

 

  1. Be a current or (applied for acceptance) graduate student in a swine program.
  2. Prepare a cover sheet with the following information:
    • Name of applicant
    • Name of school where you completed your undergraduate degree and degree title
    • Name of school enrolled for graduate work
    • Contact information (email address, cell phone number and home and school mailing addresses)
  3. Share their understanding of at least one issue confronting the pork industry today or in the future, including how the applicant would address it.
  4. Write a brief letter indicating what role the applicant sees themselves in the pork industry after their graduate program degree.
  5. Obtain two letters of reference from current or former professors or industry professionals.

 

Essays will be judged based on clarity and expression, persuasiveness, originality and relevance to the topic.

 

Please submit your application either through the online form, email to russelll@nppc.org or send materials in a single envelope to:

 

National Pork Producers Council
ATTN: Neil Dierks Scholarship
P.O. Box 10383
Des Moines, IA 50306-9960

 

Please contact Lucy Russell, NPPC Manager of Producer Engagement, with any questions about the scholarship at 515-864-7983 or russelll@nppc.org.

Full Name(Required)
Accepted file types: doc, pdf, docx, dotx, dot, Max. file size: 600 MB.
Accepted file types: doc, pdf, docx, dotx, dot, Max. file size: 600 MB.
4-H, FFA or Other Agricultural Activity
Organization
Leader Name
Email Address
Phone Number
 
Volunteering
Organization
Supervisor Name
Email Address
Phone Number
 
Accepted file types: doc, pdf, docx, dotx, dot, Max. file size: 600 MB.
Please answer the following questions in a document and upload it in the file space above, OR answer them in the text boxes below. NOTE: If using the text boxes below, please ensure your browser does not timeout mid-application.
Accepted file types: doc, pdf, docx, dotx, dot, Max. file size: 600 MB.
If your current or former professor or industry professional would rather submit their letter of reference directly to NPPC, please have them email it to russelll@nppc.org with “Neil Dierks Scholarship” and your name in the subject line.
Accepted file types: doc, pdf, docx, dotx, dot, Max. file size: 600 MB.
If your current or former professor or industry professional would rather submit their letter of reference directly to NPPC, please have them email it to russelll@nppc.org with “Neil Dierks Scholarship” and your name in the subject line.
Neil Dierks

Neil Dierks Scholarship

For more than 30 years, Neil Dierks devoted himself to the well-being of U.S. pork producers. As CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, he encouraged, challenged, supported, and equipped members as they advocated for trade opportunities and reasonable regulation. In times of trial and triumph, Neil provided insight born from experience and study. With a servant’s heart and unwavering tenacity, he championed the success of producers of all sizes and philosophies. Above all, Neil nurtured future leadership by identifying and elevating talented individuals, equipping them with a variety of skills to serve as resources and decision-makers for today and tomorrow.

Neil’s 2021 retirement created an opportunity to honor his contribution to the U.S. pork industry and legacy as a leader through the Neil Dierks Scholarship.

— The National Pork Industry Foundation Board