ELIZABETHTOWN, KY. — The Kentucky Pork Producers Association and the Tennessee Pork Producers Association entered a strategic partnership to collaborate on issues and pool financial resources.

The associations have similar strengths with a shared producer base, an emphasis on youth engagement, and a desire to be representative of all sizes and types of producers.

The associations named four pillars to funnel their efforts: public image, people, sustainability and interstate relationships.

“Kentucky and Tennessee are coming together and leveraging producer’s dollars in a much more effective way to do what needs to be done for the producer,” said Scott Hays, president of the National Pork Producers Council Board of Directors.

Each association will keep its own separate identity but will be overseen by a managing council with representatives from both Kentucky and Tennessee.

Representing Kentucky will be Eric Heard and Annie Tolle, and representing Tennessee will be Jamie Weaver and Katie Sherman. The council will be overseen by Niki Ellis, executive director of the Kentucky Pork Producers Association.

“It’s been inspiring to watch Kentucky and Tennessee’s pork producers come together to create solutions for the future of their industry,” Ellis said. “Our producers have showcased their passion and aren’t afraid to reinvent the way their associations operate to meet the changes of the future. I’m honored to be tasked with leading the collaboration and working alongside my team to build success for our farm families across the mid-south.”