The Whole Hog Youth Ambassador Program

Sask Pork’s The Whole Hog Youth Ambassador Program is a new initiative where a Saskatchewan ambassador with an agricultural background is chosen annually to give young people an opportunity to learn about the pork industry from someone close to their own age.

The primary role of the Youth Ambassador is to create a series of videos for ag-education purposes which will focus on basic consumer questions like “why do pigs usually live in barns” and more behind-the-scenes content like “why is the hog industry in Saskatchewan a big deal” and “what do pigs like to do for fun”. The Whole Hog ambassador also attends events and activities across the province to raise awareness about the pork industry.

The Whole Hog puts a youthful face on the industry and create engaging and education material and allow the public to better understand the pork industry.

Funding for The Whole Hog youth ambassador program was made possible through the Agriculture Awareness Initiative Program under the Canadian Agriculture Partnership.

Q & A with The Whole Hog Youth Ambassador Reise

Q: What makes you excited about being The Whole Hog youth ambassador for Sask Pork?

A: I like being involved in community projects, and this one is interesting because of the pigs and the new things I get to learn.

Q: What do you remember about your dad and grandparents sow operation?

A: It had already been shut down before I was born, but I have heard many stories about the farm, and my dad has given me tours through the now empty barn.

Q: What’s your favourite part about being inside a pig barn?

A: I really enjoyed playing with the pigs, specifically weanlings in the nursery. 

Q: What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned so far?

A: It is really cool to have learned how many pigs we export to other countries, and I think their noses are pretty neat!

Q: What surprised you about pigs or hog production?

A: I didn’t know that piglets can be moved to another litter if there are too many for the mother sow.

Q: What do you hope that people watching The Whole Hog videos will take away?

A: I hope people learn how much pigs help people, and that the farmers raising the pigs care about them a lot!

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

A: For fun I like to do magic tricks, shoot nerf guns, ride my horse, rope my brother and play video games.

Q: What’s your favourite pork dish to eat?

A: My favorite is pulled pork!

Follow @SaskPork on Twitter or visit this page for the latest videos in The Whole Hog series.