K.C. Belitz, Director, Nebraska Department of Economic Development
In this Q&A, K.C. Belitz, the new director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, speaks about the Power of Pork and its impact on the state’s economy.
What are the most important things you would want consumers to know about the value of the pork industry?
First and foremost, agriculture is core to Nebraska’s economy. With more pigs than people — 3.6 million versus 1.94 million in the state, the pork industry is one of the largest drivers of our economic engine. Nebraska boasts 1,230 pig farms that market 7.8 million pigs annually. In turn, those farms support an industry that creates nearly 18,000 jobs and $1.65 billion in economic impact. Currently, one in four jobs in Nebraska is tied in one way or another to agriculture overall. Continued advancements within the agriculture tech arena signal that the industry is only going to continue to grow. Much of this growth is in rural areas of the state that provide the infrastructure for other industries to grow, generating more opportunities for everyone. These are good jobs that create other good jobs in marketing, accounting, trucking and more.
How can people support Nebraska’s pork industry?
Buy pork! If pork is not a regular protein on your menu, take this opportunity to discover the great taste of pork. There are many delicious and nutritious cuts of pork to choose from. When you purchase pork at your local grocery store or at a farmers market, you support your Nebraska pig farmers.
Secondly, a lot of conversations happen around the dinner table or when out with friends. We can all do our part in being vocal supporters of agriculture and livestock development in the state. Why? Because it’s a vital part of our state’s economy. Talk about it and share your stories with friends and neighbors.
Every Nebraskan can do these things.
How does the pork industry connect farmers to local businesses and consumers in terms of economic benefit?
It’s more than just producing pork for a family. Nebraska’s 1230 pig farms each create opportunities for multiple job sectors. For example, corn and soybean growers provide the feed to the pig farms. Nebraska also has pork processors and packers, and that’s just the visible part of the industry. There’s also a lot of local and in-state impact from the jobs related to the pork industry. For example, you have accountants, geneticists, veterinarians, marketers, bankers and bioscientists who play an integral part in the professional discipline that helps grow this industry. These are the jobs most people don’t think about when agriculture first comes to mind. Every one of these ancillary jobs engages with, and exists because of, the pork industry. It’s critical for Nebraska’s youth to understand that they can thrive in this industry to create a great life for themselves and their families, no matter where they live in the state.
Everyone is familiar with Nebraska as the Cornhusker State, but how can we scream louder about pork’s integral role in the community?
Naturally, this depends upon who the “we” is in this sentence. As Nebraskans, it’s imperative that we educate ourselves on the realities of today’s ag economy and modern pork production and the great work that’s being done in those spaces. And then, we can’t be shy about sharing what we discover with our families and friends.
As a community, we need to continue to market our successes, support the industry and make people aware of how important the pork industry truly is to Nebraska. As a state, our administration — from the bronze pig in the governor’s office to our economic policies — continues to educate our residents, both here and throughout the country, on the significant impact of the pork industry. The future for the pork industry in Nebraska is very bright.
