Five University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have been named to the 2025 Nebraska Pork Producers Association’s Pork Ambassador Program. They are: Forest Rutledge, from Yuma, Colorado; Carter Holtmeier, from Plymouth, Nebraska; Dalton Williams, from Grantsville, Utah; Alexis Warner, Blair, Nebraska; and Claire Scheideler, Ayr, Nebraska.
Forest Rutledge is a sophomore studying animal science at UNL. Back home in Yuma, he and his family commercially raise pigs. They currently have four different confinement sites where they have fattened pigs for over 20 years. His dad, Brett Rutledge, has been president of the Colorado Pork Producers Council, so he has seen all that his dad has done for Colorado pork. He would like to be involved the same way his dad is, and do all that he can to increase the popularity of pork in Nebraska. Forest participates in the Pork Ambassador Program because he wants to create strong connections with producers and gain a deeper understanding of the pork industry in Nebraska.
Carter Holtmeier is a sophomore studying agriculture economics at UNL. Carter raises show pigs for local and out-of -state customers. Talking with the out-of-state customers, he gets to hear what their pork industry is like, and to hear some new ideas that they have. He’s been raising pigs and has been involved in the industry since 2016. He has shown pigs at jackpots, at county and state fairs, even at the national level. His dad and uncle also have finishing barns where they raise commercial pigs from 50 pounds to butcher. So, he has been able to see both sides of the pork industry. Carter participates in the Pork Ambassador Program because he strongly believes in the future of the pork industry. He’s been around pigs all his life. “Everyone has their hobbies, and it just happens that my hobby is in the swine industry,” he says. He wants to be a part of the Pork Ambassador Program to learn more about the industry in deeper detail and more on the marketing side of the industry. He strongly believes the Pork Ambassador Program will help him grow as a future leader in the pork industry.
Dalton Williams is a junior studying agriculture business at UNL. He has raised pigs with his dad and brother since he was little. His family shows their pigs, and it has given him the opportunity to work with young exhibitors and help them succeed. From Utah, he was a part of the Utah pork producer’s youth ambassador program and loved his time there. However, Utah isn’t known for the pork industry, so by coming to Nebraska he knew this was a place where he could be more involved with the industry. Dalton participates in the Nebraska Pork Ambassador Program because the pork industry is truly a passion of his. Since an early age, he has raised swine and loves everything about the business. The Pork Ambassador Program will provide him much knowledge of the industry, he says.
Alexis Warner is a freshman studying animal science at UNL. She has been involved in the pork industry through showing pigs for the past seven years and by being active on the Nebraska Swine Circuit Junior Board. She has learned many skills from this involvement, but she would love to learn even more through experiences as a pork ambassador. She has built a large network through these experiences, but she looks forward to learning even more about the pork industry. Alexis participates in the Nebraska Pork Ambassador Program because she wants to increase her knowledge about the pork industry. She also wants to continue to grow her network and experience new things. She feels she has learned so much about the swine industry throughout her life, but she knows she still has so much to learn, and that excites her greatly. She wants to better understand the pork industry so she can be a better advocate. She is very passionate about the swine industry and cannot wait to share her passion with others.
Claire Scheideler is a freshman studying animal science at UNL. She has grown up around the show side of the pork industry. Her dad has raised show pigs for over 35 years. As a little kid, she did chores with him, and saw how pigs grew. As she has gotten older, she has taken on a bigger role in helping with the whole operation. During farrowing season, she helps him pull any piglets, give shots, castrate, dock tails, and even give ear notches. When she hit 4-H age she showed pigs at the county fair, state fair, and Aksarben Stock Show. She feels she has been lucky to have experienced this side of the pork industry, shaping her into who she is today. Alexis participates in the Nebraska Pork Ambassador Program because of all the connections and experiences she expects to gain. She will be able to grow her knowledge of different parts of the pork industry. Being around people who have the same passion for the livestock industry is important to her and something she really enjoys.