• Fighting for reasonable legislation and regulation— NPPC keeps costly regulation in check by 
       connecting lawmakers and regulators with the reality of the U.S. pork industry.
    • Developing and defending export market opportunities — NPPC develops revenue 
       opportunities for investors and aggressively defends investor interests in trade negotiations,
       increasing export market access for U.S. pork.
    • Identifying and addressing critical issues — NPPC proactively addresses issues of industry 
       and consumer concern, such as food safety, environmental protection and animal health and 
       welfare.

Why was the Strategic Investment Program started?
Voted into action in 2002 by producer delegates and originally called the Producer Consent program, it was started to ensure that adequate funding is available for critical programs focused on public policy, including legislative and regulatory issues management, as well as trade issues. The program also ensures that adequate funding is available for state organizations to support their members on local legislative and regulatory issues.

What unique benefits do investors receive?
As an investor, you will have a voice in NPPC policy development. As the pork industry becomes more complex, producers and allied industry are faced with more critical issues than ever before. Investors in the Strategic Investment Program are provided resources to help them take action on issues that threaten their freedom to operate responsibly.

How does the program help on a local and state level?
When you enroll in the Strategic Investment Program, your investment is split between NPPC and your state organization. State affiliates spend these unrestricted funds as directed by the members and leadership of that organization.

Who are investors?
Producers of all types and sizes, representing 43 states, are currently participating. This unified investment allows NPPC and its state affiliates to act with one voice and effectively utilize resources.

What is the standard investment?
Participating members voluntarily invest 10 cents per $100 of market value.

How do I begin investing?
Sign up by completing the Strategic Investment Program form found at www.nppc.org. Return the form to NPPC or your state organization. After you complete and submit the form, there are three methods for investing:

    • Point-of-sale: Your enrollment is confidentially communicated with the appropriate 
       packer/market. All major packers are set up to deduct this investment at the point-of-sale. 
    • Direct to NPPC: Send a Strategic Investment Program check for all hogs marketed for a specified 
       period of time directly to NPPC, which then distributes a portion to your state. 
    • Direct to your state organization: Send a Strategic Investment Program check for all hogs 
       marketed for a specified period of time directly to your state organization. These funds will be 
       shared between your state organization and NPPC. When marketing seedstock or feeder pigs, your 
       contribution can be sent directly to NPPC or your state organization.

Do Strategic Investment Program funds duplicate mandatory checkoff funding?
No. By law, checkoff dollars cannot be used for public policy or lobbying. Strategic Investment Program funds, managed by the National Pork Producers Council, are unrestricted and can be utilized to address legislation, regulatory policy and trade policy as directed by your state and national leadership. Mandatory checkoff funds, managed by the National Pork Board, are used for demand enhancement, and educational and research activities.