The Swine Industry Experience will include both classroom instruction and hands-on experiences at participating farms. Transportation to and from Ames, hotels, food, and educational materials will be provided. Upon acceptance, students will be enrolled in AnS 490 for 1 credit hour for Spring 2026. The Swine Industry Experience content to be covered will include:

• Sow operations - breeding, gestation, farrowing
• Wean to finish - Weaning, grow/finish, pig management
• Swine health and well-being management - biosecurity, preventative medicine, housing
• Swine nutrition and feeding, and risk management
• Evening networking dinners with swine producers and allied-industry supporters

During and (or) following the Swine Industry Experience, there will be additional opportunities for students to network with swine industry partners.

To apply, please email a resume and cover letter (in a single PDF document) describing your career goal(s) and how you anticipate the Swine Industry Experience will be of benefit to you.

The application is due by November 1, 2025 and should be emailed to Stacie Matchan at sgould@iastate.edu.

Disclaimer: Application does not ensure spot in the program, interviews will be held to determine 14 final students. It is important that all applicants understand NO swine exposure or international travel is allowed for the week leading up to the program start date. A date in December will be scheduled to discuss program expectations.