Careers in Agriculture: Communications director shares stories of Indiana pig farmers

INDIANAPOLIS — Jeanette Merritt’s role as the communications director for Indiana Pork combines her passion for agriculture with her professional expertise in marketing and communication.

Since taking on the position in 2016, Merritt has helped share the stories of Indiana’s pig farmers. She plans events, manages social media, shares information with consumers and more.

With a background rooted in farming, Merritt brings a unique perspective to her work, blending personal experience with professional dedication.

She shared her story with AgriNews.

Q: What is your official job title?

A: Communications director for Indiana Pork.

Q: How long have you had this job and what did you do before?

A: I have been in this job since 2016. Previously, I was marketing director for the Indiana Wine Grape Council and farm director for the AgriAmerica radio network.

Q: What do your job responsibilities look like?

A: I am responsible for all communications about Indiana Pork. That includes communicating about our We Care principles to consumers, educating consumers about making pork part of their diet, providing communications to Indiana pig farmers, handling social media efforts, working with chefs to incorporate pork on their menus, coordinating Taste of Elegance, coordinating our three pork tents at the Indiana State Fair, and our efforts with Indiana food pantries.

Q: What are three things you love about your job?

A: I love that as a fourth-generation grain and pig farmer, I am sharing a message that is very close to my heart. Everything I do impacts my own farm.

I love going into classrooms and teaching high school students how pork can be part of their diet. It’s fun to see the “light-bulb” moment when they realize pork tastes good when cooked correctly.

I love telling our farmers stories. Whether it’s how those farmers are involved in giving back to their communities, how they host legislators on their farms, or their sustainability practices, everyone has a story that the consumer is interested in knowing.

Q: Are there any educational requirements for this type of job? What schools did you go to?

A: I have my bachelor’s degree in agriculture sales and marketing from Purdue University. I have obtained a few continuing education certificates in marketing practices.

Q: Any advice for a person interested in this type of work?

A: Be willing to do anything. Working in a commodity group usually means you are working with a very small staff.

One day you may be hosting a huge event for dozens of chefs. The next day you may have to dress like the pig mascot to do a TV appearance. You are never above any job.

Q: What personality traits and skills are helpful?

A: I’ve been trained to listen first, speak later — especially when trying to understand a consumer’s needs or to tell the farmers’ story. You have to hear what someone is saying if you are going to address the issue.

Q: What is something you admire about Indiana’s pork industry?

A: Pig farmers are resilient. This industry is under constant pressure from activists, low prices, increased input costs and labor concerns, but farmers continue to raise pigs with the utmost care.

It’s an industry that keeps fighting to provide a safe, nutritious product for their neighbors.

Q: What’s your favorite item on your desk?

A: I’m not sure if it’s my favorite, but my most useful items are my three computer screens. Over the years, I’ve learned I work a lot better if all of my desktop items are spread out across screens. It’s like my brain, always having a few tabs open at all times. I work the same way.

Q: Anything else you’d like to mention about your job?

A: I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to serve Indiana agriculture. I get to collaborate with amazing people, serve on a variety of boards and panels and keep trying to tell our story. I don’t take any of it for granted.

Q: Tell me about your involvement at the Indiana State Fair.

A: I have been involved in the State Fair for many decades. As a former 10-year 4-Her, my favorite summer memory included going to the fair to see how my projects did.

Professionally, I’ve been involved in the fair since my very first college internship. I’m currently in my seventh year on the State Fair board of directors, a goal I set for myself back in my early internship days. I oversee the Dairy Barn for my role on the board.

For Indiana Pork, I also coordinate and oversee the three pork tents we have on the fairgrounds. That includes managing hundreds of volunteers, promoting pork to fairgoers, doing our TV and radio promotions and putting out a lot of “fires” during the fair.

The State Fair has some incredibly long days, but I wouldn’t change any of it. I am very passionate about the Indiana State Fair and the experience guests have while they attend and am thrilled I get to play a small part in that summer experience.

I’ve met incredible people, serve with an amazing group of board members and always want people to eat more pork burgers while they attend.

Q: Do you think it’s important to volunteer and be involved in the community during your career? If so, why?

A: I’ve always told my kids that whom much is given, much is expected. I think I’ve been given many opportunities and want to give back as much as possible.

I have served on a variety of national, state and local boards for different groups. I am the person who can’t say no.

I truly enjoy serving on my local food pantry board of directors and trying to find ways to help the food insecure in our county. I love serving Indiana 4-H, Miami County 4-H and Maconaquah FFA.

I believe changing the lives of our young people creates a brighter future for them. I’ve served on economic development boards and other local government boards.

While I’ve never ran for political office, I’m happy to help candidates who want to run and who would be a good voice for agriculture.

All of those volunteer activities are important so we can make sure the agriculture story is represented in our communities.