(BLOOMINGTON) The Illinois Pork Producers Association is promoting two new programs focused on educational development for the swine industry’s next generation. One of the new initiatives is the Illinois Pork Industry Group (PIG) program, available at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, for students interested in agriculture and pork industry, regardless of their major. The IPPA covers the cost of the 6-week course and provides a $300 scholarship to those who complete it. While this program will start at LLCC this fall, the goal is to offer it at other community colleges in the future. The deadline to apply for the PIG program is September 1st with sessions beginning October 10th. The other program, the School Swine Project Grant, is being offered to universities, colleges, and high schools in Illinois with grants up to $2,000 for projects focused on the betterment of the pork industry. The funds could be utilized for campus barn improvements, student research projects, and more. The deadline to apply for the SSPG program funds in September 30th. To apply or to learn more about the program, go to the IPPA website, at ilpork.com.