What Minnesota Pork Congress Is
Minnesota Pork Congress is a swine-specific tradeshow and education event for pig farmers and the people who serve them. It is run by the Minnesota Pork Board and is billed as Minnesota's only tradeshow and educational event dedicated exclusively to pork production. If you raise hogs, work for a supplier, or follow pork policy, it is built for you: a trade show floor, a seminar track and plenty of hallway time with other producers. The 2026 show took place in Mankato, and the Pork Board described it as energized and well attended.
What You Can Do There
- Walk the trade show. Exhibitors fill the Arena and Grand Hall on both show days.
- Attend seminars. Sessions run in Banquet Hall West on production, policy and the consumer side of pork.
- Earn recertification credit. A Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) recertification workshop is held in Room 247 for a $10 fee.
- Network. A Trade Show Social Hour closes the first show day, and meals are served on the show floor.
How It Works: The 2026 Timeline
Monday, February 9: Annual meetings
- 11 a.m. to noon: Minnesota Pork Board annual meeting (Ellerbe Room)
- Noon to 12:30 p.m.: lunch
- 12:30 to 2 p.m.: Minnesota Pork Producers Association annual meeting
- 2 to 3:30 p.m.: joint Pork Board and Producers Association annual meeting
- 5 to 8:30 p.m.: Awards Reception in the Ballroom (invitation only)
- Exhibitor move-in ran 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, February 10: Registration and trade show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 9 to 10 a.m.: Taste What Pork Can Do consumer campaign update
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Gene Editing Insights, the consumer perspective
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: box lunch
- 1 to 2 p.m.: Inside the Beltway, issues affecting the pork industry
- 1 to 4:30 p.m.: CAWT recertification workshop
- 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: No Bad Days, with Hunter Pinke
- 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Trade Show Social Hour
Wednesday, February 11: Registration and trade show, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 9 to 10:30 a.m.: breakfast sandwiches
- 9 to 10 a.m.: International Trade Update with Maria Zieba
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Improving Swine Health, a strategic path forward
- 2 p.m.: Congress closes
Fees and Registration
Admission was $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Register at mnporkcongress.com. The CAWT workshop carries its own $10 fee.
Awards Presented in 2026
| Award | 2026 recipient |
|---|---|
| Environmental Steward of the Year | Dale Stevermer |
| Pork Promoter of the Year | Lindsey Loken |
| Distinguished Service | Dr. Tom Wetzell |
| Swine Manager of the Year | Jeff Senne |
| Family of the Year | Wolters family (Terry and Sylvia) |
| Legislator of Distinction | Rep. Paul Anderson |
Where
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001. The trade show is in the Arena and Grand Hall, and the seminars are in Banquet Hall West unless a room is noted.
Key Dates
The 2027 Minnesota Pork Congress is set for February 9 and 10, 2027, in Mankato.
Questions
Can I get in without being a pork producer?
Admission was sold to anyone at $10 in advance or $15 at the door. The show is aimed at pig farmers and pork industry stakeholders.
Is the awards reception open to everyone?
No. The Monday evening Awards Reception is by invitation only.
How long is the trade show open?
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first show day and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second.
Who do I call?
The Minnesota Pork Board office: (507) 345-8814 or (800) 537-7675.
Official Links
- 2026 Pork Congress magazine: hours, schedule, awards, admission
- Minnesota Pork Congress 2026 wraps in Mankato: recap and 2027 dates
- Minnesota Pork Board events page: event overview and office phone
- mnporkcongress.com: registration
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- MN Ag Expo
Two-day winter farm show in Mankato bringing farmers, researchers and industry leaders together for exhibits and seminars. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 20-21, 2026.
- Blue Earth County Fair
Held each year in Garden City; the most recent dates were July 23-26, 2026. It gives the county 4-H clubs a showcase for projects and livestock.
Garden City, MN Official event details - Olmsted County 4-H Officer Training
Training for 2026-2027 Olmsted County 4-H club officers, 6-8 p.m., with a volunteer training held the same evening. Held each year; the most recent date was November 12, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details - Olmsted County Pesticide Safety Recertification
Private pesticide applicator A/E recertification day, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for Olmsted County farmers who must recertify every three years. Held each year; the most recent date was November 13, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details - Pope County 4-H Dairy Clinic
Dairy skills clinic for Pope County 4-H members at the University of Minnesota Morris West Central Research and Outreach Center. Held each year; the most recent date was November 15, 2026.
Morris, MN Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.