Elanco’s Swine Business Unit is taking the company’s partnership with Heifer International to the next level when it hosts a study tour to Cameroon, Africa, from May22 to May 31, 2011. Study tour participants plan to post regular updates, including photos and videos, to document their travels.
Trip coordinator Courtney Knupp, Elanco Swine Marketing Associate, said the group chose Cameroon because pigs are a key agricultural product in this region and a focus of Heifer International in the country.
“We wanted to support Elanco's world hunger initiative by facilitating a Heifer study tour for our employees and customers,” she said. “This helps us communicate our stance on this topic and promote a global perspective on food supply.” Scheduled to participate in the study tour are Dr. Kerry Keffaber, Elanco Swine Technical Consultant Manager; Courtney Knupp; Jamee McNair, Swine Marketing Associate; Grady Bishop, Elanco U.S. Swine Director; Dr. Mike Tokach, Ph.D., nutritionist; and veterinarians Dr. Bill Minton, and his wife; Dr. Lisa Tokach; Dr. Cary Sexton; Dr. Mike Pierdon and Dr. Joe Fent. The participants share Elanco’s hunger reduction vision and goals.
Heifer trips include visiting communities that are in need of sustainable food sources. On a global level this can range from various proteins to plants. By giving an animal, a village has the opportunity to thrive not only through the initial gift, but also through the continued passing of the animal’s offspring to create a sustainable model. “We knew this would be a unique experience in the industry and allow us to lead the charge taking action toward reducing hunger and providing sustainable protein sources around the world,” Courtney said.