Jill (Pesek) Resler ’09 has been an advocate for agriculture as long as she can remember, but it was a summer internship with the National Pork Board in Des Moines, Iowa, that put her on the path to where she is today—chief executive officer of Minnesota Pork Producers Association and Minnesota Pork Board.
Resler succeeds longtime CEO, David Preisler, who led the organization for 28 years.
He retired June 1, and Resler was announced as his successor June 6. She served those five days as interim CEO in addition to being chief operating officer, a position she held since 2017. Her tenure with Mankato-based Minnesota Pork began in May 2009, the same month she graduated from SDSU with a degree in agricultural communications, education and leadership as well as minors in journalism and animal science.
Resler grew up on a row crop and cattle farm near Canby, Minnesota, and is still active in the operation. By the time she was in high school, Resler was working on the farm alongside her parents and brother caring for livestock and planting and harvesting crops as well as showing beef cattle at 4-H shows.
In the second half of her senior year, she was named Minnesota Beef Queen; a statewide role in which she was able to advocate on behalf of Minnesota’s cattlemen and women. Resler served as the state FFA reporter in 2005-06 and was named a National FFA beef placement proficiency award finalist.
While at SDSU, Resler was engaged in several campus organizations including Block and Bridle, Sigma Alpha, Alpha Zeta and Little International. SDSU is also where she met her future husband, Steven Resler ’08. The two now run a diversified farm near Owatonna, Minnesota, while remaining active in her family’s farm.
An eye-opening internship
The idea of seeking an internship with the National Pork Board came after discussing the opportunity with a National Pork Board staff member at a career fair.
It proved to be career directing.
“Interning with the National Pork Board was a very eye-opening opportunity that allowed me to understand how a checkoff organization works on behalf of its stakeholders. Working with pig farmers across the country aligned with my skill set while providing
an opportunity to engage in work that was fulfilling.” Resler said.
Pork checkoff dollars fund research, promotion and education efforts at both the state and national level. The funds are administered by the Minnesota and National Pork boards with oversight by the USDA. No funds can be used for legislative or policy work. Every pig farmer who sells a pig is required to contribute 40 cents per $100 of value to checkoff.
The Minnesota Pork Producers Association leads the advocacy efforts for the industry engaging in lobbying and protecting farmers’ freedom to operate. This work is funded through a voluntary fee of 10 cents per $100 of value.
Minnesota Pork Producers Association and Minnesota Pork Board are two organizations with separate boards but one staff, which Resler heads.
“I’m really grateful for our producer leaders. The Minnesota pig farmers I’ve had the opportunity to work on behalf of for the last 13 years are some of the most progressive, hard-working, high-integrity people I’ve had the privilege of working with. I have a deep sense of obligation to deliver the greatest return on their investment,” Resler said.
Grateful for upbringing, time at SDSU
One of those producers, Minnesota Pork Producers Association president John Anderson, of Belgrade, Minnesota, cited Resler for her “leadership, foresight, integrity and work ethic.”
Resler said, “Growing up on a farm in southwest Minnesota provided a wonderful foundation for my career. Coming to SDSU, learning about the education, communications and leadership side of things while networking with peers and faculty was a pretty phenomenal combination to launch me into a career within the pork industry. I’m grateful for both my upbringing and my time at SDSU.”
Resler joined Minnesota Pork as director of producer outreach in May 2009, working closely with pig farmers and industry stakeholders. In May 2012, she became director of education. Since 2017, she served as chief operating officer overseeing Minnesota Pork Checkoff programs and producer and staff development.
“I’m humbled to have earned the trust and respect of pig farmers across the state,” said Resler, “it’s a true privilege to work on behalf of Minnesota pig farmers.”
The Reslers have three daughters—Ava, 10, Addison, 7, and Josie, 2. Steven and Jill are the third generation to care for the livestock and work the land on their family farm in rural Steele County.
Dave Graves
