Ernie Barnes

Ernie Barnes is a tireless advocate for agriculture and youth development programs. A Mississippi State College of Agriculture graduate in 1974, Ernie has served the Agricultural Community for over 50 years with the same passion, drive and enthusiasm he still has today. Ernie served the National Pork Board for over 35 years in various leadership positions.

In trying to figure the best way for you to know what impact Ernie has had on the agriculture community we felt the best way was to view his list of accomplishments:

• 1981-1986-CEO of the American Landrace Association
• Helped the first multibreed associations form- Landrace, Poland and Berkshires
• Louisville and National Barrow Show Advisory Boards
• Served on the NPPC Executive Committee when the legislative check-off was taken to Congress
• Received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Landrace Association.
• Developed the first WORLD PORK EXPO with over 900 exhibitors, 35 sponsors and over $1 million on sponsorships
• 1990 Kentucky Pork Award-Kentucky Colonel
• 2003 World Pork Expo Exhibitors Appreciation Award
• 2004-2009 Iowa FFA Foundation Board of Directors
• 2005 Mississippi State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Achievement Award
• 2009 Mississippi State Livestock Judging Hall of Fame
• 2009 Iowa 4H Hall of Fame (With Paula)
• 2009 Team Purebred Coaches Award
• 2012 Iowa Pork Producers Honorary Master Pork Producer
• 2013 National Junior Swine Association Distinguished Service Award
• 2014 National Barrow Show Distinguished Service Award
• 2014 National Poland China Association Distinguished Service Award
• 2015 National Association of Swine Records Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2019 Mississippi State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Distinguished Fellow Award
• 2021 Team Purebred Legacy Award
• 2023 Chester, Poland and Spot Distinguished Service Award
• 2024 Iowa Master Seedstock Producer Award-Iowa Pork Producers Association
• 2024 Headliner Award Livestock Publications Council
• Board of Directors IFAA -Sale of Champions-Iowa State Fair

If you have attended a sale, show or youth development event, you have met Ernie. Once you have, it is a lifelong friendship to cherish. We are honored and humbled to have Ernie be part of our program.