Established in January 2002, the PNMWG was the first working group of the VCPSA project.

PNMWG has a part-time coordinator and works with more than 30 organizations and agencies.

Oversight is provided by a steering committee with representatives from the Leopold Center, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, USDA Rural Development and the Iowa Pork Industry Center.

PNMWG's main activities are:

• Convene quarterly meetings where businesses, agencies, industry groups, individual farmers, and others exchange information, identify challenges, strategize ways to address these challenges, and learn from funded projects
• Develop and implement research and development projects
• Disseminate information on niche pork topics through:
  • The PNMWG Web site
  • Emails to members
  • Presentations at meetings, workshops, and field days
  • Webinars