A respected voice in agricultural communications and an advocate for the pork industry has passed away. Charles ‘Charlie’ Harness, 90, died April 25 at a hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. In the mid-1960s, Harness served as the media relations manager for IBP. He spent time as a news director and anchor for a Sioux City television station before joining the National Pork Producers Council communications staff in 1983. The pork industry was going through massive change during Harness’ time at NPPC, including consolidation, the growth of global markets and scrutiny from environment and animal rights activists. Woodruff Managing Supervisor Cindy Cunningham worked with Harness and said Charlie “was an early advocate for helping producers tell their own story.” Cunningham went on describe Harness as “a sentinel of wisdom and experience who always had a smile and a relevant story.” Harness retired from the NPPC in 1998.
