HAPPY NEW YEAR AKKPS MEMBERS!
NEW
NEWLY ELECTED BOD MEMBERS 2027/2028 TERM
A huge thank you to the following AKKPS Board Members whose elected terms concluded on 12/31/25. There are not enough “thank yous” to express our appreciation for the many hours they dedicated in service to the AKKPS Membership.
We are pleased to share that all four have been re-elected by the AKKPS Membership and will continue to serve for another two-year term.
- Brenda Eldridge
- Amanda Carlisle
- Paula Toney
- Caroline Malott
Caroline Malott - President - Term Ends December 31, 2027
Kate Belbeck - Vice President - Term Ends December 31, 2026
Brenda Eldridge - Treasurer - Term Ends December 31, 2027
Jamie McIntyre - Secretary - Term Ends December 31, 2026
Steve Baker - Chairman of the Board - Term Ends December 31, 2026
Amanda Carlisle - Member at Large - Term Ends December 31, 2027
Paula Toney - Member at Large - Term Ends December 31, 2027
Denise Stubbs - Member at Large Non Voting - Term Ends December 31, 2026
2026 AKKPS MEMBERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
CODE OF ETHICS
It is incumbent upon every member of the American KuneKune Pig Society to represent the organization honorably and to abide by the AKKPS By-Laws. Members are expected to treat fellow members respectfully and courteously, refrain from knowingly making misleading statements about the AKKPS, fellow members, or the breed, and to maintain proper knowledge and care of KuneKunes while fulfilling all responsibilities to the animals in their care.
The AKKPS issues Code of Ethics violations when the AKKPS Code of Ethics is violated in a public forum, such as social media or anywhere on the internet.
The AKKPS cannot issue Code of Ethics violations for private communications, including emails, text messages, private messages, or verbal conversations.
KEEPING YOUR "MY ANIMALS" UP TO DATE IN THE AKKPS HERD BOOK
Keeping your My Animals section in the AKKPS Member Portal up to date is essential for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the AKKPS Herd Book.
All breeders are asked to regularly update animal statuses and complete transfers to new owners—or to themselves—so the Herd Book reflects correct ownership and accurate status information.
Animals should not remain in a P – Pending status indefinitely.
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Under Observation (OB)
Use this when you are watching a pig to determine its future purpose. -
Animal for Harvest (MP)
Use this for pigs in your meat program. -
Companion Animal (A)
Use this for barrows or pigs that will remain lifelong companion animals. -
Fully Registered Animal Not Yet Sold
Register the animal to yourself first, then complete the transfer once it is sold.
BREEDER REGISTRATION SUBMISSION TIMEFRAME
- Full Registration
Sellers have 10 weeks from the new owner’s possession of the pig to submit the registration to the AKKPS Registrar. - Transfers
(Applies to Full Registrations, Companion Animals, and Animals for Harvest)
Sellers have 4 weeks from the new owner’s possession of the pig to submit the transfer to the AKKPS Registrar.
2025 SOCIETY VOTE RESULTS
April 2025
- Should a proposal be brought forward prior to the policy effective date of 11/1/25, an AKKPS Membership vote will be help on each proposal. The AKKPS will accept AKKPS Member Farm Proposals for AKKPS Sponsorships for Webinars and Workshops during the first 2 weeks of November each year for the following calendar year enabling the fees to be incorporated into the next years budget. During the first 2 weeks of December each year the AKKPS will hold a member vote on whether or not to approve funds for each individual request. The AKKPS Members Farm proposal will be attached to the vote for viewing. The member vote will be done using a favourable ranking system using a number starting at 1. Should a member not wish to rank a requested sponsorship they do not include that in their ranking vote. The AKKPS will review all proposals and determine the appropriate amount the AKKPS will contribute regardless of the amount requested by the AKKPS Member Farm. The purpose of appropriations of AKKPS funds is for the AKKPS Membership Educational benefit NOT to promote an AKKPS Member Farm. Should funds be approved by the AKKPS Membership Vote, funds will be distributed at the completion of the Webinar and the Workshop. Funds will not be granted for the entire cost of the Workshop or webinar. Funds will be granted on the portion of the program that benefits the AKKPS as a whole in an educational aspect. Total funds distributed yearly will be capped at $10,000 per calendar year pending the AKKPS financial status. The AKKPS Board of Directors reserves the right to veto any request that is not in the overall educational well being of the AKKPS or a redundant educational topic which the AKKPS already offers members. AKKPS Member Farm shall email a detailed proposal including all costs and educational benefits to the AKKPS as well as the amount being requested from the AKKPS. Proposals not containing all required information will not be put up for membership vote. Requests should be filled out using the AKKPS Sponsorship Form located in the AKKPS Member Portal Members Only Section.
- The AKKPS membership approved absorbing the IKKPS Membership and Dual Registrations on 5/5/25 which is the date IKKPS officially closed.
June 2025
- AKKPS Members voted to approve new revised AKKPS Sanctioning Rules.
- AKKPS Members voted to approve there must be at least 3 entries in a class (classes can be combined to achieve this) for the title awarded to be entered into the AKKPS Herd Book
- AKKPS Members voted to approve that if a pig is awarded a title but is not eligible for the title to be entered in to the AKKPS Herd Book due to less than 3 pigs in the class, the pig may move forward to earn a larger title.
AKKPS UPDATES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Logged registration number AKKPS 61,000 in the herd book
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Announced the AKKPS-hosted and sanctioned AKKPS Show for 2026
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Announced plans to host four webinars per year for AKKPS members
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Separated belted, banded, and high white into their own designators
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Reduced the cost of sponsored membership for one year to $25
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Added upgrades to the AKKPS website including:
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Table of contents
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Search bars
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Buttons for frequently used links
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Expanded opportunities to win AKKPS merchandise
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Added AKKPS Member Reviews to the AKKPS website
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Updated the age requirement for Gold Tip application from 18 months to 12 months
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Began offering AKKPS Breed Claim Letters for USDA breed claiming of KuneKune
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Implemented Survey Monkey for all votes and surveys to provide member anonymity
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Added Zelle and Venmo as payment options for membership renewal
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Added Lifetime Membership as an option in the portal for new and existing members
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Added a KuneKune Weight Chart
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Added an updated Body Condition Score Chart with sketches, photos, and descriptions
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Added an About section and logo space for all AKKPS Members in the member portal
FINANCIAL RECAP
The AKKPS stayed well below budget in 2025 while continuing to offer AKKPS Members a plethora of benefits.
The AKKPS maintains robust financial health while offering discounted membership rates that encompass all registration-related services (excluding DNA testing), access to various educational opportunities, and customizable member benefits—ensuring the organization's long-term sustainability.
Managed by a volunteer board along with members, a volunteer registrar, and a volunteer webmaster, the AKKPS is positioned to hire individuals for these roles if necessary, given its financial stability.
The organization is responsible for registering and documenting approximately 1,300 members’ pigs, with over 61,000 animals recorded in the AKKPS Herd Book, ensuring accurate pedigree records.
The financial objective of the AKKPS is to maintain reserves adequate to cover two years of operating expenses, including funds to transition volunteer positions into paid roles if required
2025 STATISTICS
- Full Registrations 2055
- Litter Notifications 1368
- Dual Registrations 77
- Transfers / Companion Animals Registrations / Animal for Harvest Registrations 1757
- Current AKKPS Members 1265
- Current AKKPS # in the Herd Book 61734
2026 DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIP DUES
Due to a surplus created through the AKKPS’s conservative budgeting and the use of volunteer positions rather than paid staff, the AKKPS will be providing all current AKKPS Members with an automatic $40 discount off the standard $65 yearly membership dues.
This makes 2026 dues only $25 for renewing members.
To receive this discount, members must renew on time before their membership lapses.
The AKKPS sends two email reminders when dues are approaching and also posts renewal information in each member’s AKKPS Member Portal.
NEW AKKPS MERCH & PORTAL
New 2026 AKKPS Merch is coming to the AKKPS Store!
The AKKPS is adding a wide variety of AKKPS-branded items for purchase and AKKPS Member Giveaways, including whiteboards, Post-it® notes, signs, headlamps, multi-tools, weather stations, stickers, measuring tapes, shirts, sweatshirts, totes, hats, and more. New items will be added each month.
To make ordering easier than ever, AKKPS will now be using Shopify for merch orders, member giveaways and show sponsorships.
NEW MEMBER PORTAL FEATURES COMING IN 2026
Pedigree & Genetics
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Optional photo upload on AKKPS pedigrees
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Color-coded ancestor pedigrees for improved visual clarity
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Herd COI comparison against any AKKPS-registered or AKKPS-notified litter/animal
Marketplace & Sales
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Farm Item for Sale feature
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Functionality similar to the existing Pigs for Sale listing
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Allows members to list non-animal farm items
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Membership & Billing
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Downloadable PDF receipt for AKKPS member dues
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Additional membership field to allow listing of multiple family members under one AKKPS membership
Member Records & Reporting
- CSV export option for members to download a list of all animals registered in their name
- Sorting capability by registration status (e.g., registered, notified, pending)
2026 BOD ELECTIONS FOR THE 2027/2028 TERM
The AKKPS will hold BOD Elections in November of 2026 for the 2027/2028 terms.
The following seats will be open for election:
- 2 US Voting Seats (Steve Baker & Jamie McIntyre)
- 1 US Non Voting Seat (Denise Stubbs)
- 1 Canadian Voting Set (Kate Belbeck)
Applications will be accepted in October 2026 and Voting will be 11/15/26 through 11/30/26.
2026 BUDGET
The AKKPS budget is based on a conservative income and inflated spending to ensure the success of AKKPS financially.
The AKKPS maintains robust financial health while offering discounted membership rates that encompass all registration-related services (excluding DNA testing), access to various educational opportunities, and customizable member benefits—ensuring the organization's long-term sustainability.
Managed by a volunteer board along with members, a volunteer registrar, and a volunteer webmaster, the AKKPS is positioned to hire individuals for these roles if necessary, given its financial stability.
The organization is responsible for registering and documenting approximately 1,300 members’ pigs, with over 61,000 animals recorded in the AKKPS Herd Book, ensuring accurate pedigree records.
The financial objective of the AKKPS is to maintain reserves adequate to cover two years of operating expenses, including funds to transition volunteer positions into paid roles if required.
AKKPS SPONSORED WEBINARS FOR 2026
WEBINAR COORDINATORS
Kate Belbeck - AKKPS BOD Member
Ethel Baker of IrishMudd LLC - AKKPS Member
Emely Hendl of Anchor Meadow Farm - AKKPS Member
PRE RECORDERED WEBINARS
- How to Flip a KuneKune - January 2026
- How to Trim Tusks - February 2026
- How to Trim Hooves - March 2026
INTERACTIVE WEBINARS VIA ZOOM
- Questions with Bill Garlough - Date TBA
- Ask A Vet - Date TBA
- Conformation - Date TBA
- Meat Production Q & A - Date TBA
REGISTRAR / WEBMASTER 2026 CONTRACT
The AKKPS has contracted Caroline Malott for a 4th year on a volunteer basis for the AKKPS Registrar and Webmaster.