Gratitude for the stock show industry is the driving force leading many young people to look toward careers in the swine industry today. From production to sales and from nutrition to policy, their futures may be “in progress,” but their focus is on giving back to the pork industry in some way.
Six directors of national junior swine organizations share why they want to pursue pork industry careers.
A Slat-Level Foundation
During Haley Graf’s senior year of high school, her eyes were opened to how much management and nutrition impact an animal’s growth, health and performance. Her family has been raising pigs since 2007. She’s seen firsthand how caring for her pigs reinforced the values of working hard, paying attention to detail and providing animals with the best care possible.
“I enjoyed watching the results of the decisions I made each day, especially when it came to feeding and nutrition,” says Graf, a senior at Purdue University from Rensselaer, Ind. “This interest continued to grow during my senior year of high school when I did my work-based learning experience at Belstra Milling Company in their feed mill.”
She says working there while balancing school courses allowed her to see another side of the swine industry and helped her better understand how nutrition can directly affect an animal’s performance and producer success.
“I immediately became fascinated by the feed ingredients, ration balancing and the science behind creating diets that meet animals’ needs at different stages of production,” she says. “The more I learned, the more I realized how passionate I am about swine nutrition and how much I want to continue expanding my knowledge in this area.”
Growth and Gratitude
“I would not say that there was one specific moment that led me to pursuing a future related to the pork industry,” explains Team Purebred President Cydney Bertolino of Morrisonville, Ill., a junior at Kansas State University. “Growing up within the industry, you develop a deep appreciation for the pork industry. I have always wanted to be able to give back to an industry that gave me everything.”
Team Purebred director Carly Henderson of Wellsville, Mo., agrees. As she starts her senior year at Iowa State University, she says the livestock industry has been the one constant in her life.
“I began showing cattle at the age of 6 and at the age of 9, started showing pigs,” Henderson says. “I have been hooked ever since my parents bought me my first pig. It sparked excitement and curiosity for the industry and I continued to only want to learn more while becoming more involved outside of the show ring.”
Perseverance and Belief
Growing up in Florida, Ansley Bo says the opportunities in animal agriculture were limited, although the state plays a very significant role in agriculture.
“I firmly believe that if you have a passion for this industry, there is a place for you,” says Bo, a senior at the University of Florida. She pursued her passion for showing pigs and was encouraged to run for the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) Board of Directors. She says that was one of the best things that has happened to her.
“I remember feeling incredibly hesitant,” Bo says. “I kept thinking the odds were not in my favor as a small-town Florida girl who had worked hard to build her own success story. With encouragement from those around me, I realized that if I truly wanted to stay involved in this industry, this was my opportunity.”
Serving on the NJSA board has taught her the importance of leadership, perseverance and always remembering to shine your light for others, whether that is through mentorship, encouragement or simply being someone younger members can look up to, she adds.
Contagious Passion
Olivia Shike, a junior at Kansas State University from Sadorus, Ill., can’t remember a moment where she didn’t envision a future involved in agriculture and the swine industry.
“I quite literally grew up attending NJSA shows as a newborn and was so excited when it was my turn to show pigs at NJSA and Team Purebred shows during the summer,” Shike says. “I always looked up to the junior board members, amazed by their work ethic, dedication and excitement for the swine industry and junior events.”
After she graduated from high school and began her first semester at Black Hawk College-East Campus, she realized she loved being surrounded by people who are passionate about the livestock industry.
“I decided that I wanted to pursue a career giving back to the industry that shaped me through a career in agriculture politics,” Shike says. “Serving on the Team Purebred Junior Board has only reinforced this goal, watching youth show pigs and grow as people and leaders.”
The Multi-Dimensional Future in Pork
Cade Sponcil of Greenfield, Ohio, will be a junior at Oklahoma State University this fall. His story is similar. Growing up attending NJSA and National Swine Registry shows opened his eyes to the impact junior board directors can have on young people.
“I wanted to give back the same kind of mentorship and encouragement I received,” Sponcil says. “That experience inspired me to help the next generation of livestock exhibitors while also promoting the pork industry beyond commercial production and showing people that there are many different ways to be involved in pork production across our country.”
