Zoetis is honoring individuals who exemplify everything that is good about the pork industry through its Champions of Care initiative, the company announced.
Jim Coakley, swine herd manager at Oklahoma State University’s Swine Education and Research Center, is being honored in this initiative. Not only is he responsible for overseeing animal care of the school’s swine farm unit, but he is also nurturing the next generation of leaders.
“A pig farm is only as healthy as its animals. It’s the people who make the difference,” says Wes Lack, national sales director of Zoetis Pork. “Every day, we see the spirit of caregiving by those who put their passion into practice. It speaks to everything that is right about American agriculture and what Champions of Care highlights.”
Coakley’s story is the focus of a new Champions of Care video that highlights how hands-on education and mentorship are creating opportunities to attract students to agricultural careers.
“Through caring for the university swine herd, our students have the opportunity to learn solid work ethics and good morals,” Coakley says in a release. “My biggest goal is to see students graduate with a degree and land a job that benefits agriculture.”
Raised on his family’s farm in Hobart, Okla., Coakley says his parents inspired his passion for agriculture and commitment to teaching.
“Animal health is the most important. We have to provide a level of defense for combating diseases and be committed to providing a safe, high-quality product raised as efficiently as possible,” Coakley says.
Coakley’s curriculum teaches students how to evaluate health by looking at their eyes, ears, skin and behavior.
“Jim goes out of his way to help kids learn animal husbandry skills and opens doors to an industry many wouldn’t have otherwise considered,” notes McKenzie Squires, a strategic account manager for Zoetis, who works closely with Coakley.
She says his students regularly graduate inspired, informed and ready to make their own contributions to agriculture.
