As the agricultural landscape evolves, a new generation of leaders is stepping into the spotlight to champion the swine industry. These young advocates, including National Junior Swine Association and Team Purebred junior board members, are dedicated to bridging the gap between producers and consumers through transparency and proactive communication. By tackling industry misconceptions head-on and identifying ways to lower barriers for newcomers, they are working to ensure that the future of pork production is rooted in both innovation and a deep-seated passion for animal care.
Farm Journal’s PORK sat down with Team Purebred board members Cydney Bertolino, junior at Kansas State University; Carly Henderson at Iowa State University; Olivia Shike, junior at Kansas State University and NJSA board members Ansley Bo, senior at the University of Florida; Haley Graf, senior at Purdue University and Cade Sponcil, junior at Oklahoma State University
What is the biggest misconception your peers have about pork production?
Bertolino: When talking with people who have no background in this industry, I would say that they honestly just don’t quite understand why or how we do what we do. I just take the time to explain and share how important it is to me that we are able to continue to be a part of this industry.
Bo: One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that pork producers do not genuinely care about their animals. Many people only see bits and pieces of information online and do not fully understand the amount of time, care and dedication that goes into raising livestock every single day. When I have these conversations with my peers, I try to speak from personal experience rather than just facts. I explain that the livestock industry is built on passion, responsibility and hard work. If I can help even one person gain a better understanding of our industry and the people in it, then I believe I have made a positive impact. Agriculture has given me so much, and I want to continue being someone who helps shine a positive light on the pork industry.
Graf: One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that pork producers do not care about animal welfare and only focus on efficiency or profit. As someone who has raised my own pigs and worked closely within the industry, I know caring for animals is at the center of pork production. Healthy, comfortable pigs are essential for a successful operation, and producers spend countless hours making sure their animals receive proper nutrition, housing, veterinary care and daily attention, I believe the best way to address misconceptions is through honest conversation and education. Many people simply have never had the opportunity to see modern pork production firsthand. By sharing my experiences and being open to questions, I hope to help others better understand the dedication and responsibility that come with raising pigs and producing safe, high-quality pork.
“The longer I have been at college, the more I encounter people who don’t fully understand how livestock production works, or they have a variety of misunderstandings of the agriculture industry.”
Henderson: The longer I have been at college, the more I encounter people who don’t fully understand how livestock production works, or they have a variety of misunderstandings of the agriculture industry. They see a few bad videos on Facebook or TikTok that circle around and then think the entire industry does not treat their animals humanely. I tackle this conversation by sharing my personal stories with them of how we care for our cattle and pigs on my farm. I share stories of my friends and how they raise their animals. The best way I have shown them something tangible is by pulling out my phone and showing them the hundreds of videos and pictures I have taken on my phone of how our animals live a good life.
Shike: I believe the biggest misconception people have about pork production is drawn from what they see on the outside. They see massive white barns with chain link fences. They see gestation stalls and farrowing crates and assume sows are mistreated and not being given enough space. They believe producers are in it for the money, packing as many pigs into a space as possible. I address these concerns and questions from an information-focused perspective. It should never be telling someone how wrong they are. Instead, I focus on recognizing why those are logical assumptions and explain the different facets of pork production. I share how gestation stalls protect and prevent sows from fighting and potentially hurting their babies and themselves. I discuss the value of a farrowing crate preventing a sow from accidentally crushing her piglets. In a world familiar with lockdowns and quarantines, I can draw similarities to the importance of limiting disease spread. I share the consequences of disease outbreaks and the measures producers use to prevent this devastation. People will always question or be hesitant and scared about what they do not know. It is our job to make sure consumers are educated and can trust us as producers.
Sponcil: The largest disconnect that I have seen between producers and consumers is that some consumers do not know the lengths that the producers go to in order to ensure a safe product makes it on the shelves – from genetic selection to biosecurity practices and even correct kill floor processing. The pork industry goes through so many undertakings to produce a quality product, but the average customer has no idea about the hard work behind the scenes.
What is one thing you are excited to improve as a young leader?
Bertolino: Encouraging new people to be involved and help continue to create positive experiences for younger children and families.
Bo: Increasing youth and state involvement.
Graf: Improving consumer understanding and trust in modern swine production.
Henderson: Showcasing our knowledge, sharing facts and creating excitement for what we do, how we produce pork and how we can make the next generation for pork production better.
Shike: Educating the public about the agricultural industry by empowering and equipping youth to change the narrative and to share about the swine industry.
Sponcil: Creating a positive, enjoyable experiences at livestock shows.
What is the biggest barrier for young people who want to get started showing or raising pigs?
Bertolino: The cost of everything within the stock show industry. Although the cost of everything is rising, we still have to make showing pigs realistic and attainable for younger people to participate. I think leaders can help by reminding people of why we do this and why it is important to continue to bring younger people into this industry.
“I think a lot of young people simply do not know where or how to take that first step.”
Bo: I think a lot of young people simply do not know where or how to take that first step. I know there were many times, I had to remind myself that success does not happen overnight, and that it takes time, effort, dedication and a willingness to continue learning and growing. I encourage today’s leaders to be the person who takes the time to encourage and invest in the next generation, because you never truly know the impact a simple conversation, opportunity or act of kindness can have on someone’s life. For me, all it took was one person who believed in me and encouraged me within the swine industry, along with my faith and the strong support system I have from my family and friends. Never say no to an opportunity to learn, grow or meet new people, and never stop working toward your goals.
Graf: Limited access to opportunities and resources, especially for those who did not grow up directly involved in agriculture. The industry requires a strong understanding of animal care, nutrition, management and business, and gaining that experience can be difficult without mentorship or hands-on involvement. In addition, the cost of entering production agriculture continues to rise, making it challenging for young people to start their own operations or invest in the industry early in their careers. I believe current industry leaders can help lower this hurdle by creating more opportunities for young people to gain experience and build connections. It’s important for leaders to actively encourage and invest in the next generation.
Henderson: It’s important for current leaders to remember that they, too, had to start somewhere. My generation is very eager to dive headfirst into the industry. I hope current leaders and professionals welcome young people with open arms and are eager to let them dive right in. I have had a wide variety of experiences to connect with young people across the industry who are so excited for life after college and the showring because they’re ready to make a positive impact. They’re curious, ambitious and passionate; it’s important to embrace these young people as they enter into their next step of the industry. The biggest “barrier” I see is how competitive our generation has become, yet I’m not sure I see that as a true barrier. It’s exciting to see how eager and knowledgeable young people are. It makes it so competitive for young people to earn internships, jobs, or whatever it may be. I encourage current leaders to be a source of knowledge and guidance for young people, no matter who they are.
Shike: Unfortunately, someone starting completely from scratch in pork production has enormous financial hurdles to overcome. I don’t believe there is a lot that current leaders can do to lower that obstacle. However, other barriers in terms of knowledge, experience and emotional support are places we can focus. No doubt, pork producers require a set of knowledge and skills to best care for their pigs. We can make this education available as well as continue to create opportunities for producers to learn about the most current research and information. While a young person could never have the experiences a pork producer of four decades has, we can create opportunities for the experienced to share tips, tricks and advice with new producers. Finally, raising livestock can be challenging, exhausting and emotionally draining. Prioritizing having resources in place for people to talk about their feelings and fill up their cup emotionally is essential.
Sponcil: The biggest barrier I see is that many young people simply do not know how to get involved or where to take their first steps in the swine industry. In my position, I believe one of the best ways to lower that barrier is by promoting organizations like NJSA and NSR to youth exhibitors. Those programs provide opportunities, mentorship and connections that make the industry feel more accessible and help young people gain confidence as they begin building their future in agriculture.
