A Grateful Mom on National Pig Day
It’s cold, windy and rather dreary in central Illinois today. But when I looked at the calendar, I had to smile despite my not-so-inspiring surroundings. It’s National Pig Day. Plus, it’s not even noon and I’m simply overwhelmed by gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the pork industry. Here’s why.
6:30 a.m.:
When I grabbed my phone, I was greeted by photos of our son caring for a sow in his FFA veterinary technology class at Unity High School. I couldn’t help but be grateful for FFA adviser Rich McCabe who sees the value in kids gaining practical, hands-on experience working with livestock. Plus, he took the time to take a photo and send it to me because he knows I’m a “memory capturer.”
To say our 15-year-old son was excited to go to first hour today to check on the sow and piglets is an understatement. We haven’t had the opportunity to raise our own pigs yet, but I know that is something he would like to do some day. Although he has a lot of practice caring for pigs, he’s never worked with sows and piglets before. You just never know where an experience like this will lead.
7 a.m.:
I was a bit nervous to approach my driven, should-be-sleepy-but-must-have-been-caffeinated, 17-year-old daughter finishing up some scholarship applications this morning. However, she was all smiles to get them off her plate and out the door. I find it a little ironic that all her applications due on National Pig Day stem back to the swine industry.
As I read over her essays, I couldn’t help but wonder what her life would be like without the swine industry and the amazing people who have made such an impact on it. No, we aren’t big pork producers, and some might argue that raising up showpigs doesn’t matter much in the big scheme of things. But I disagree. I know it has made all the difference in my children’s lives and I speak for many families just like ours.
Direction, responsibility, empathy, passion and determination to make a difference are just a few of the ways her pig projects have helped her define who she is and where she wants to go in life. As a high school senior, the vast opportunities before her can be overwhelming at times. She can see herself taking many paths, but all the paths involve agriculture, and she hopes, the swine industry.
9 a.m.:
I called up Missouri pork producer Jesse Heimer to visit briefly about a story idea. My career in the pork industry started in 2000 when I went to work for the National Swine Registry with a mission to develop the National Junior Swine Association from an idea into reality. Heimer became the first president of the National Junior Swine Association when it formed, and our paths have continued to intersect since. I appreciate being able to watch his career evolve in the swine industry from a handful of Hampshire sows when he was a kid. He’s a bridge builder, a path clearer and a deep thinker. We need people like Heimer who are always looking ahead and speaking up for youth, agriculture and the pork industry.
10:30 a.m.:
I get a series of texts from my former boss Darrell Anderson at the National Swine Registry. Not only has he been a strong mentor in my life and opened the door for me in the pork industry, but he continues to encourage and challenge me in my current role serving the pork industry as an agricultural journalist. Maybe even more importantly he supports my husband and I as parents and is always cheering on our kids from afar.
His last text to me (in the context of showing pigs) said, “Make sure you always keep the kid bigger than the pigs.” As I reflected on my more-than-usual nostalgic morning, his words rang very true to me. Those words been at the core of my life since 2000. They give me hope, purpose and grounding.
I am so excited about the future of the pork industry. You probably aren’t surprised that my excitement has nothing to do with profit margins and numbers. It has everything to do with the people who make it great. I know the bottom line matters the most – but I believe we will see better days ahead because of the pork industry’s innovative thinking around tomorrow’s challenges, the inspired work that goes into putting food on our tables and the deeply faithful people who work tirelessly to help the pork industry thrive.
I think National Pig Day should be celebrated every day!
Read more from Jennifer Shike:
No, He’s Not a Buffalo: Why We Can’t Avoid Their Questions Anymore
9 Rules Parents Throw Out the Window During Fair Week
There’s Just Something About Stock Show Friends
The Stock Show “Prize” We Need to Talk More About
