Remember the Blue-Ribbon Lessons
By Cora Key, National Swine Registry Events and Education Manager
The National Junior Swine Association's (NJSA) 2024 Winter National was a cold, but very successful week for the show pig industry. Although the weather in the Peach State was not very “peachy,” the exhibitors, staff, volunteers and swine industry advocates were. More than 1,350 pigs were exhibited by over 600 youth from 23 states across the country. Most of these youth and their families came to chase purple banners. Little did they realize how many blue-ribbon lessons they would learn along the way.
Aside from showing their pigs, the junior and novice exhibitors took part in the mentoring program. Some of the highlights of this program were the leadership activities that took place on Wednesday afternoon, following the educational pork skillathon and showmanship contest that occurred earlier in the day.
A great reminder of the impact pig shows are having on young people all around the country. Photo by Cora Key.
This program allows the younger members to be partnered with an NJSA junior board of director member and a small group of similar-aged youth to network, ask questions, and most importantly, have fun. The NJSA junior board reached out to their “mentees” prior to their arrival and asked if they had any questions when gearing up for the show, and then greeted them with a smile when they arrived in Perry, Ga. Many of the parents, youth and NJSA board “mentors” were thankful that the event allowed them more opportunities to engage one on one and build lifelong relationships and connections with like-minded youth from across the country.
When people ask me what determined the success of the week at the Winter National, I'm quick to say it was not the numbers, two-ring format, or lack of complaints. It was simply the smile on the next generation’s faces as they took pride in their livestock. The future of the agriculture industry is in the hands of the next generation. It is our job as leaders in the swine industry to empower, uplift and give these dedicated youth the resources required to keep up with the ever-demanding changes in the swine industry.
When you have the opportunity to watch these youth gain real-life experiences and lessons of hard work, dedication and determination with smiles on their faces, it is easy to call the week a success. The mentoring program is one of many tools that can be utilized to create educational opportunities for our youth. As a result, the NJSA Junior Board looks forward to continuing to grow this program at The Exposition and the National Junior Summer Spectacular this summer.
As I look forward to spring, I will not be leaving the 2024 Winter National behind me. Instead, I will keep the memories, lessons and positive feedback in my heart as our team begins to prepare for the youth leadership conference in Raleigh, N.C., this April. My advice is for all Winter National exhibitors and families to do the same. Even if you didn't take home any blue ribbons, I encourage you to focus and remember the blue-ribbon lessons.
The goal of these youth events is to focus on leadership and educational opportunities outside of the show ring. In this industry, we are raising pigs to help raise our kids. Through scholarships, skillathons, leadership conferences, and mentoring opportunities, we can help the next generation reach their greatest potential in and out of the show ring.
From my own experience as a youth exhibitor, I can honestly say the best thing we can do for the youth of this industry is not teaching them how to be successful, but instead how to respond when they are not. As an exhibitor who found the gate more times than not, those were my blue-ribbon lessons along the way.
