Young Farmers
Gen Z’s challenges aren’t just academic; they’re personal, says Jill Bramble, president and CEO of 4-H. Many young people say they are falling short, unable to envision a successful future where they feel connected to their friends, families, and communities.
My goal is to tell the story behind the story in everything I do. But sometimes the stories extend past the space allowed. That’s why I’m starting The PORK Podcast.
FFA is a nearly limitless opportunity for young people to figure out who they are and what they want to do in life. Here are 10 lessons Farm Journal employees learned through FFA that they use every day.
Sudário Roberto Silva Junior is digging into the effects of postbiotics on sow performance and the microbiome of both sows and their offspring in his research at the University of Minnesota.
Beth Stevermer is pursuing a law degree so she can help create more transparency in the food industry, especially to prevent mislabeling of products and prevent consumers from receiving misinformation.
“Leveraging the passion and potential of our youth is crucial for the future of the pork industry,” says Lori Stevermer, President of NPPC.
In the list of the hardest things you’ll do in life, sending your firstborn to college may be toward the top.
Under the guidance of Iowa FFA and 4-H mentors, 16 Special Olympic athletes proudly presented their pigs in the Swine Barn during the Bacon Buddies® event.
First round of annual grant funding to support 21 local FFA chapter activities and operational needs.
Keeping pigs and people healthy is vital as youth continue to travel for swine exhibition shows. The detection of influenza A in dairy cattle earlier this year elevates the focus on diligent biosecurity for all livestock producers.
Unique show-pig experience offered to youth with disabilities.
Parents train, supervise and provide proper protective equipment to ensure their working children’s safety, and likewise, need to take precautions for the well-being of their younger, non-working kids.
Activist groups continue to seek out large gatherings as opportunities to garner attention for their messages against animal agriculture, and fairs and expos are no exception.
Every day, 33 serious injuries involving children occur on a farm or ranch in the United States, according to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.
Sign-ups are now open for the 2024 College Aggies Online Scholarship Program Last year, $20,000 in scholarships were awarded.
I wanted to be defensive. I wanted people to understand why it’s important and why it matters. I wanted to find a way to explain “our side of the story.”
Franklin FFA students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the swine show ring.
It looked like a bunch of run-down pig pens to most people, but not Nick Adams. All he could see was opportunity.
From a pragmatic approach to purchasing new technology to making more of the buying decisions on the farm, there are some interesting trends transpiring as more Next Gen farmers identify as an owner/operator on their farm.
What happens after you step foot out of the show ring with a market animal for the final time?
There’s a serious lack of communication between generations, and procrastination and conflict avoidance are killing agriculture, says Elaine Froese, a farm family transition expert.
“Proving you can do the small things well makes you that much more ready to take on the big things.” World Pork Expo was not only buzzing with pig farmers, it was also full of interns exploring the pork industry.
New research from National Pork Board shows there are more air fryers in homes across America than there are coffee makers, which means younger generations cook meals with appliances baby boomers may not even own.
Immeasurable passion for pigs, significant career opportunities and impactful mentors are just a few of the reasons why these young people say the pork industry is their future.
Challenge accepted. Eight college students from across the country will gather at the World Pork Expo for their first meeting to foster the next generation of leaders in the swine industry.
Cora Key says the health of pigs and people is always a top priority when she’s organizing national and regional pig shows across the country. NJSA is adding new biosecurity components into youth programming this year.
In 2009, Ohio State began studying influenza transmission at county fairs. In 2016, they started studying transmission at national shows. The results of the surveillance project have been interesting, says Clay Zwilling.
How can next-generation boar sperm analysis address the current shortcomings in sperm quality assessment? Iowa State University grad student Ian Shofner is exploring how artificial intelligence can help.
Aryeri Bardales knew graduate school in the U.S. wouldn’t be easy, but she believed it was the best chance for her to find her niche in the pork industry. Here’s how she’s working to improve pig livability.
“This is how we’ve always done it.” This is just one of the many excuses Nate Huntley hears about why farmers are skeptical about cover crops, trying new manure application or lowering carbon emissions.