Young Farmers
The classic American meal of meat, potatoes and vegetables was fused with Japanese ingredients to win over judges at this year’s student Taste competition, hosted by the Iowa Pork Producers Association on Monday.
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. Here’s why.
Restaurant chain’s new initiative recognizes outstanding FFA members, offers prizes and educational opportunities. Here’s how FFA members can get involved.
When people ask what made Winter National a success, I’m quick to say it was not the numbers, format, or lack of complaints. It was simply the smile on the next generation’s faces as they took pride in their livestock.
Lilly Bru of Gladbrook was named the 2024 Iowa Pork Queen during the Iowa Pork Congress. She will be joined by Abby Elsamiller and Aubrey Johnson to serve on the Iowa Pork Youth Leadership Team.
Celebrating a shared passion for agriculture, 13 students from eight states met at The Maschhoffs in Carlyle, Ill., for its 6th Annual Leadership Experience Externship.
With a slogan of “raised, not sourced,” Tim Haer had a wild idea to differentiate their business: create a vending machine to sell meat produced on their family’s farm, an idea he says that’s been wildly successful.
There’s just something about the bond between youth exhibitors and their livestock. Stories of triumph, resilience, accountability and work ethic are some of the themes woven into 2023’s top stock show stories.
What started with an eagerness for a hands-on learning experience in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, ended with a new passion and opportunity for Carlie Rogers, a first-gen college student.
When I opened the door, my jaw dropped. Despite what every mother in her right mind would be tempted to do in that moment, I paused when I saw her black heels in the middle of the mess.
“Schillinger Farms is Prop 12 compliant in California.” Messages like this are popping up on social media as show pig producers who’ve become Proposition 12 certified prepare to sell show pigs in California in 2024.
The best day of his judging career, only four points shy of a 50-year-old record, will be how John Reaves of Spring, Texas, remembers being named high individual at the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest.
I’ll never forget my first 4-H speaking experience. It wasn’t very pleasant, and if I’m honest, tears were shed. But I survived. I learned. I gained confidence. I moved on. I got better, and that’s what I love about 4-H.
Oklahoma State University student Alexis Main and Les Voyageurs, a Louisiana State University club, took home the top prizes in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2023 College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship program.
Seeing the anticipation, excitement and hope that our youth have for this season of life reminds me of their optimism and zest for the future, says National Pork Board’s Brett Kaysen.
Davis Howell is the first to admit winning the 2023 National FFA Swine Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award is still a bit of a blur.
Do you know any graduate students who are passionate about the pork industry? If so, encourage them to apply for the 2024 Real Pork Scholars program. Applications are now available for the 2024 cohort.
A pig showman, golfer and FFA officer, Paizlee Hardin was a happy high school sophomore. But on March 15, her life as she knew it changed when she began experiencing “crazy symptoms” and lost her ability to walk.
The Butler Community College Livestock Judging team was named high team overall in a tight to the top of the junior collegiate contest at the 2023 North American International Livestock Exposition.
A large crowd gathered for the 4-H Livestock Contests results at the North American International Livestock Exposition on Nov. 15 in Louisville, Ky. Here are the winners in livestock judging, skillathon and quiz bowl.
Livestock judging changed the direction of Dale Hummel and Ryan Rash’s lives, opening up opportunities they never saw coming. They share 5 tips on how to score better in the reasons room.
It’s all about education in the classroom, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra told Agritalk host Chip Flory. Last week, Feenstra, alongside U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo, introduced the Future FARMER Act.
It’s not easy to be an award-winning FFA advisor, but Riley Hintzsche of Streator Township High School in Illinois, makes it look that way. Here’s one of his secrets and how that’s making an impact on the pork industry.
Zack Peppmeier is using image processing algorithms to help evaluate and select market and breeding swine. This could aid in genetic selection, saving the producer on labor and increasing a herd’s genetic potential.
Years ago, our 4-H club started a tradition of honoring its senior members during 4-H Week with a display sign in their hometown. I knew my daughter Olivia’s sign was coming.
Naomi Gretter, Kari Berg and Sky Hahn share a lot in common: teaching, motherhood and pig farming. Here’s why they quit their jobs and opened up a coffee truck in a quest to stop the “crazy life” and “grow slow.”
In a world where more and more young people are glued to electronic devices and missing out on community, FFA offers connection, hands-on learning and adult mentors to invest in their lives.
Although there’s nothing like getting the grand champion slap in front of a huge crowd in the coliseum, youth livestock exhibitors point out that a lot of hard work and tough lessons were learned behind the scenes first.
From lactose alternatives to the effects of varying feed intake levels during early gestation when sows are housed in a free-access housing setting, Rafe Royall is on a mission to improve profitability for pig farmers.
One may argue teenagers have a lot of learning left to do, but I could argue they are wiser than they get credit for. After all, they are in a period of life where they hear a lot of advice from well-meaning people.