< PreviousThe Main ThingApplaud when the champion is selected, shake the winners hand and above all “keep the main thing the main thing.”As you pick up this issue of the Seedstock EDGE, you are probably at a place in the summer of 2018 that has the World Pork Expo behind you and the National Junior Summer Spectacular and Summer Type Conference nearing its conclusion. These are easily our biggest events and are the highlight of the year for many of our breeders, exhibitors, parents and allied partners. Entering my second year as a NSR employee, I felt more confi dent going into these events. Inevitably, we all still have some nerves and anxiety. The NSR and its membership are blessed with a staff that is not only hard working and motivated, but truly invested in the cause and purpose of our events. Prior to departing for the World Pork Expo, I was texting Phillip Gentry, Agricultural Youth Director at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, about some future initiatives and preparing for events. He shared a quote that has infl uenced his staff and it resonated with me. After the 2018 Rose Bowl, a berth to the College Football National Championship, and a narrow victory by the University of Georgia Bulldogs, Head Coach Kirby Smart told ESPN Commentator Rece Davis, “We just keep the main thing the main thing.” *Disclaimer: This is not my public declaration of support for UGA athletics, but I am elated anytime the Sooners are on the losing side of the scoreboard. But I digress. “We just keep the main thing the main thing.” Not eloquent. Not spoken by what many of us would consider a global infl uencer. However, words that if we refl ect on them are quite powerful. As many of us attend stock shows across the country, we often hear judges and show offi cials say events are about the youth or the kids. It’s about family. It’s about the people. World Pork Expo was no exception. This point was mentioned multiple times during Grand Drive speeches. And I do fundamentally believe that many of our intents is to keep our industry about the people, particularly the youth.Nevertheless, our intents and actions are not always consistent. We are all guilty of it, myself included. We often get caught up in the minutia of what goes on around us and do not see the big picture. I refl ect about the times I jetted across the barn to handle a CVI question or report a broken toilet in the men’s restroom. And while I’m sure many of you are appreciative of these minor actions, I wonder how many of our NJSA members may have been ignored or interpreted my actions as more important than what was going on around them for their experience. I have shared with our staff that moving forward we need to take the Disney approach and ask: how can we create extraordinary experiences for every attendee? As we progress throughout the summer show season and into the future, let’s continue to “keep the main thing the main thing.” As you stand ringside and discuss a placing on class or someone’s showmanship style, just remember eyes are watching and ears are listening. Young people, and your peers, are watching you, emulating you and in many cases, trying to be you. My personal challenge to myself is when I get to the hotel at the end of a long day at show, did I “keep the main thing the main thing?” Or did I worry about where pens were, why the wash rack was so far from my pens, who won the class, or whether the sale was going to be a success the next day? I hope you refl ect on this as well. We are blessed with an industry and activity that surrounds us with many people who have similar values and beliefs as us. Let’s not forget that. Applaud when the champion is selected, shake the winner’s hand and above all “keep the main thing the main thing.”EDITORIALClay Zwilling | clay@nationalswine.comNSR V.P. of OperationsCatching UpJULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE10OLSENY ORKS.COMBEN: 605.660.2828 • CHUCK: 605.661.786429369 451st Ave. • Irene, SD 57037RES. CHAMPION YORKSHIRE & 4TH OVERALL GILT, 2018 WPX JUNIOR NATIONALCongratulations Baleigh Hilton!Sold in our February Online Sale.PATHFINDER x BRUNONEW!NEW!IRRESISTIBLELOOKOUTCOBRA x THE GRIZZ11JULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGESummer is heating up, and for many NJSA members, that means spending time with friends and family at the county or state fair, and hopefully, the National Junior Summer Spectacular! The NJSS has always been my favorite show of the summer, and spending the Fourth of July anywhere but Louisville seems crazy to me. I attended my fi rst NJSS back in high school. I looked forward to spending the week with my family and the fi erce competition from some of my best friends. Back then, there wasn’t a barrow show, and the pigs didn’t take up nearly as much of the barn as they do today. I was fortunate, with the help of my dad and brother to have experienced great success at NJSS. The banners have faded, but what remains are the relationships that were built on those green shavings. The people I met at NJSS are now some of my best friends and peers in the swine industry. Many of you know Kaley Bontrager, my co-worker at NSR for three years before her departure in 2017. Kaley and I met at NJSS. She befriended me and introduced me to so many of my current friends from all over the nation; she was pretty popular. Kaley and I spent a lot of time together in the West Wing of the Kentucky Expo Center, and we are still friends to this day. Looking back at old photos reminded me that my now sister-in-law and I once competed on a team together that won the Barnyard Olympics event. You never know when the person next to you in the holding pen could end up your spouse or best friend or maybe even a mentor down the road. Take the opportunity to get to know the folks penned across the alley, and be a helping hand to those attending their fi rst NJSA event. Whether you win the show, or humbly get dismissed from your showmanship class, NJSS is a great opportunity for all who attend. I encourage our members to take advantage of all the show has to offer, from the corn toss tournament to skillathon. My team and I are working hard to make this NJSS an unforgettable one you will not want to miss! It’s a Summer Spectacular“You never know when the person next to you in the holding pen could end up your spouse or best friend or maybe even a mentor down the road.”2011 Champion Barnyard Olympic Team2008 Second Place Intermediate Judging Team2010 3rd Overall Duroc Gilt & Champion Bred & Owned Duroc GiltEDITORIALEllen Knauth | ellen@nationalswine.comNSR Director of Junior ShowsYouth ViewJULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE1213JULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGEThis past weekend was Father’s Day and I stopped by my parent’s house to wish my father a Happy Father’s Day and give him his gift.My parent’s and I sat down and talked awhile about different topics such as how work was going and how the family was doing. As I sat there listening to my parent’s, I was once again struck by the weirdness, that my parent’s were talking to me as an adult. Here I was, a 43 year old young man, and I still found it weird to be asked about things like I was an equal to two of the most important people in my life who made me, well, me.As a kid I looked up to my parents, especially my Dad, as gods among men and women. As I got older and entered into my teenage years, things got a little more murky in the feelings-about-my-parents department, but I blame hormones and immaturity on that. I think the majority of us could say that about that time in our lives. It was during this time though, that even if I was irritated by all their suggestions (rules) and thoughts on a subject, later on in life I have found that these things have stuck with me and served me well in my life as an adult.Things that at one time brought a mumbled “...whatever...” from my lips. For some reason I would do this out loud instead of just thinking it. My parents would hear it and give me the “What was that?” and I would mumble “Nothing!” back. They knew, and I knew they knew, that I had said something smart aleck. It was like I was trying to get in trouble. What an idiot I was!As I went to college, I will admit that I still had quite a bit more growing up to do. But, during this time, little nuggets of things said and advice given, started to make their way into my everyday life. I would still never admit it to anyone, but my parent’s were starting to sound like they may have actually known what they were talking about. We move on to me getting married. It was at this point that everything they had taught me really started to take hold. I had come to the conclusion that my parents had given me the tools that I would need to succeed in life. Now, I had fi nally taken what they had given me and made it work in my life. They have been, and always will be, my top role models.So I’m asking you to think about what all your parents have done for you in your life and when you talk to them next, just let them know they gave you what you needed, even when you were to naive to know, to succeed in life.Thank you to all the parents out there who support their children every day, all day. You are more important than you may realize in your kid’s lives – today, tomorrow and every day into the future.Role Models“They knew, and I knew they knew, that I had said something smart aleck. It was like I was trying to get in trouble. What an idiot I was!”EDITORIALStephen Weintraut II | stevew@nationalswine.comNSR Director of Marketing & CommunicationsFueling CreativityJULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE14Thoughtsfrom therayperryman10@yahoo.comshortroundministries.org806.790.9298Hello one and all out there in Seedstock EDGE land. This day I want to share with you something out of Luke 10:38-42. In this passage of scripture you will fi nd that Jesus came to visit sisters Mary and Martha. Now Martha was frantically doing everything she felt had to be done since Jesus was in the house. Mary, on the other hand, was just sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to all he was saying. Oh boy did that ever make Martha mad! She ran to Jesus and explained to him how bad it was that Mary wasn’t helping her. Jesus simply looked at her and declared that Mary had chosen the one thing that mattered and it would not be taken from her. Imagine that, the one thing! I wonder if you and I need to slow down and simply make better choices about what is important in our lives. It seems that sometimes I fi nd I’m struggling to get everything just right when God is saying just stop and I will make it right. You see, we get so busy we forget about the importance of relationships in our lives, not only with God, but our family and friends as well. We need each other on this journey called life. So how about you and I just slow down and listen to what Jesus is saying, because He is in the house. We love each of you, and if you need us, please feel free to contact us. Ray Perryman and familyIn Him, 15JULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGEFIELD REPRESENTATIVESMichael Lackey • 765.427.3733Mickey Bellamy • 765.427.7741Clay Parrish • 765.421.1155NSR INTERNSGabryelle Gilliam • NJSA • Ext. 121Bridget Halat • Marketing & Communications • Ext. 113Payton Dahmer • Field Staff • 417.448.4934Keeping you connected with news in the purebred swine industry. INFORMATIONFor YourTo submit announcements for FYI, contact stevew@nationalswine.com.CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERMike Paul • Ext. 107V.P. OF OPERATIONSClay Zwilling • Ext. 106V.P. OF GLOBAL TECHNICAL SERVICEDr. Doug Newcom • Ext. 116PEDIGREE DEPT. DIRECTOR & ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTLisa Kennedy • Ext. 105CONTROLLERMindee Pollard • Ext. 108DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONSStephen Weintraut II • Ext. 118SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR & EDITORCassie Godwin • Ext. 111DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR SHOWSEllen Olson Knauth • Ext. 101DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & OUTREACHAustin Pueschel • Ext. 109DNA SECRETARYWhitney Webb • Ext. 102 DUROC SECRETARYTaran Eads • Ext. 120LANDRACE/HAMPSHIRE SECRETARYMegan Dragstrem • Ext. 100YORKSHIRE SECRETARYWhitney Hendricks • Ext. 112SOFTWARE DEVELOPERNicholas Weller • Ext. 104EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dusty Cain, Iowa CHAIRMAN • 641.203.2257Brett Beyers, Ill. VICE CHAIRMAN • 815.848.3549Kyle Baade Neb. • 402.239.2229Dan Burzlaff, Iowa • 563.357.1957Steve Cobb, Ark. • 870.219.7281 Cody McCleery, Texas • 817.613.6666Jim McCoy, Ohio • 740.572.0271Bill Range, Ill. • 618.973.1070Lynsee Shaffer-Pullen, Ind. • 765.717.9924Dr. Mike Tripp, Okla. • 580.513.0723DUROC BOARDDon R. Smith, Ohio PRES. • 2020* Doug Albright, Mich. V.P. • 2019Joe Roberts, Mo. • 2018* Brett Beyers, Ill. • 2019*Chad Hill, Texas • 2019Jayson Butts, Wis. • 2020Darrell Drake, Ind. • 2020 HAMPSHIRE BOARDDusty Cain, Iowa PRES. • 2018*Kyle Baade, Neb. V.P. • 2019 Mike Day, Okla. • 2019Jim McCoy, Ohio • 2019*Mike Watson, Ind. • 2020*Kevin Wendt, Ohio • 2020*LANDRACE BOARDLynsee Shaffer-Pullen, Ind. PRES. • 2019*Nick Siedelmann, Iowa V.P. • 2018Sam Malcolm, Ind. • 2018Mark Korb, Ohio • 2019 Jonas McGrew, Ill. • 2019 Russell Pedrett, Calif. • 2020Freddie Grohmann, Ill. • 2020YORKSHIRE BOARDDr. Mike Tripp, Okla. PRES. • 2018*Broc Thompson, Ohio V.P. • 2020*Dan Burzlaff, Iowa • 2018*Steve Cobb, Ark. • 2019Matt Rohrig, Iowa • 2019*Ben Olsen, S.D. • 2020Kevin Ricker • 2020*denotes second term2639 Yeager Road • West Lafayette, IN 47906765.463.3594 • nationalswine.comINDUSTRY NEWSFMD LANGUAGE IN SENATE AGRICULTURE PANEL’S FARM BILL The National Pork Producers Council was encouraged that the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry included in its 2018 Farm Bill, language estab-lishing a vaccine bank to deal with an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).FMD is an infectious viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals, including cattle, pigs and sheep; it is not a food safety or human health threat. Although the disease was last detected in the United States in 1929, it is endemic in many parts of the world.“This is encouraging news for the livestock industry,” said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio, and chairman of NPPC’s Farm Bill Policy Task Force. “With a vaccine bank, we’ll fi nally be able to adequately prepare for an FMD outbreak. But we do need mandatory funding to make it work.”NPPC has been urging lawmakers to include for each year of the next fi ve-year Farm Bill mandatory funding of $150 million for the vaccine bank, $70 million in block grants to the states for disease prevention and $30 million for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), which provides diagnostic support to assist in managing diseases in the United States.Currently, the United States does not have access to enough FMD vaccine to handle more than a small, localized outbreak. According to Iowa State University economists, an FMD outbreak in the United States, which would prompt countries to close their markets to U.S. meat exports, would cost the beef and pork industries a combined $128 billion over 10 years if farmers weren’t able to combat the disease through vaccination. The corn and soybean industries would lose over a decade $44 billion and $25 billion, respectively; and economy-wide job losses would top 1.5 million.“Having a vaccine bank will mitigate the economic harm of an outbreak,” Heimerl said. “Pork producers thank the Senate agriculture committee, Chairman Roberts and JULY 1-7, 2018 NSR SUMMER TYPE CONF.NJSA NATIONAL JUNIOR SUMMER SPECTACULARLouisville, Ky.JULY 11, 2018 AUGUSTSEEDSTOCK EDGE Advertising DeadlineAUG. 8, 2018 NJSA SOUTHWEST REGIONAL Entry DeadlineAUG. 15, 2018 NBS® OPEN & JR. SHOWEntry DeadlineAUG. 15, 2018 SEPTEMBER SHOWPIG ISSUESEEDSTOCK EDGE Advertising DeadlineAUG. 30-SEPT. 2, 2018 NJSA SOUTHWEST REGIONAL Woodward, Okla.SEPT. 5, 2018 NJSA EASTERN REGIONAL Entry DeadlineSEPT. 8-9, 2018 NBS® JUNIOR CLASSICAustin, Minn.SEPT. 8-12, 2018 NATIONAL BARROW SHOW® Austin, Minn.SEPT. 26, 2018 OCT./NOV.SEEDSTOCK EDGE Advertising Deadline&DATES DEADLINESJUL1CORRECTIONSIn the June 2018 issue of Seedstock EDGE we misspelled the name of the winner to the right. The correct spelling is listed. The Seedstock EDGE staff apologizes for the mistake.JUL11AUG8AUG15AUG15AUG30SEP5SEP8SEP8Ranking Member Stabenow for their efforts on this very important issue for livestock agriculture.”In late April, 15 senators, led by John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., urged Roberts and Stabenow to include FMD language in the Senate Farm Bill, saying in a letter that a vaccine bank “would help to adequately address risks to animal health, livestock export markets, and industry economic stability.”For more information, visit www.nppc.org.Animal Agriculture Alliance announces return of College Aggies OnlineScholarship competition kicks off Sept. 10The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced that its annual College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship program will return this fall, kicking off September 10. The nine-week program, now in its 10th year, brings together students from across the country to develop life-long advocates for agriculture. Registration is open and spon-sorship opportunities are available.This year the competition will feature an undergraduate and graduate division for the fi rst time. “We are excited to watch the program grow every year,” said Casey Kinler, Alliance communica-tions manager. “Adding a graduate division will give students more opportunities to win scholarships and be recognized as future leaders at the Alliance’s annual Stakeholders Summit.”Students will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders while enhancing their communication skills. Each week participants receive training from industry experts about current and emerging issues in agriculture. Students earn points by completing weekly challenges, including writing a blog post, designing an infographic, creating social media content, attending webinars and more.Student organizations can also participate as a group and complete club challenges. These challenges include holding an “Dairy Day,” teaching at local elementary schools, handing out candy wrapped with meat myths and facts, and many more. The clubs receive points for each challenge they complete.Collegiate clubs and individuals interested in becoming confi dent communicators on behalf of agriculture are invited to sign up at http://collegeaggies.animalagalliance.org.Res. Champion Overall & Champion Hampshire Male ProspectShown by Dave Hanson, Ind. Sold to Fowler Girls, Ill., for $800. SEP26JULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE16FIELD REPRESENTATIVESMichael Lackey • 765.427.3733Mickey Bellamy • 765.427.7741Clay Parrish • 765.421.1155NSR INTERNSGabryelle Gilliam • NJSA • Ext. 121Bridget Halat • Marketing & Communications • Ext. 113Payton Dahmer • Field Staff • 417.448.4934Keeping you connected with news in the purebred swine industry. INFORMATIONFor YourTo submit announcements for FYI, contact stevew@nationalswine.com.CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERMike Paul • Ext. 107V.P. OF OPERATIONSClay Zwilling • Ext. 106V.P. OF GLOBAL TECHNICAL SERVICEDr. Doug Newcom • Ext. 116PEDIGREE DEPT. DIRECTOR & ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTLisa Kennedy • Ext. 105CONTROLLERMindee Pollard • Ext. 108DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONSStephen Weintraut II • Ext. 118SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR & EDITORCassie Godwin • Ext. 111DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR SHOWSEllen Olson Knauth • Ext. 101DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & OUTREACHAustin Pueschel • Ext. 109DNA SECRETARYWhitney Webb • Ext. 102 DUROC SECRETARYTaran Eads • Ext. 120LANDRACE/HAMPSHIRE SECRETARYMegan Dragstrem • Ext. 100YORKSHIRE SECRETARYWhitney Hendricks • Ext. 112SOFTWARE DEVELOPERNicholas Weller • Ext. 104EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dusty Cain, Iowa CHAIRMAN • 641.203.2257Brett Beyers, Ill. VICE CHAIRMAN • 815.848.3549Kyle Baade Neb. • 402.239.2229Dan Burzlaff, Iowa • 563.357.1957Steve Cobb, Ark. • 870.219.7281 Cody McCleery, Texas • 817.613.6666Jim McCoy, Ohio • 740.572.0271Bill Range, Ill. • 618.973.1070Lynsee Shaffer-Pullen, Ind. • 765.717.9924Dr. Mike Tripp, Okla. • 580.513.0723DUROC BOARDDon R. Smith, Ohio PRES. • 2020* Doug Albright, Mich. V.P. • 2019Joe Roberts, Mo. • 2018* Brett Beyers, Ill. • 2019*Chad Hill, Texas • 2019Jayson Butts, Wis. • 2020Darrell Drake, Ind. • 2020 HAMPSHIRE BOARDDusty Cain, Iowa PRES. • 2018*Kyle Baade, Neb. V.P. • 2019 Mike Day, Okla. • 2019Jim McCoy, Ohio • 2019*Mike Watson, Ind. • 2020*Kevin Wendt, Ohio • 2020*LANDRACE BOARDLynsee Shaffer-Pullen, Ind. PRES. • 2019*Nick Siedelmann, Iowa V.P. • 2018Sam Malcolm, Ind. • 2018Mark Korb, Ohio • 2019 Jonas McGrew, Ill. • 2019 Russell Pedrett, Calif. • 2020Freddie Grohmann, Ill. • 2020YORKSHIRE BOARDDr. Mike Tripp, Okla. PRES. • 2018*Broc Thompson, Ohio V.P. • 2020*Dan Burzlaff, Iowa • 2018*Steve Cobb, Ark. • 2019Matt Rohrig, Iowa • 2019*Ben Olsen, S.D. • 2020Kevin Ricker • 2020*denotes second term2639 Yeager Road • West Lafayette, IN 47906765.463.3594 • nationalswine.comINDUSTRY NEWSFMD LANGUAGE IN SENATE AGRICULTURE PANEL’S FARM BILL The National Pork Producers Council was encouraged that the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry included in its 2018 Farm Bill, language estab-lishing a vaccine bank to deal with an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).FMD is an infectious viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals, including cattle, pigs and sheep; it is not a food safety or human health threat. Although the disease was last detected in the United States in 1929, it is endemic in many parts of the world.“This is encouraging news for the livestock industry,” said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio, and chairman of NPPC’s Farm Bill Policy Task Force. “With a vaccine bank, we’ll fi nally be able to adequately prepare for an FMD outbreak. But we do need mandatory funding to make it work.”NPPC has been urging lawmakers to include for each year of the next fi ve-year Farm Bill mandatory funding of $150 million for the vaccine bank, $70 million in block grants to the states for disease prevention and $30 million for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), which provides diagnostic support to assist in managing diseases in the United States.Currently, the United States does not have access to enough FMD vaccine to handle more than a small, localized outbreak. According to Iowa State University economists, an FMD outbreak in the United States, which would prompt countries to close their markets to U.S. meat exports, would cost the beef and pork industries a combined $128 billion over 10 years if farmers weren’t able to combat the disease through vaccination. The corn and soybean industries would lose over a decade $44 billion and $25 billion, respectively; and economy-wide job losses would top 1.5 million.“Having a vaccine bank will mitigate the economic harm of an outbreak,” Heimerl said. “Pork producers thank the Senate agriculture committee, Chairman Roberts and JULY 1-7, 2018 NSR SUMMER TYPE CONF.NJSA NATIONAL JUNIOR SUMMER SPECTACULARLouisville, Ky.JULY 11, 2018 AUGUSTSEEDSTOCK EDGE Advertising DeadlineAUG. 8, 2018 NJSA SOUTHWEST REGIONAL Entry DeadlineAUG. 15, 2018 NBS® OPEN & JR. SHOWEntry DeadlineAUG. 15, 2018 SEPTEMBER SHOWPIG ISSUESEEDSTOCK EDGE Advertising DeadlineAUG. 30-SEPT. 2, 2018 NJSA SOUTHWEST REGIONAL Woodward, Okla.SEPT. 5, 2018 NJSA EASTERN REGIONAL Entry DeadlineSEPT. 8-9, 2018 NBS® JUNIOR CLASSICAustin, Minn.SEPT. 8-12, 2018 NATIONAL BARROW SHOW® Austin, Minn.SEPT. 26, 2018 OCT./NOV.SEEDSTOCK EDGE Advertising Deadline&DATES DEADLINESJUL1CORRECTIONSIn the June 2018 issue of Seedstock EDGE we misspelled the name of the winner to the right. The correct spelling is listed. The Seedstock EDGE staff apologizes for the mistake.JUL11AUG8AUG15AUG15AUG30SEP5SEP8SEP8Ranking Member Stabenow for their efforts on this very important issue for livestock agriculture.”In late April, 15 senators, led by John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., urged Roberts and Stabenow to include FMD language in the Senate Farm Bill, saying in a letter that a vaccine bank “would help to adequately address risks to animal health, livestock export markets, and industry economic stability.”For more information, visit www.nppc.org.Animal Agriculture Alliance announces return of College Aggies OnlineScholarship competition kicks off Sept. 10The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced that its annual College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship program will return this fall, kicking off September 10. The nine-week program, now in its 10th year, brings together students from across the country to develop life-long advocates for agriculture. Registration is open and spon-sorship opportunities are available.This year the competition will feature an undergraduate and graduate division for the fi rst time. “We are excited to watch the program grow every year,” said Casey Kinler, Alliance communica-tions manager. “Adding a graduate division will give students more opportunities to win scholarships and be recognized as future leaders at the Alliance’s annual Stakeholders Summit.”Students will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders while enhancing their communication skills. Each week participants receive training from industry experts about current and emerging issues in agriculture. Students earn points by completing weekly challenges, including writing a blog post, designing an infographic, creating social media content, attending webinars and more.Student organizations can also participate as a group and complete club challenges. These challenges include holding an “Dairy Day,” teaching at local elementary schools, handing out candy wrapped with meat myths and facts, and many more. The clubs receive points for each challenge they complete.Collegiate clubs and individuals interested in becoming confi dent communicators on behalf of agriculture are invited to sign up at http://collegeaggies.animalagalliance.org.Res. Champion Overall & Champion Hampshire Male ProspectShown by Dave Hanson, Ind. Sold to Fowler Girls, Ill., for $800. SEP2617JULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGEOBITUARIESJUDITH S. SEE 1942-2018Judith S. See, 76, of Carleton, died peacefully May 23, 2018 at Wellsprings Lutheran Home under the care of Promedica Hospice.Judy was born January 1, 1942 in Wayne, MI to the late Cletus and Evelyn Smith. She married her life-time sweetheart and confi dant, Larry, on June 24, 1961 who preceded her in death on November 4, 2013. Her passing was also preceded by her two brothers, Gerald of Canton and John (Jack) Smith of Sparta, Tn.She is survived by her two sons, Larry, Jr of Monroe and Miles Todd of Raleigh, N.C. A daughter in law, Leslie See of Raleigh, grandson, Garrett and his wife, Marisa Linton See of Lincoln, Neb., granddaughter, Emma Elizabeth See of Raleigh, her sisters-in-law (Carol and Linda Smith, Janice Stever and Audrey Kocsis), brother-in-law (Bob Kocsis) , numerous nieces and nephews and her very large, extended and cherished 4-H family.Judy, a longtime Monroe County 4-H Agent, retired in 2014 after 30 plus years on the job and having spent fi ve decades pouring herself into Monroe County 4-H. Judy embodied volunteerism not only as a volunteer herself but also in her gift in organizing and leading large groups of adult and youth volunteers. Prior to becoming 4-H Agent, she and her husband were the community leaders of the largest and most well respected 4-H club in the state, the Carleton Go-Getters. She was a past general 4-H superintendent for the Monroe County Fair and currently was assistant general superintendent for awards, a program she started and nurtured. She was recently made an honorary member of the Monroe County 4-H Fair Advisory Board. Through her roles in 4-H, she valued her relationship with the county fair board and fair managers. During the fair each year she was always among the fi rst to arrive and the last to leave the fairgrounds. In addi-tion, she was active in statewide 4-H programs working closely with the Michigan 4-H State Awards Program and Exploration Days where Judy and Larry always celebrated their wedding anniversary. Judy also served on the Board of Trustees of the Monroe County Library System for twenty years including service as chair of the board.She was also passionate about pigs and loved raising them on the farm in Carleton. She assisted her husband in the swine department at the Michigan State Fair, Detroit, during his many years as superintendent. Judy and Larry were recognized with the 2001 Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Pork Producers Association and Judy was active nationally serving, sixteen years, on the board of directors of the National Pork Council Women followed by service on the board of the National Pork Producers Council when those two associations merged.Judy most loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was an active supporter of the Farmdale Friends 4-H Club. She never missed an opportunity to attend and support her grandchildren and their friends at their local 4-H livestock show, the North Carolina State Fair, the North American International Livestock Exposition and National Junior Swine Shows across the country. When not traveling to visit fairs throughout the state and nation, her vehicle never met an antique store or outlet mall it did not like and could always be counted on to stop and spend a few hours.The family wishes to extend their thanks to the caring staff at Visiting Angels of Monroe, Wellsprings Lutheran Services, and Promedica Hospice.The family is establishing a scholarship endowment for Monroe County 4-Hers in Judy's memory. In lieu of fl owers, memorial contributions may be made out to Community Foundation of Monroe County and note Judy See in the memo line. Community Foundation of Monroe County, 28 S. Macomb Street, Monroe, MI 48161.Visitation was held May 30 at Rupp Funeral Home, where a service was held led by Gary Koppelman of Blissfi eld. Interment followed at Woodland Cemetery in Monroe.Online condolences to the family may be made through www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com.NSR NEWSParrish joins NSR staffThe National Swine Registry (NSR) welcomed Clay Parrish to the team, in June, as Eastern Region Field Representative. In his new role, Parrish will represent the NSR at all national events and assist members in the Eastern Region with the selec-tion, management and marketing of their purebred swine genetics. Clay Parrish graduated from the University of Saint Francis with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Purebred swine have been a part of Clay’s life from the beginning. Growing up in Edon, Ohio, on a purebred Duroc operation, Clay knew from a young age that he wanted to be involved in this industry.Before joining the NSR staff, Clay worked for The Maschhoffs as a Production Manager in Southeast Iowa. During college, Clay interned with the American Berkshire Association as a marketing intern where he produced marketing materials for the ABA. Clay looks forward to combining his communication degree and industry experience with his lifelong passion for the purebred swine industry. Clay ParrishJULY 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE18Next >