West Lafayette, Ind. – Get your blue suede boots ready to go “Walking in Memphis” with the National Junior Swine Association! The ninth-annual National Youth Leadership Conference will be held in Memphis, Tenn., on April 30-May 2, 2010. Youth ages 14-21 will be challenged to make the most of their opportunities in life while broadening their knowledge of important swine industry issues.
An exciting slate of speakers and events is ready to rock this conference. Starting Friday, Beau Williamson, the 2006-2007 National FFA President, will present a motivational leadership workshop. Dr. Wes Jamison of Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida will discuss the animal rights movement – and teach youth what the word “anthropomorphism” means. Cindy Cunningham of the National Pork Board will help attendees polish up their interview skills through media training.
On Saturday participants will head across the Tennessee state border to nearby Cobb Farms in Lake City, Ark., to learn about cotton production, row cropping and showpigs. The day at the farm will include production tours as well as additional workshops on identifying diseases in swine, purebred genetic programs overseas, and becoming a mentor to younger NJSA members. In the evening, recreational activities will include swimming and a Wiffle Ball tournament.
Wrapping up the conference on Sunday will be an inspirational service by Ray Perryman of Texas, a panel discussion on internships, and workshops by members of the NJSA Board of Directors.
Additional presenters throughout the event include:
• Dr. Steve Copeland, DVM, Paragould, Ark.
• Steve and Aaron Cobb, Cobb Farms, Lake City, Ark.
• Tony Clayton, Clayton Agri-Marketing, Inc., Jefferson, Mo.
• Jamey Tosh, Tosh Farms, Henry, Tenn.
• Kelli Reiff, NJSA
• NJSA Board of Directors
Applications are due to the NSR office by March 20, and can be downloaded at www.nationalswine.com, and mailed to National Swine Registry, P.O. Box 2417, West Lafayette, IN 47996-2417. The conference fee is $140, and includes all rooms, meals, activities and a t-shirt. Travel scholarships are available to first-time attendees. For more information, contact Alan Duttlinger at alan@nationalswine.com or 765.463.3594.