2018 NSR Interns

Payton Dahmer, Missouri

Growing up Payton was very involved in his 4-H club and FFA chapter, specifically the livestock judging team, while showing both pigs and sheep at the state and national level. He has also enjoyed being a member of the NJSA over the years and meeting new people at NJSA events. Payton is a 2017 graduate of Butler Community College where I received an associate’s degree in agriculture and was on a very competitive livestock judging team. Currently, he is a junior at Kansas State University majoring in animal science and industry with a business option. At K-State, Payton is a member of the livestock judging team and involved with K-State’s Block and Bridle and the Swine Interest Group. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Payton plans to get a master’s degree in swine nutrition and ultimately obtain a career in the swine industry.

Payton is most excited to network with purebred breeders across the country and learn from their programs in addition to working with the NSR staff this summer.

Gabryelle Gilliam, Kansas

Gabryelle Gilliam grew up around livestock and developed a passion that has driven her to find a career working with youth in the agricultural industry. Being raised on a family farm led Gilliam to start showing livestock at a very young age; she fell in love with showing pigs early on in her life. She has showed at nearly every national show and WPX is one of her favorites. Gilliam was very involved in 4-H and FFA in high school serving numerous officer positions as well as being elected as a Kansas FFA State Officer in 2015. After high school, Gilliam began college at Kansas State University where she is currently majoring in Animal Science and Industry with a Production Management option and a minor in Agronomy. At K-State she is a member of the College of Agriculture Ambassadors and currently serves as the training class coordinator for all new members.

Gilliam had the opportunity to intern with extension last summer and is looking forward to working with youth again this summer, especially in the swine industry. She knows that her passion for the industry and ability to communicate will help her build relations with members and producers across the country.

Bridget Halat, Illinois

Bridget has always seen herself as ending up with a career within the swine industry, in which she is extremely passionate about. She grew up on a diversified grain farm while exhibiting show pigs at county, state and national shows. She started showing when she was just 5 years old at the county fair open show and is actively involved in showing on the Illinois Club Pig Association sanctioned shows. Throughout high school, Bridget was very active in 4-H as the club President and in FFA, being both the Chapter President and Section 6 Secretary.

Bridget will be a senior at Iowa State University working to obtain a degree in Communication Studies while minoring in both Advertising and International Agriculture. At Iowa State, Bridget is very involved in the Block and Bridle Club, particularly in the Swine Interest Group serving as the President. Aside from Block and Bridle, Bridget is also involved in different committees for the Iowa State Bacon Expo. Bridget also has participated in two study abroad programs (Costa Rica and Argentina) and served as a marketing intern for Wyffels Hybrids this past summer.

Bridget is excited to be able to share her passion for this industry that she cares so deeply about and work alongside some of the greatest individuals within the industry learning new skills.