Hey NSR! My name is Katie Powers and I am very excited to be the Pedigree Department Intern this summer. We are busy in the office preparing for the upcoming shows, and I cannot wait to attend these incredible events! Time is flying and they will be here in no time.
Please allow me to introduce myself. My background is diverse – I am a native of Townsend, Delaware, and a proud alum of Oklahoma State University. I just entered the “big kid world” on May 5th, when I graduated from OSU with my bachelors degree in animal science with an emphasis in livestock merchandizing.
Raising livestock and working on my family’s farm throughout my childhood fueled my passion for the agriculture industry and still burns steady to this day. I grew up raising and showing all four species of livestock. My first show project was a crossbred lamb at the age of eight, and then I acquired my first show pig project – a Duroc gilt – when I was nine. As I got older, my devotion to showing continued to grow.
What started as a small farm operation of commercial sheep, hogs, turkeys and steers for ‘farm fresh’ meat sales quickly expanded to a small herd of purebred Duroc, Yorkshire and Poland China sows, 100-head purebred flock of Dorset and Hampshire ewes, along with a few goat and club calf projects.
Breeding and raising my own livestock and showing at the local, state, regional and national levels has allowed me to make many connections with industry leaders. My brother, Will, and I have experienced much success with our projects. We were both active in FFA and 4-H growing up and attribute many of our accomplishments to these agricultural education organizations.
The countless hours spent in the barn with my family taking care of livestock, getting ready for stock shows and managing our family farm was a full-time commitment. However, the memories made and time spent with my family, especially with my brother, and the friends I met through showing can never be replaced.
Growing up in this tremendous industry has taught me countless life lessons. These lessons truly helped me succeed in my college career, and are now helping me take on the challenge of pursuing a career to make an impact on the livestock industry. To our junior members, I encourage you to appreciate the guidance and support of your mentors – ranging from parents, ag instructors and 4-H or industry leaders – these individuals will influence and shape your life.
I am very excited to be part of the NSR team and look forward to what this summer will bring. Best of luck in the upcoming shows – I look forward to meeting our breeders and seeing all of the entries at World Pork Expo!