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NJSA Junior Board Feature :: Haley Stark
What is your favorite aspect of being on the Junior Board?
I love watching our youth membership grow and develop, especially at events like NYLC. The NJSA has allowed me the opportunity to meet and interact with swine enthusiasts from across the country, and as a Florida native, that’s really cool because I didn’t have that opportunity very much in high school. Additionally, there’s no better spot to be than in the ring during the WPX and NJSS grand drives. Those moments really put into perspective the privilege it is to be on the Junior Board.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am the first person in my family to be involved in agriculture. In fact, when I was younger I expected my life to be very different than it is now. My childhood dream was actually to be a paleontologist and find dinosaurs because [ … ]
NJSA Junior Board Feature :: Jake Sterle
What is your favorite aspect of being on the Junior Board?
My favorite part about being on the Junior Board is setting up and running the many shows that we host and working with all those who are showing.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I will be shooting for the Iowa State Trap and Skeet Team this fall.
What is your favorite stock show memory?
My favorite show memories would have to be either when it snowed when we were showing in San Angelo, Texas because we usually didn’t get snow in Texas or helping line up trailers at WPX and getting to talk to all the families in line.
How do you hope to impact the agriculture industry?
I am currently a freshman double majoring in animal science and international agriculture at Iowa State University. Being a freshman, I am not sure where exactly I fit into the [ … ]
Stock Show Mamas
By: Jennifer Shike
Fellow show mamas, our job is not for the faint of heart. It takes a thick skin, superwoman strength, and lots and lots of patience. Before I had kids, I thought I knew what showing livestock as a family would look like. You know what I’m talking about…like the pictures we all post to Facebook. Kids smiling and getting along. Rock star pigs taking home all the banners. Everyone working real hard together. Smiling parents who always agree. Family bonding at its finest.
But, this weekend, as we loaded up for another jackpot show at 5 a.m., the stars aligned (or did the kids just drive me over the edge?!). Although I had planned to share my secrets of how to pack more effectively for the show, I suddenly felt led to share a different message instead.
From one mom to another, its simply hard some days. Pigs [ … ]
NJSA Junior Board Feature :: Whitney Whitaker
What is your favorite aspect of being on the Junior Board?
While the list of things to love about the Junior Board is long, the part I love most is the friends and relationships I have created. Especially being from California, I really enjoy getting to meet people from all over the country, both young and old.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Even if it may not come as a surprise to many, I am only 4’11” according to my drivers license. I know, you couldn’t tell from just looking at me.
What is your favorite stock show memory?
As I look back on stock show memories, it’s hard to narrow it down to one favorite memory. However, one part of my show career that I will always hold close to my heart is winning a Golden Bear just as I finished showing at my state fair.
How [ … ]
NJSA Junior Board Feature :: Dalton Smith
What is your favorite aspect of being on the Junior Board?
My favorite aspect of being on the Junior Board is getting to meet junior members and their families from all over the country at the NJSA shows. It’s a great experience being able to help them in the ring and getting to know them through the other contests.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I actually grew up on a dairy farm where my family milked around 100 Jersey cows. I grew to love showing more than just cattle and that is what led me to the NJSA.
What is your favorite stock show memory?
My favorite stock show memory is when my younger cousin won Reserve Champion Market Hog at the 2015 North American International Livestock Exposition. It was his first year showing pigs, so it was a great experience for our whole family. Now he’s [ … ]
Prep like a Pro
By: Lindsey Robinson
Like any sport, preparing your animal for the show ring takes time, patience, and a lot of dedication. Throughout my show career, I’ve found Robert Collier’s quote to be true when it comes to show preparation, “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.” There is no magic show stick, only a lot of practice.
Missouri summers aren’t known for their cool breezes so walking and feeding during the morning when its cool is important to maximize feed efficiency. At my house, pig showing is a family affair, which means I have four siblings to wake up before heading outside for morning chores. After years of this routine, we’ve learned not to speak to one another before either 1) they had coffee before heading out the door or 2) we’ve been outside for at least a half hour. Generally, we start [ … ]
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 [ … ]
NJSA Junior Board Feature :: Katherine Ramage
What is your favorite aspect of being on the Junior Board?
My favorite aspect of the Junior Board is that I get to travel the country with others who share my passion for showing pigs. I also love getting to help and interact with the youth who are just excited to be at the show.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
A fun fact about myself is that I started playing volleyball when I was 5 years old.
What is your favorite stock show memory?
My favorite stock show memories include having the to opportunity to serve on the NJSA Junior Board, meeting the people I have and winning champion gilt and barrow at my county fair.
How do you hope to impact the agriculture industry?
I hope I can impact the agriculture industry by helping shine a positive light on the industry and talk with those who are not [ … ]
NJSA Junior Board Feature :: Morgan Mench
What is your favorite aspect of being on the Junior Board?
My favorite aspect of having the honor to serve on the Junior Board is building relationships and making a network of people within the swine industry. During my interview I remember answering the question Craig Spray asked, “Why do you want to be on the Junior Board?” I explained that I enjoy hearing everyone’s stories throughout their journey of growth within this industry and how so much has changed over the years. I wanted to help NJSA members continue their development and succeed. It is an honor to help our youth move in a positive direction.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I always struggle with this question. I always say I have a younger sister who is my best friend and she doesn’t realize that I look up to her as much as she [ … ]
NJSA Junior Board Feature :: Caleb Grohmann
What is your favorite aspect of being on the Junior Board?
Being a role model for the largest youth livestock organization in the United States. I truly enjoy being able to have a positive impact on the kids’ lives, with the ultimate hope I can inspire them to strive to be the best they can be in each step of their lives.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
One of my goals is to develop a company that becomes one of the leading innovators within the commercial goat industry.
What is your favorite stock show memory?
The family experiences. Nothing brought the Grohmann family together more than travelling to hog shows!
How do you hope to impact the agriculture industry?
One of my main goals is to encourage positive progress within the swine industry that promotes the sustainability of pork production for all future generations to come. Moreover, I would [ … ]