FFA

3 Stock Show Lessons That Don't Make the Highlight Reels

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:34:57 GMT

Even though I know the easy path is rarely the best path, I will admit it would be nice to be on it once in a while. Juggling three children, numerous animals, two jobs and little sleep while traveling to three national shows within a month was beginning to make my husband and I just a little grumpy this summer.

I’m pretty sure he’s not the only stock show dad who threatens, “We could just buy a boat and go to the lake next summer instead of showing livestock.”

No one ever raises their hand for that idea, so we keep at it. And if we are truthful, even though the lack of sleep and possibly too much time together can take its toll, there is nothing we would rather spend our summers doing than showing livestock together.

Although the champion animals often make the highlight reels and headlines, I would argue the most important things happening at shows are less talked about. Here are three lessons I re-learned that go far beyond bringing home a banner.

1. There is more in you than you know.
As I sat on the bleachers during the closing ceremonies in Louisville, Ray Perryman shared a message with the families in attendance that I think more people need to hear.

“There is more in you than what you know,” Perryman said. “You were born for a purpose – to make this world better. Quit fitting in and begin to show out.”

We waste our time comparing our lives to others when we really need to be living into the unique talents and skillsets we have been given. There’s a lot of pressure on our kids today to fit into the mold and prioritize what their teachers, coaches and even parents want them to prioritize. We need to help them realize their voice has a purpose.

2. You have to be uncomfortable to grow.
I like to say I embrace change, but sometimes it’s just not fun to change. It’s fun to change things like your outfit, your vehicle or the TV series you are binging. It’s not fun to change things like your schedule, your passwords or your focus. That can be uncomfortable, and who wants that?

“Sometimes you’ve got to step out of where you are comfortable so you can go where you are needed,” Perryman continued.

Every time I’ve been uncomfortable, I’ve grown. I’ve also been a little scared and worried about what would or wouldn’t happen in those moments. But in the end, I was better. As I watched my youngest get ready to step into the ring that week, her nerves were on full display. When the gate opened and she drove her pig to the judge, I could see the nerves begin to lift and the focus form.

Being uncomfortable makes her better. It makes her discover parts of herself that she didn’t know were there. It opens doors for her to go new places and try new things.

3. You aren’t alone.
As humans, we want to know that we aren’t alone. In fact, experts suggest the desire to belong was critical for our ancestors’ survival. The need for social connection is a fundamental human drive rooted in our biology and essential for both mental and physical health.

It makes sense why our family feels such a deep connection with other families who do what we do at these shows. There’s an understanding of what it took to get to the show, the sacrifices made and the expenses incurred.

I love how the stock show industry connects us and brings us together around shared goals and passions. In a world that often feels so divided, it feels pretty good to know that we’re all coming together for a common purpose in the show ring.

We aren’t even two weeks out from a busy summer showing livestock, but we are already missing it. I guess that makes the sleepless nights and grumpy moods worth it.

Read More:
There’s No Tired Like State Fair Tired
Odd One in the Room? Embrace It
The Power of a Mentor: How You Can Inspire the Next Generation

8 Easy, Cost-Effective Tips To Maximize Biosecurity On The Farm And At The Fair This Summer

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:32:36 GMT

When it comes to biosecurity, livestock producers should have protocols in place for both on the farm and when taking animals to fairs or exhibitions. Live animals, vehicles, equipment, animal products and people can carry disease onto farms.

University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Chloe Collins says preparation helps producers know what they are up against.

“This will help your biosecurity practices run smoothly and effectively,” she says.

With it being county and state fair season for many parts of the country, University of Missouri Extension veterinarian Corinne Bromfield says there are easy things producers can do to improve biosecurity and help minimize transmission of diseases.

“Many think biosecurity needs to be intense and expensive, but small, consistent actions can pay big dividends,” Bromfield says.

Collins and Bromfield share basic biosecurity steps that cost little to nothing but can save a lot of money and headaches:

Check health requirements for exhibitions. Many events require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), or health certificate from a veterinarian — especially for livestock traveling from out of state. This helps ensure only healthy animals go to shows, reducing the likelihood animals will pick up something at the show and bring it back home. If livestock exhibit any signs of contagious disease, such as coughing, diarrhea or skin irritations, they should be left at home.

Dedicated clothing. People taking animals to fairs should wear dedicated clothing and footwear at the fair and not bring them home to their other animals. Having dedicated clothing/footwear that doesn’t leave your farm is also important for your animals staying home.

Isolate new or returning animals. This is a key step to mitigate the immediate spread of disease and gives producers time to observe animals. Make sure the isolation area is separate from high-traffic areas and has its own feed and water sources. Another option is attending a terminal show, where the livestock will not return to the home herd.

Set a quarantine protocol. Keep new or returning animals separate from the herd for at least two weeks (four weeks is even better), and watch for any signs of illness. This helps prevent the spread of disease to animals that are currently healthy animals. Work with your quarantined after working with the home herd.

Sanitize. Keep housing, feeding and watering areas clean. Regularly disinfect these spaces and remove manure frequently to reduce cross contamination. Avoid bringing home feed, shavings or manure from the event. Wash the trailer to clean off manure, and always wash your hands after interacting with animals.

Clean your equipment. This is especially important for those attending fairs this summer or frequently moving animals. Always clean your equipment before you leave the farm and as soon as you return. If you’re bringing new equipment, such as a stock trailer, to the farm, stop at a truck wash on the way home to clean and disinfect it. Don’t forget to scrub buckets, fans, panels, shovels and any other objects that have traveled with your animal or may have encountered other animals or animal products.

Limit farm access. Create designated areas for visitors. If you frequently have people who visit your farm, create zones for them — preferably away from animal areas. Require visitors to wear disposable footwear covers (like plastic boots) to limit disease spread. Designate parking and foot traffic areas to keep a barrier from your herd. Consider posting “Personnel Only” signs and establish protocols for high-risk areas, such as feed storage and highly trafficked zones.

Develop a written biosecurity plan unique to your farm. First, figure out what risks you already face with visitors, moving equipment on and off the farm and other animals that could be potential disease vectors. Plan how to mitigate animal contact and minimize risks.

Your next read: Remember Biosecurity Practices As You Exhibit Animals at Shows and Fairs

Don’t Let Activists Spoil the Fun this Fair Season

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:25:46 GMT

As we move into fair season this year, there are so many reasons to be excited! It’s a time to get out and visit with friends and neighbors, eat delicious snacks, and celebrate the hard work that youth put into raising livestock for shows. As a member of the agricultural community, this is also an invaluable time to reach outside the bubble and engage with the public about agriculture and where our food comes from. However, there are often detractors attempting to sway public opinion and, in some cases, even protest these events.

In recent years, animal rights groups have been known to protest with a variety of tactics, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) bringing their “Hell on Wheels” vehicle to the fairgrounds. This initiative from PETA is a large truck that is meant to look like it is transporting pigs – it also claims to be loud, playing “the screams of panicked animals.” Last year, this truck made an appearance at several Midwest state fairs and is currently circling the U.S. with recent stops in Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois.

Other tactics seen at fairs and expos last year include animal rights groups handing out stickers and other pamphlets. It was reported that a group of animal rights supporters previously handed out what seemed like coupons to fair attendees. These coupons claimed to be for free fair food, like turkey legs and pulled pork sandwiches, but when you scanned the QR code, it would take you to a website in support of their vegan cause.

Fairs have also been the target of animal rights groups protesting birthing centers, specifically those highlighting pork production. While this is a great experience for fair attendees to potentially see piglets born up close (and the care that goes into this practice), animal rights groups have used this as an opportunity to protest sow housing and farrowing stalls.

Unfortunately, animal rights activist organizations see fairs as a major opportunity to spread misinformation about our industry and to diminish the great work done in the agricultural community. The good news? There are some steps fair organizers and exhibitors can take to keep security top of mind and keep the fun times rolling:

• All events should have a crisis plan outlining who should do what in various scenarios – protests, disruptions, etc. Crisis plans can also address natural disasters, accidents and other issues that may arise during the event. During this planning process, local law enforcement should be consulted about how to handle activist activity at fairs.

• Keep an eye out for suspicious activity: people carrying signs or other protest materials, someone taking a strange amount of photos/videos or recording with their phone (livestreaming is a common practice), individuals asking very direct questions, etc. Report any concerns immediately to fair management.

• Avoid confrontation. Activists want attention – please avoid giving it to them. Keep your cool and let law enforcement or event management handle any issues.

I hope that this is truly a great fair season for everyone and that you don’t let the actions of animal rights groups stand in the way of this great opportunity to interact with the public and share what truly supports pig farming in the U.S. – great farm families, starting with youth!

Abby Kornegay is the manager of issues and engagement for the Animal Agriculture Alliance.

Dan Hoge Opens Up About 55-Year Career Training Future Stock Show Judges

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 20:23:52 GMT

What will the champions in the show ring look like in five years? That’s a question Dan Hoge, one of the winningest livestock judging coaches in history, thinks about constantly. Trends come and trends go. It’s not easy to stay relevant while being nimble enough to see what’s coming and evolve to get there.

But Hoge’s ability to do just that as a coach, judge and breeder for decades is what sets him apart from others, says Blake Bloomberg, professor and head livestock judging team coach at Black Hawk College East Campus.

“Dan has been at the top of his profession for over 50 years, and is still sought after for his input,” Bloomberg adds. “His impact on his students and his influence beyond the classroom is undeniable.”

Hoge says his interest and passion in the livestock industry keeps him constantly learning and searching for what’s next. He’s an avid scholar – always reading about livestock, studying photos of champions and talking about trends in the industry with people he admires.

“The miles never made any difference to me,” Hoge says. “If there was a symposium going on or if Dr. Harlan Ritchie was speaking about the cattle industry, I found a way to be there. I pay attention to what legendary breeders like Chuck Olson and Earl Cain are doing in the swine industry. Of course, there are always new breeders coming along who are going to dictate, to a necessary extent, where the industry will go next.”

At the end of the day, good livestock will always be in vogue, he says. There will be changes in priorities. Trends will shift. But the best stockmen are open-minded and always looking to see what is coming in the future. He believes the ability to evaluate livestock and read differences in phenotype is essential to it all.

What Coaching Is and What It’s Not
That’s why coaching young adults in livestock judging has been Hoge’s passion .What’s the secret to his coaching success? He says there’s no curriculum to teach you how to be a livestock judging coach, it’s a lot of learning as you go and caring about who you coach.

“Coaching is 80% what’s in your heart and 20% what’s in your mind,” Hoge says. “It’s really believing in the young people who are involved in your program. It’s reaching out and knowing their goals, interests and expectations.”

Dan Hoge’s ability to connect with every audience is one of greatest strengths.

(Jennifer Shike)

Livestock judging is a very inexact art, he points out. It is not a science, it’s a skill developed over time that is subject to the opinion of someone else.

“It’s important the student feels good about themselves at every step of their development,” he says. “It’s about inching along and making progress.”

When it comes to coaching kids to excel in livestock judging competitions, Hoge believes in helping young people finish strong.

“It’s not a question of where you start, it’s a question of where you finish,” Hoge says. “That has always been the mindset I have instilled in our student judges over the years. It’s one of the real values you can take with you in life.”

When You Step Out into the Ring
There’s no shortage of ways to use the skills developed judging livestock and describing them, Hoge adds. For many young people he mentors, their end goal is to judge a livestock show.

Dan Hoge at the Oklahoma Youth Expo

(Oklahoma Youth Expo)

“I remind young judges that every show is important, regardless of how small it may be,” Hoge says. “If there are two head of livestock at an event, that’s a livestock show. Go give it your best.”

As livestock judging has grown in popularity and more contests have popped up across the country, the level of talent has grown, too.

“I often tell our younger judging generation that, believe me, no one is interested in how smart you are and how poor their livestock are,” Hoge says. “They’re interested in your positivity, how you work with the youth, and how you make sure every youth involved in that show felt they had a fair look and an opportunity to feel good about their project and themselves. I don’t know if we have enough of that today.”

He reminds young judges to stop and take a breath before they step out of their vehicle when they arrive at a show.

“Ask yourself, ‘Why am I here?’” Hoge says. “The smartest thing you can do as a show judge at a county fair, and I’ve judged many, is study the atmosphere as you walk to the show ring. When you walk into that ring and meet the superintendents for the first time, that awareness of the atmosphere will provide a pretty good handle on what the show is going to be like.”

The most important thing a show judge brings to any event is their opinion and comfort in knowing what they are looking for in a champion. Although judges can only use what’s brought to them to evaluate, knowing where you want to finish is necessary, Hoge adds.

The little things matter, he says, from how you speak to people working in the ring to how you connect with the crowd. Judges have the opportunity to serve as another bridge between the showmen and their projects and the spectators.

“You can’t expect the urban sector to understand the care and management people put into their livestock or how great of a life their show livestock have,” Hoge says. “When you judge or show livestock, make a commitment to do things right and always be a voice of positivity in the industry. Be proud of what we do.”

Go watch The PORK Podcast Episode 17 with Dan Hoge to learn more about his perspective on the misconceptions people have about the stock show industry today, what he’s most proud of in his life, teaching students for 55 years and counting, and how he anticipates the livestock industry changing in the future.

Your Next Read: Thank You Mr. Hoge

10 Ways FFA Made Us Better

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 01:22:00 GMT

High school registration is a nightmare if you have a teenager who wants to do everything. One of our challenges when signing up our oldest for classes was trying to fit in an agriculture class so she could be a part of FFA. She made some adjustments to her schedule, put in extra effort to make it work and realized she would have to stop some things. But she would tell you it was worth the extra effort.

I suspect if other young people knew what FFA really is and what it isn’t – they’d go to extra lengths, too.

You can’t fit FFA in a box.

It’s not just farming or welding or raising livestock or public speaking or growing vegetables. It’s a nearly limitless opportunity for young people to figure out who they are and what they want to do in life. It’s cutting-edge, innovative, empowering and most importantly, fun.

In a world where more and more young people are glued to electronic devices and missing out on community, FFA offers connection, hands-on learning and adult mentors to invest in their lives.

Need more convincing? Here are 10 lessons Farm Journal employees learned through FFA that they use every day.

10. Everything always works out how it’s supposed to.

9. There’s value in a good handshake and eye contact.

8. Be confident in your own abilities, and also those around you, to achieve your goals.

7. Find someone to look up to and listen to what they have to say.

6. Read the instructions and don’t forget to sign your name.

5. It’s ok to shake in your boots a bit.

4. Influence isn’t about position, it’s about heart.

3. Keep trying new things until you find your “sweet spot.”

2. Failure stings, but it makes us better in the end.

1. To be the best, it takes top-tier effort. A little bit of preparation will yield good results, but a lot of preparation and study will always yield better results.

Editor’s Note: The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

Read More of our Favorite FFA Stories:

4 Ways FFA Shaped My Life for the Better

Texas Tornado Destroys Ag Shop, But Doesn’t Stop FFA Members From Helping Community

FFA Has-Been? No, Your Role Just Changes

Teenager Who Survives Brain Cancer Raises Over $30,000 for St. Jude Showing Pigs

Ag Teachers: When Someone Believes in You

Growing Deep Roots

Lucky Penny Sells for $17,000 in OYE Night of Stars Gilt Sale

National FFA Convention: Farm Journal’s Inside Perspective

New Bill Excuses Illinois Youth from School Absence to Attend 4-H and FFA Events

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 19:03:09 GMT

Just in time for school to start, in the midst of the Illinois State Fair, students across the state will no longer be penalized for participating in a 4-H or FFA event. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 3814 into law at the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 14, allowing students attending work-based learning events like 4-H and FFA programs to count their participation towards school attendance.

“ House Bill 3814 will allow students attending agricultural learning events to count that towards their school attendance. These learning opportunities cultivate professional development and responsibility in our youth, and their hands-on experiences ought to count towards their education. This new law is a major win not just for our students—but for the future of our agriculture industry,” Gov. Pritzker says.

FFA and 4-H programs encourage both urban and rural Illinois students to participate in hands-on projects across agricultural, STEM and business development sectors. Students who participate in work-based programs have been shown to make healthier and safer choices and give back to their communities long-term, fostering a culture of collaboration and hard work at a young age.

“Agriculture is our number one industry, and it’s the pride of Illinois. But in order to ensure its prosperous future, we must invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders,” Gov. Pritzker adds.

This bill amends the Illinois School Code to allow students who miss traditional classroom days for events in work-based learning programs to have those events counted towards overall school attendance. The student’s parent or legal guardian are to be responsible for obtaining assignments missed while the student was participating in an eligible program.

Livestock Industry Responds

The barns at the Illinois State Fair were buzzing with the good news on Tuesday.

“Participation in livestock projects through 4-H and FFA, takes lessons learned in the school classroom and applies them into real life. Livestock kids learn at a very young age how to manage their time; apply math, reading and science skills to feed and care for their projects; as well as how to compete no matter the outcome,” says Sarah Reedy, livestock breeder, show mom and field sales representative for DEKALB/Asgrow Seed.

This piece of legislation is exciting because it impacts so many young people, Reedy adds.

For Maci Brooks, a 13-year-old cattle showman from Abingdon-Avon Middle School in Avon, Ill., this new legislation provides support and validation for the 4-H and FFA events she attends.

“We just started a new ag program in our middle school,” Brooks says. “I’m excited this will mean we can be excused to attend livestock judging contests and other educational events.”

For show families across the country, the opportunities gained through 4-H and FFA and showing livestock in particular, have been life-changing experiences.

“In the past, the unexcused absence limited our children’s participation at national livestock shows,” says Dale Hummel, livestock breeder, show dad and co-host of Beyond the Ring, a podcast centering around the youth livestock show industry. “The experience gained is invaluable on many levels. This new legislation was desperately needed and greatly appreciated.”

Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) agrees.

“As a strong supporter of ag education, I advocated for FFA and 4-H students whose attendance standing has been jeopardized for missing class to participate in competitions,” Turner says. “Learning through hands-on experiences, especially in the agriculture industry, is a great way for students to expand their wealth of knowledge.”

Read More:

How Illinois Legislators are Removing Obstacles for 4-H and FFA Youth

How Texas FFA and Production Agriculture is Helping to Shape our Future

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 13:55:51 GMT

While the letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America, FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers. FFA also welcomes members who aspire in numerous other careers, such as teachers, doctors and scientists.

According to Kelsea Jones, an agriculture science teacher and FFA Advisor at Frenship ISD in northwest Texas, the wonderful thing about Texas FFA is there is something for everybody.

“No matter if you live in downtown Houston or in Wolfforth Texas, FFA has a program for you to learn, grow, and prepare for a future in agriculture,” she says.

Solving Real World Problems

The scope of agriculture is ever-changing, and Texas FFA and agricultural science classes have adapted to meet the demands of an evolving industry.

“Today’s agricultural education programs prepare students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through the implication of the agricultural education three-ring model of instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) and FFA involvement,” Jones says. “Through our agricultural science programs, teachers are providing instruction in the niche areas of Agribusiness, Animal Science, Applied Agricultural Engineering, Environmental and Natural Resources, Food Science and Technology, Plant Science and many more. Within these programs, teachers use hands-on activities to bring the world of agriculture to life and seek to assist students in identifying solutions to real-world problems.”

Classroom instruction is coupled with students identifying, planning and conducting an SAE.

“These experiences look different for all and may include owning and operating an agricultural business, working for an agricultural enterprise, raising livestock, cultivating crops, or conducting an agricultural research experiment,” she says.

According to Jones, SAEs help students connect the classroom to the real world. Programs offered like ‘Dairy Honors’ allows students to explore career opportunities and give them direct insight into a specific industry.

“’Dairy Honors’ is designed to help students explore various aspects of the dairy industry while giving them hands-on experience and internship opportunities,” Jones says.

Leadership and career development events allow students to learn how to conduct a meeting and present a well-developed speech to learn how to properly evaluate livestock.

“FFA guides students to become the next generation of leaders and agriculturalists that will feed and clothe the world,” Jones adds.

Valuable Life Lessons

Living by the FFA motto, ‘Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live and living to serve,’ FFA members develop values of serving others, being humble and learning good sportsmanship skills.

“Members also learn the value of soft skills such as communication, financial management, confidence, time management, conflict resolution and networking skills,” Jones says.

Something for Everyone

Jones shares that what originally started as a program designed for farmers has adapted to encompass all areas of agriculture. Being the largest state in the U.S., Texas FFA membership differs throughout the Lone Star State.

“Some of the largest programs are located in urban areas. The success of these programs is due to the diversity of FFA which seeks to involve all in instruction,” she says.

Regardless of where the FFA chapter is located, Jones says that Texas FFA strives to stay abreast and continue to offer programs to prepare students for the world of agriculture.

“From business and marketing to research and development, there are many facets of agriculture for one to be a part of,” she says.

Jones, who grew up in a very urban area, says her ag teacher, Mr. Bill Binder, installed the courage and determination to learn, advocate and educate individuals about agriculture where there was a disconnect between farm and form.

“Especially in an urban area,” she says. “He inspired me to make a difference in others’ lives as he did mine. Then through my experiences in college at Texas Tech University and connecting with agriculturists, I found my way to agricultural education during my master’s and found a deeper love for agriculture and making connections with people than I already had through student teaching and my career was history from there.”

Coming full circle, Jones says the highlight of her job often comes after the students have been out of school and return to tell her about what they now are accomplishing with their lives.

“It is humbling to hear how the FFA helped shape them into the person they are today and how it has helped them succeed in their current career,” she says.

Jones says FFA is truly making a positive difference in the lives of her students, in her community and state.

“And in our great nation,” she says. “It is helping to close the gap of agricultural knowledge that students are lacking.”