The NJSA would like to recognize Ryan Michael, 9, of Farmersville, Ohio as a youth spotlight.  The son of Todd and Holly Michael, Ryan has one brother, Justin, 6, and one sister, Morgan, 4.  Ryan attends Germantown Elementary-Valley View Schools where he plays baseball and soccer.  Outside of school Ryan enjoys showing purebred Hampshire and Yorkshire hogs.

Ryan started showing pigs at the age of 5.  When asked why he shows pigs, Ryan Responded, “I want to be like my Dad and Granddad.”  Traveling, seeing friends, competing, and learning new things about the industry are his favorite things about showing.  His favorite shows are the National Junior Summer Spectacular, Southeast Regional and Ohio State Fair.

Some of Ryan’s accomplishments include placing 7th in Sweepstakes, 3rd in Judging, 2nd in Photography and 8th in Skillathon at the 2010 National Junior Summer Spectacular and 7th in Judging at the 2010 World Pork Expo.

Ryan’s most memorable moment in the NJSA was when he was featured on the front page of the Dayton Daily News and brought a York gilt into the TV station when he was interviewed after placing 4th in the Novice Sweepstakes at the World Pork Expo.  He would like to tell younger members that NJSA “is really fun and you’ll like it a lot!  It is a great organization to learn more about the swine industry.”

Ryan’s future plans are to go to college and someday become a pig farmer that raises show pigs.

The NJSA would like to congratulate Ryan on all of his accomplishments and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!

Submitted by Cally Hass, 2010 NJSA Intern