The NJSA would like to recognize Tate Coulter of Albany, IN as a youth spotlight.  Tate is the son of Mike and Tonya Coulter with one older brother, Tanner.  Tate is eleven years old and is in 5th grade at Albany Elementary School. His activities include playing basketball both in and out of school, and showing pigs.

Tate has been involved with pigs his whole life.  When asked what he likes best about showing pigs he says, “meeting all the people and going to the big shows to compete in the skillathon and the showmanship classes.” He credits his getting involved to his cousins, Lynsee Shaffer and Aimee Inskeep.  Tate started with, and continues to show, at his county fair where he has won 1st year and junior showmanship, and has had numerous champion gilts.  He joined NJSA about four years ago and has thoroughly enjoyed it.  He has exhibited at World Pork Expo, Eastern Regional, Southeast Regional, and a few others.  His favorite shows though, are Expo and Southeast Regional because of “the skillathons, and the environment is more relaxed.” 

Tate can boast many accomplishments since joining NJSA including having reserve champion landrace gilt at Southeast Regional, 2nd place junior skillathon at the Southeast Regional, and other skillathon accomplishments.  With that, it’s no surprise that the skillathon is Tate’s favorite contest.  He likes to test his knowledge of hogs and continue to learn more about them. 

About NJSA, Tate wants other youth to know “it’s a really fun time, there are lots of amazing things to do and you get to meet a lot of new people and make a lot of new friends.”  Tate wants to continue going to as many NJSA shows that he can, and he eventually wants to become a farmer when he grows up.

The NJSA would like to congratulate Tate on being such a strong member of NJSA and for continuing to try and build his show career, and wishes him all the best in the future!

Submitted by Cassie Holloway, 2011 NJSA Intern