The NJSA would like to recognize Caleb Johnson, 14, of Ballico, California as a youth spotlight.  The son of Tom and Seanna Johnson, Caleb has one brother, Elijah, 11, and two sisters, Nadia, 11, and Nicole, 6.  He is a freshman at Denair High School where he plans to get involved in the FFA.  Outside of school, Caleb enjoys pigs, riding dirt bikes, and helping on the family almond farm.

Caleb has been showing pigs for five years, starting at the age of 9.  When asked why he shows pigs, Caleb answered, “To learn lifelong lessons, like the more work you put into something the better it will turn out.  I like the challenges of constantly improving my projects and becoming a better showman.  It is also a lot of fun and I make new friends.”  Traveling all over California and other states, meeting new people, and spending time with his family and friends are what Caleb enjoys most about showing pigs.  His favorite shows are the National Junior Summer Spectacular and Western Regional.

Some of Caleb’s most recent accomplishments include exhibiting the Supreme Grand Champion Market Hog at the 2010 Arizona National Livestock Show and Supreme Champion Gilt at the 2010 California State Fair.

Caleb’s most memorable moment in the NJSA was placing in the top ten in showmanship at the 2009 National Junior Summer Spectacular.  He would like to tell younger NJSA members “to go to lots of shows and to have fun making new friends.”

His future plans are to finish high school, attend Fresno State University, participate on a national judging team, and eventually become an almond farmer.

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