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February/March 2008 Showpig Issue
Opening doors
by Jennifer Shike
When was the last time you thought about opening doors? For my 20-month-old, this is exciting. She likes to “help” me open doors and of course, shut them loudly. If they are automated, she pushes the buttons to open the doors (over and over again). Elevator doors are great, too. Especially when she pushes the red alarm button! Ever try navigating revolving doors with a little one walking backwards?
We aren’t the only ones thinking about opening doors right now. NJSA members are focusing on buying their next showpig, deciding which boar to use, making college decisions and figuring out what sports to play. They are constantly considering which doors to open and close.
A quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson sums it up well. He said, “Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee.”
A power-packed statement – one I take seriously in my position. It’s my responsibility to help the next generation by opening doors to help them succeed. And it’s yours, too.
As a parent, it starts with changing diapers, teaching your child to walk and yes, physically opening doors. As an FFA teacher, it means teaching youth how to make decisions, educating them about agriculture and showing them available career opportunities. As a swine breeder, it means helping a new breeder make a breeding decision or showing them how to feed their sows more efficiently.
This is a hard time for our breeders making a living in pork production. But I believe, now more than ever, it’s time to support the one thing we know will be there in the future – our youth. The same youth who are your children, your students, your customers and your friends.
New doors opening. The NJSA is striving to open doors for its members by establishing new scholarships to help them pursue careers in the swine industry and agriculture. In 2008, NJSA will offer four new scholarships because of the vision of three dedicated swine producers.
The Maschhoffs Inc. (TMI) of Carlyle, Ill., is offering two pork-production scholarships ($1,500 and $1,000) to youth between ages 18 and 21 to expose them to commercial-swine production. I was instantly impressed when I met Julie Maschhoff. She’s a progressive, energetic leader who, along with her staff, recognizes that NJSA members are the future of the industry.
The family of Jason Shipley is graciously offering a $1,000 memorial scholarship to honor a college freshman, sophomore or junior who has a strong background in athletics and the swine industry. As a coach and an industry leader, Jason believed the key to a successful future involved training youth at a young age to go after their dreams.
The family of Gregory D. Johnson will also be offering a $1,000 memorial scholarship for graduate students pursuing a master’s degree or Ph.D. in swine genetics, reproduction or nutrition. The Johnsons have a passion for keeping youth involved in the industry, and they wanted to encourage youth to pursue their “big” dreams.
As you’ll read in Kati McQueen’s article on page 18, our industry is facing a human-capital crisis. The need is great for youth to pursue degrees in all aspects of swine production.
We need your support. We need to be more visionary as we develop the foundation for the future of the industry. It is not time to abandon support of the NJSA – it is time to step up in your role as a continuing sponsor or a new sponsor.
Some of agriculture’s most extraordinary leaders are kids in the purebred swine industry. Last year, the National FFA President was one of our own – Beau Williamson of California. We need kids to dream big like Beau and go after their passions in agriculture. But they need our encouragement and help.
One way you can help is to sponsor NJSA shows and leadership conferences. We need NJSA to thrive despite economic challenges. The opportunity to sell quality purebreds and crossbreds to NJSA members from coast to coast will keep our breeders in business. Past NJSA members are making a difference because they are more educated about purebreds, more knowledgeable about pork production and more skilled as leaders.
Let’s help them open doors this year. For more information about these scholarships, visit http://www.nationalswine.com/njsa/njsaScholarships.html.
