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Brad Coffman - Facing Challenges Helps To Achieve Success
by Elaine Hughes
Spend just a few minutes with Brad Coffman and you can’t help but get excited about the future of the swine industry.
“He eats, breathes and lives pigs,” says Cindy , his mother. “If Brad is around, you can bet that the conversation is going to be centered around the swine industry.”
Coffman, 22, of Waynestown , Ohio, has been involved in purebred swine production since the age of 16, when he purchased his first show pigs. His herd now consists of 12 sows – purebred Duroc , Yorkshires and Hampshires . His mother, Cindy , gives credit to the 4-H program for helping Brad develop into a responsible young man.
“4-H gave Brad structure in his life and taught him discipline,” Cindy says. “He has had to face many challenges which have only made him a stronger person. His strong morals and his faith in God have helped him to achieve success in life.”
Coffman’s younger sibling, Bethanie, is quick to praise her brother for his help in her 4-H career. “Brad has always encouraged me to do my best,” she says. “He loved getting me out in our practice showring and helped me polish up on my showmanship skills, working for hours with me each night. Brad has always strived to be a good showman and has taught me many different techniques that have helped me be a better showman.”
Coffman, who received his Animal Science degree from Oklahoma State University in December 2002, gives credit to his mentors for helping him get his start in the swine industry. Family friend Tim Lamb helped Coffman pick out his first pigs and continues to serve as his personal advisor. While attending school in Oklahoma, Rick Shepherd and his family invited Brad to to stay with them on weekends. His relationship with the Shepherd family has continued since Coffman’s graduation.
“Rick has allowed me to consign pigs to his sale so I have a place to market my seedstock ,” Coffman says.
Coffman also credits his father for being his financial backer and adds, “Dad always has a lot of good advice to give about the quality and selection of pigs.”
Coffman’s interest in the purebred swine industry, along with encouragement from past NJSA board member Katrina Waters , led him to run for the NJSA Board of Directors. “The NJSA seemed like a neat organization that was just taking off,” Coffman says. “I was excited by the opportunity to meet other people through the NJSA.”
Coffman says that being on the NJSA board has given him the opportunity to sharpen his communication skills. He has found that his experiences at NJSA events, such as the leadership conference and the Summer Spectacular, have helped him become more comfortable talking to large groups of people.
“Being a director has helped me gain confidence and calmness,” Coffman says.
Coffman is proud of the role he has played in the NJSA. “I was able to voice my opinion about the direction I think the NJSA should be taking,” he says. “It has been great to see the NJSA membership increase in numbers, which has enabled the organization to expand to a larger number of contests and show.”
Darrell Anderson, CEO of the National Swine Registry, was able to witness firsthand Coffman’s enthusiasm for the purebred industry, as Coffman served as an intern for the National Junior Swine Association in the summer of 2002.
“Brad is one of the most passionate and dedicated young people that I’ve had the privilege to observe in the purebred swine industry,” Anderson says. “He loves the industry and really cares about the people in it. His work ethic is also among the best in the business.”
Coffman encourages young members to get involved in their association. “Don’t be afraid to run for the board, even if you are not too familiar with the swine industry and haven’t competed.” He continues, “Being a board member is a great way to get involved and you’ll find that you have good qualities to share and offer others.”
As Coffman’s time on the NJSA board concludes, he takes along memories of the first leadership conference, the Barnyard Olympics at the Southwest Regional in 2002 and being a part of selling the foundation female. “Because of my involvement in the NJSA, I got a close -up view of all the activities. These activities give everyone a chance to get to know each other better,” he says.
Presently, Coffman is a distributor for StarMaster Feeds, but plans to go back to college in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in animal nutrition. He also plans to continue to play an active role in the purebred swine industry.
“I have enjoyed being able to promote the swine industry during my time on the NJSA board and meet people from all over the country. I hope I have been able to be a role model for other young members along the way.”
