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Meet the Youth Advisory Board
by Brian Arnold
Kim Brock, Youth Advisory Board Chairman
Swine Herd Manager at Oklahoma State University
Describe your involvement with youth in the swine industry:
“With my job requirements at Oklahoma State University, I get the privilege of interacting with students who have a passion for purebred hogs on an everyday basis. I work largely in part with the judging teams here at the university and also serve as a promoter of purebred hogs and Oklahoma State through my involvement in judging youth livestock shows.”
Why did you accept this position on the Youth Advisory Board?
“Being involved with the foundation of the NJSA, and with purebred hogs taking hold of the show pig industry, I felt I could be a positive aspect to the committee and be beneficial to the organization while helping the kids. Without a doubt, the future of the NSR lies in the hands of NJSA members and there is no better way for me to help direct the organization in the right direction.”
What have you enjoyed most about working on this board?
“Being on the committee has been a tremendous experience for me. I really enjoy working with Jennifer, as well as the other members of the committee. Jennifer is a tremendously optimistic person who is very well organized. Also, it is great working with the kids, and I really enjoy being a part of a group of people who are willing to go the extra mile to promote youth involvement in the organization.”
What do you believe youth can gain from involvement in the NJSA?
“There are several things youth can gain from this organization. Most importantly, through involvement in the NJSA, I feel kids can gain leadership abilities that can help them in all stages of life. I also believe all kids can develop people skills and leadership skills through challenges. I hope youth can also develop an ethical approach to competition. Finally, I really believe youth can develop an appreciation for what purebred hogs are and what they can offer.”
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
“I feel very privileged to have been a part of the NJSA from the very start. From the very beginning, through the long range strategic planning stages, we challenged ourselves to build up a strong organization, that in our mind, could compare to any other youth organization today. We asked ourselves, what could we do to build up a strong youth program? Today, I feel we have reached our goal of creating a youth organization that is second to none.”
Grant Grebner
Advertising Edge owner and manager of family’s 100-sow commercial farrow -to-finish operation
Why did you accept this position on the NSR Youth Advisory Board?
“I am honored to be a part of the board. Primarily, I see the great worth in this program and all that it has to offer for the youth today. Being a part of this group, I wanted to see this program take shape and develop into what it has today. It has been very exciting to be involved from the ground up.”
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on this board?
“Certainly, one challenge that has stood in our way as a committee has been the task of teaching youth that what they do today shapes the industry tomorrow. It has been our goal to help make participants in the organization realize that they are the leaders of tomorrow and that their decisions impact the future.”
What goals would you liked to see accomplished during your term on this board?
“Today it is great to see many of our goals have already been realized. There has been tremendous growth in all aspects of competition in the organization and that was certainly a goal of ours from the beginning. Personally, my goal is to see the continued spread of knowledge about the organization and help members to realize the life skills, communications skills, and positive ethical attitudes that can be gained through involvement.”
If you could tell the members of the NJSA one thing, what would that be?
“Today, you have tremendous opportunities in the NJSA. I hope you appreciate what you have and take advantage of everything this organization can offer you. I also hope you make sound decisions when working with your livestock and keep everything in perspective.”
If you could tell the parents of NJSA members one thing, what would that be?
“Encourage your kids to become involved in competition and activities that are offered, but do not put too much pressure on your kids to win at all costs. It is important to remember what this program was designed for. Please use the NJSA organization for its intended purpose of developing leadership and communications skills, while offering a positive environment for youth to develop and gain friendships from.”
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
“All facets of our industry, including the show pig industry as well as the commercial industry, can benefit from involvement in this program. Without a doubt, the youth of today are the future of the industry tomorrow and we need to make this organization as positive as we can. I am certain that the future of the NJSA is headed in the right direction because of the tremendous youth who are a great part of it today.”
Steve Nichols
County 4-H Agent in Carroll County, IN
Describe your involvement with youth in our industry.
“Over the past 31 years, I have been active in judging hog shows. Every year, I get the opportunity to interact with youth while judging 20 to 30 shows. Our family also has been involved in raising 4-H show pig projects for many years and selling pigs to other members. In all of my interaction with youth in our industry, I try to make everything a good experience for the kids.”
What have you enjoyed most about serving on this board?
“It has been truly enjoyable to serve on this board with the other members. The camaraderie between the members on the board is really strong and we appreciate each other’s opinions. During my term on the board, I have realized that we all have the same focus: To benefit the youth of the organization. Through working with Jennifer Shike, it has been fun to see the organization progress.”
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on this board?
“One of the biggest challenges that I have noticed has been trying to balance the show pig and commercial industry. Both sides of the industry have unlimited value, however both are very different from each other. We have tried to stress the importance of both industries and have also tried to develop a happy medium between the two.”
What do you believe youth can gain from involvement in the NJSA?
“Having kids myself that are involved in the NJSA, I have realized the amount of friendships that can be developed from other kids across the country who share the same interests and values. Competition is certainly very important, however you can get that in any sport. I believe there is so much more that can be gained from being involved in the organization today.”
If you could tell the members of the NJSA one thing, what would that be?
“Seize every opportunity possible because they don’t come along everyday. Make the most of every possible opportunity that you have in order to become as prepared as possible for tomorrow.”
If you could tell the parents of the NJSA members one thing, what would that be?
“Please realize that this organization was designed for the kids. The only way for kids to develop and learn is from experience of their own.”
Jon Althaus
Livestock Judging coach and Animal Science instructor at Lake Land College.
Describe your involvement with youth in our industry?
“My involvement started when I first got the opportunity to work with the Yorkshire association as a field man. I always enjoyed working with kids and young breeders. Working at a community college, I have the opportunity to work with kids who are very enthusiastic about the livestock industry.”
What have you enjoyed most about serving on this board?
“Having the opportunity to work with such professional people who all have a similar direction and idea of making things better for the kids has been a great part of being on the board. There is no question in my mind that the members of this committee have the kids as the number one priority of the organization.”
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on this board?
“There have been many ethical questions that have created challenges for us as a committee over our tenure on the board. It is very difficult to legislate this towards people and we have done our best to present guidelines that we are comfortable with. Also, it has been a challenge for us to try to keep the playing field level for all youth to participate and get the same fair chance that everyone deserves and should get.”
What do you believe youth can gain from involvement in the NJSA?
“There are an abundance of positive attributes that the NJSA can offer youth today. I feel one of the most important things this organization does is allow young people the opportunity to be in contact with great breeders and high officials who have positive ideas and morals. When I was young, there were a few key breeders that I looked up to, and the NJSA has put the kids on the same level as breeders. Today the NJSA allows kids to make a positive impact in our industry through being involved with breeders of the past.”
What goals would you like to see accomplished during your term on this board?
“I would definitely like to see the organization arrive at methods to correct breed purity. This is something I feel very passionate about and look forward to seeing corrected. Not only would this benefit the members of the NJSA, but also the purebred breeders of our industry who recognize the importance of what purebreds can offer.”
If you could tell members of the NJSA one thing, what would it be?
“What you are doing now is extremely important and vital to the long term success and survival to the purebred industry of a whole. While competition and winning is fun and important, you must also realize that you must choose a path of honesty and integrity, while possessing the desire to make purebred hogs better for the future.”
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
“The NJSA is a fantastic organization. The leadership and direction this organization has received from Darrell Anderson and Jennifer Shike is outstanding. I really believe the NJSA is the best thing going for the NSR. I would encourage each young person that is a member of the organization to make the most of it.”
Jim McCoy
Owner of Real McCoy Genetics
Why did you decide to become a member of the Youth Advisory Board?
“When I was approached and asked to be on the committee, I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to give back to an organization that I have a tremendous amount of appreciation for. Growing up through the FFA and 4-H organizations, I realize the importance of being involved in livestock organizations. It means a lot to me to be a part of the NJSA through some of the very first planning stages.”
What have you enjoyed most about serving on the board?
“It has been really neat and enjoyable to have interaction with the group that we have. There has been a lot of really good discussion between the members of the board along with a lot of give and take to come up with the best possible compromise for the organization. We all have the kids as the number one priority for the organization and have always wanted to do what is best for the youth.”
What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced on the committee?
“Being on the committee, there are so many great ideas that could be implemented into the Summer Spectacular. It has always been a challenge to try to fit all the things into the given time period allowed. Also, there have always been ethical issues that have surfaced and it has been a challenge for us to develop ways of ensuring breed purity.”
What would you like to see accomplished during your term on the committee?
“During my tenure on the board, I would definitely like to see everything move in a positive direction. I would like to see more growth in the youth organization and also see new kids get involved in competition. I hope that our scholarship programs will continue to develop and stress the importance of agriculture education. Finally, I hope the production end of our industry can become more prevalent in the show industry.”
What is the best thing that the NJSA can offer youth?
“I believe the neatest thing the NJSA can offer is the ability to create a place to come together and meet new friends and build relationships. The NJSA definitely helps build character through competition and exhibition, but there is so much more that can be gained through this organization. This organization allows members to build lasting friendships and exchange ideas with others.”
If you could tell NJSA members one thing, what would it be?
“Always have dreams and goals to shoot for. Put your goals high enough that you have to reach for them, but not too high that they can’t be captured. If you’re not struggling with an effort to try to get better, then you are not trying hard enough. Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard for it. Be true to yourself and do what you know is right. Don’t be content with average; always try to become your best.”
