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Securing a better tomorrow
by Jennifer Shike
“Follow your heart, hang on and don’t give up just because everyone else does. There is nobility in being the last one standing, because the persistent few are those who stretch boundaries, set brave new standards and secure the hope for a better tomorrow.” – Michael McKee
Every day you are tempted to give up – whether it’s giving up on a tough homework problem or giving up on a sport that’s not your strong suit. Sometimes you are tempted to give up on a friend who has let you down. And then there are times when you are tempted to give up on your goals and dreams because other people say they are too hard to reach.
It is true. Giving up is easier than being the last one standing. But giving up does not result in any joy or self-satisfaction. Giving up gives you nothing in return.
I looked up “persistent” in the dictionary to get a better idea of what it means to be “the persistent few.” Webster’s says persistence is continuing to exist in spite of difficulties.
When I look at the purebred swine industry, I see an industry filled with persistence. I see people who have continued to exist despite difficult economic markets, changing consumer demands and shifts in breeding-program objectives. These are the same people who have helped stretch the boundaries of the purebred swine industry by setting new standards in order to make tomorrow better for our youth.
It is exciting to be surrounded by great role models and visionary swine breeders who did not let the temptation to “give up” overcome their dreams and goals. In the NJSA, we have a lot to live up to. Just like the breeders before us, we must continue to be brave and hold on to our dreams. It’s our job to secure a better tomorrow for our members today and for our members 50 years from now.
In 2004, we will stretch the boundaries of what the NJSA has been thus far. We will be developing exciting new events that will not only have a positive impact on our youth, but also on our purebred breeders. The NJSA will implement its first-ever purebred barrow show at the Western Regional in Bakersfield, Calif., next March. Our goal is to provide more opportunities for our members to exhibit purebred swine while increasing the demand for pedigreed barrows. We are also in the process of adding barrow shows into other NJSA events.
On June 9-11, we will work together with the American Berkshire Association and Certified Pedigreed Swine to host the first-ever World Pork Expo Junior Event in Des Moines, Iowa. This exciting eight-breed junior show will be held in conjunction with the World Pork Expo.At this event, junior members will have the opportunity to compete in a purebred gilt show, a purebred barrow show, a showmanship contest and a judging contest. Watch the Seedstock EDGE and “The Pinnacle” for more details about this exciting junior show.
No great plan is ever achieved overnight. Success is the result of careful planning and deliberate steps toward your goal.
Be assured that every idea we implement into NJSA will support our mission to provide a network uniting purebred swine enthusiasts through a youth organization that offers competitive opportunities to reward excellence, enhance educational opportunities, promote the value of pure genetic lines, and develop leadership skills at both the state and national level.
NJSA members – don’t give up on your dreams and goals. We must continue to look for ways to stretch our boundaries in order to secure a better tomorrow.
