“Hard working,” would best describe 17-year-old John Bailey of Turlock, Calif. John is the son of John and June Bailey and has three sisters, Rachelle, Robin and Rebecca. Because of John’s hard work, he recently was named the winner of the 2004 California State FFA Swine Proficiency award in the area of placement, which is evaluated on work experience. He recently was named a National Finalist and will go on to compete at the National FFA Convention.
John spends most of his time working on the family farm which is a farrow-to-finish operation. John also runs a small sow herd of his own which consists of 12 Hampshire,
Besides work, John is an active member of the Turlock FFA where he is the chapter president and is on the livestock judging team.
Some of John’s accomplishments include breeding and exhibiting the 2003 Reserve Champion Hampshire Market Hog at the Cow Palace Junior Grand National Livestock Show. John also exhibited the Champion Hampshire Market Hog at the 2003 California State Fair and was the 2003 Stanislaus County Fair Outstanding FFA Swine Exhibitor.
In the future, John plans on attending
John’s favorite NJSA event is the Western Regional, “I like the skillathon because it tests my knowledge of the swine industry,” John said. John plans on going to the National Junior Summer Spectacular and leadership conference next year.
“I joined the NJSA because I enjoy showing at the Western Regional and I enjoy meeting new people that are interested in the swine industry,” said, John.
John is certainly a spotlight in the NJSA. Good luck!
Article contributed by Rachelle Bailey, 2004 NJSA Intern.
