I have been around the swine industry for as long as I can remember always being in the barn helping my grandpa.

I helped farrow pigs in the winter sitting behind the farrowing crate and sharing stories with my grandpa.

I soon started showing pigs at open shows that my grandpa would take me to. After a few years of showing pigs at a few local open shows my older sister started showing pigs in 4-h and soon after I followed in her footsteps.

When I was ten I owned my first gilt and had my first litter of pigs.

Shortly after that we decided to sell that sow and just buy pigs in the spring to show. And my grandpa still raised some pigs to show.

After a few more years my grandpa decided to get out of raising pigs. During this time me and my family just bought pigs in the spring and sold them in the fall at the 4-H auction.

Then my 9 th year in 4-h my grandpa and I decided to start raising pigs again. During the last few years we have farrowed 5 litters of pigs I have taken to role of herd manager being put in charge of matching up the gilts to boars that would improve them.

We have raised a few of the hogs that my family has shown along with purchasing females and boars to breed for the coming year.

Me and my grandpa still run a small show pig operation based at his house.

We have expanded the herd to 8 females this fall and are looking forward to our largest and highest quality set of baby pigs to come this spring.