Farm Credit Services of America employees mentor Aksarben youth
Grand Island, NE (May 21, 2020) –The Aksarben Pig Challenge presented by Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) is a new opportunity at the 2020 Aksarben Stock Show.Youth will experience raising a market hog for six months, keeping records, showing, and sharing their progress with an adult mentor.
Youth between the ages of 11 to 18 and representing multiple states are part of the inaugural 2020 class. Several FCSAmerica employees have volunteered to correspond with the youth as mentors.Participating youth are expected to write monthly to their assigned mentor, sharing details about their project and what they are learning about the agricultural industry.
The youth in the program were selected through an application process and provided with a pig to feed and show throughout the spring and summer. Participants are judged throughout the course of their project, from the time they take ownership in the spring of a 50-pound pig through the Aksarben Stock Show in September, when they return with an estimated 300-pound hog.
Full media release hereParticipants will be judged and scored on:
1. Feed Records - cost and written rations
2. Sponsor Letters - five letters minimum
3. Record Book and Contents - organization, pictures, complete records
4. Showmanship
5. Interview - 5-10 minute interview during Aksarben
6. Live Placing Class
A record book will be provided at the pig pick-up date. The record book will need to be completed with additional content added, to turn in for judging at the Aksarben Stock Show.
Once the participant and pig arrive at Aksarben they will check their pig in and weigh it. It will be the participant's responsibility to enter their pig in the Pig Challenge Class, through the online entry system. The Pig Challenge class will have its own official live placing and showmanship class (separate from the Market Swine show).
The Pig Challenge class will have a program following it. This program will allow participants to meet their sponsor face to face and mingle with all the contestants. At the end of the program, the tabulations will be announced, and the top three Pig Challenge Participants will sell their pig in the Purple Ribbon Auction.
To learn more about the Pig Challenge Contest, please contact Shelby Leonhard sleonhard@showaksarben.com or 785-840-6752