Hi all! My name is Ali Harwell and I am the NJSA Intern this summer. I am so excited to have the opportunity to be involved in another side of this awesome organization. We are already busy getting ready for WPX and NJSS and cannot wait for everyone to see what we have planned for this summer!
A little more
about me… I am a senior Spartan from Michigan State University (MSU) majoring
in environmental studies and agriscience with a specialization in secondary education.
With this degree, I will have the opportunity to teach kids about the many
aspects of agriculture. I hope to inspire future generations to be good representatives
of agriculture and share the good news our industry has to offer. Activities
that keep me busy at MSU include the livestock judging team, Sigma Alpha
Agriculture Sorority and Block & Bridle.
A native of
Coldwater, Mich., I grew up in an agricultural community – but not on an actual
farm. So, I had to make my own path showing
livestock. I developed a strong passion for pigs that started with a 4-H
project and has not subsided since. I have been showing pigs at the local,
state and national levels for eight years. During this time, I have also been
able to raise my own Yorkshire (my favorite), Chester White and crossbred showpigs.
Being part
of NJSA has given me numerous experiences that have taught me valuable life
lessons and skills, contributing to most of my successes in life. These
accomplishments include being Reserve Senior Showman at NAILE, fourth Overall
Senior Showman at NJSS and being able to sell hogs I have raised at national
events. Showing livestock allows my whole family to work hard together in
producing something we can be completely proud of at the end of the day.
Showing hogs
helped me develop feelings of determination, competitiveness and accomplishment
that cannot be replaced by anything else. Many of you know the feeling of
getting up at the crack of dawn, walking your pigs with eyes half open, and
then later in the day having to tell your friends you will meet them another
night for a movie because you have to walk pigs again when it cools down.
Although sometimes I may have asked myself – “Why?!” it was worth it in the long run. Some of the best memories
I have go back to those moments in the pens with my pigs. Those times taught me
to be patient, to be responsible and to always follow through.
I hope you
are all excited about this summer, because we sure are! I can’t wait to meet many
of you at our summer events – good luck to everyone in the show ring!
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