Hello everyone! My name is Taylor Fritsch, and I’m pleased to introduce myself as National Swine Registry’s Marketing & Communications Intern for 2012. It’s such an honor – and such a pleasure – to be serving the members of the NSR. I’m very excited to jump right into the mix for the M&C division this summer assisting with writing, design, social media, photography and so much more.
My journey in agriculture didn’t begin with swine. As a
proud Badger from the state of Wisconsin, my family is involved in the industry
that makes up almost half of our state’s agriculture – dairy. Growing up I was
active with my family’s 70-cow, 600-acre operation, feeding my fair share of
baby calves and helping out in whatever way I could. When I became old enough
to show, I was pretty excited about breaking a dairy heifer to take to the
fair. When my dad also bought me a couple feeder pigs, I wasn’t quite sure what
to think.
If you had told me back then that I would develop such a
passion for pigs, I might have told you that you were crazy. But eleven years
later, that’s exactly what has happened. By my freshman year of high school,
show pigs had won me over – so much so that we quit showing dairy altogether.
Although our focus is the dairy operation, my family is no
stranger to swine production and livestock. They operated a 90-sow commercial
herd until I was about four, at which point the operation was liquidated in
favor of the dairy and grain aspects of our farm. Showing has been our way of
staying connected with the swine industry, and over the years, those pigs have
taught my sister, Bailey, and me a lot. Showing at the Wisconsin State Fair,
our local county fair and other Wisconsin circuit shows, we’ve both been
fortunate to have moderate success in the ring. But more importantly, we’ve
learned a lot along the way – both about pigs and about life.
Without a doubt, my involvement with swine, 4-H and FFA has
helped chart my course for the future. Next fall, I will start my junior year
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying agricultural economics and life
sciences communication. I have a strong interest in consumer outreach and public
perception of agriculture, and I hope to eventually work in a role that allows
me to tell agriculture’s story and address the challenges that face our
industry.
I look forward to communicating and working with many of you
over the course of the summer, whether it be in-person, through one of our NSR
blogs or in the pages of Seedstock EDGE.
If you see me at one of our shows or sales, be sure to say hello and pose for a
photo. Have a great summer and best of luck in the show ring and on your
operations!
Congrats Taylor! This internship is an amazing opportunity! You will gain so much from it! I can say that most of my communcations/journalism experience and confidence in the field came from all of the opportunities that were provided by this internship. You will most definitely enjoy your summer. The people at the NSR are great! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Libby! I'm told I have big shoes to fill...can't wait for a great summer!
DeleteTaylor, I'm so excited you are on board at the NSR! It was an honor to get to interview you, and I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to work with you. However, you have a great team there, and I know you will have a fabulous summer. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteTamara Choat