Pour yourself a cup of ambition!
A day in the life at a hog show starts like any other day. I get out of bed, stumble to the kitchen, and pour myself a cup of ambition. Just after this, it's time to eat some breakfast and head to the barn. Once arriving at the barn I grab the trailer, load the pigs, then hit the road.
The second we arrive at the show facility the work begins. I take the hogs straight to the scales to check, then to the wash rack to make sure the hogs are looking their best. After each pig is washed, dried, and brushed we feed them.
Throughout this entire process weekend after weekend, I have learned two things; one, that if I keep the pens cleaned I will have a better result in the end, and two hard work is the key to any success. Showing livestock all over the country has been the greatest blessing in my life up to this moment. I will cherish the memories that I have made for the rest of my life.
Showing any species of livestock teaches students, adults, and teachers that perseverance, hard work, and dedication will take you to new heights in anything you do. Every day there is someone who decides to spend their life serving the agricultural industry because of an experience they had in the barn or the ring.
During my time in the FFA I have had numerous opportunities to serve our members on the chapter, and area levels, at the state convention, but also outside of the FFA as a Georgia National Fair Livestock Ambassador, on my counties youth board, and as a Support Georgia Agriculture Agvocate.
At the end of the day when the show is over, and the chaos of a livestock show is gone, it is nice to drive home with my concession stand hamburger in hand while chatting with my family about the good times we had that day. In conclusion, showing livestock means more than any banner, buckle, or ribbon. In the end, it's about the memories you have with the people you meet, and more importantly your family. I hope to never take show days for granted and to inspire others in the agriculture industry to ensure the future of Georgia's agriculture.
Ian Heath
Madison County, Georgia