Meet your UJSSA JUNIOR BOARD NELLIE HANKINSON, LEVERETT, MASSACHUSETS Junior at Delaware Valley University: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT JOINING THE UJSSA AND IN RAISING SUFFOLKS?
Take the risk and join. These will be some of the best people you meet in life, including many like-minded people driven to progressively move our breed forward. Additionally, there are so many mentors in our association that make it a priority to make sure young Suffolk enthusiasts have the best experience possible. AJ HARRIS, JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS High School Junior HOW AND WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED AS A MEMBER OF THE UJSSA? I got truly involved with the UJSSA after seeing the board in action at All-American when it was in Madison, Wisconsin, and decided after that I wanted to become a board member. WHICH UJSSA ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU ENJOYED PARTICIPATING IN THE MOST AND WHY? The Event will always be my favorite due to it being only Suffolk kids, and an entire weekend dedicated to everyone associated in the Suffolk industry. It truly is an event for all ages, and not just a junior breeding sheep show. WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF UJSSA? The best part of being a UJSSA member is all the connections you make with other people in our industry. Since becoming a more active member, I have grown so many more relationships and connections from people all over the United States. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT JOINING THE UJSSA AND IN RAISING SUFFOLKS? You get out of it what you put into it. If you are an active member and you work with your lambs and you reach out and talk to people, you will climb the ranks socially and in the show ring due to all the tips and tricks you will learn from industry friends. I owe a lot of where I am now to the Slack family due to them showing us the ropes in the world of raising your flock and lambing out ewes. Never be afraid to ask questions to anyone. There’s countless people out there that would love nothing more than to answer your questions and set you in the right direction. The Suffolk breed is a very very tight group of people and it is something I haven’t seen in any other breed, so take advantage of it!!
Animal Science: Livestock Management and Dairy Science HOW AND WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED AS A MEMBER OF THE UJSSA? I got involved in sheep 4-H in my freshman year of high school. A local Suffolk breeder offered me a chance to show Suffolks and I fell in love with the breed. WHICH UJSSA ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU ENJOYED PARTICIPATING IN THE MOST AND WHY? My favorite UJSSA activity was the social at Louisville at the NAILE because I got to meet young breeders from all across the country. WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF UJSSA? Meeting and learning from kids with all different backgrounds in Suffolk sheep. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT JOINING THE UJSSA AND IN RAISING SUFFOLKS? To just do it! Raising Suffolks has opened up so many opportunities for me, and the UJSSA organization has so many opportunities for kids to grow and learn. RAESA ZELINSKY, BROOKINGS. SOUTH DAKOTA South Dakota State University (SDSU), Animal Science HOW AND WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED AS A MEMBER OF THE UJSSA? I have been involved in UJSSA for as long as I can remember. Since the age of three, I have been showing Suffolks. Whether it was lamb lead, showmanship, or contests. I always wanted to be involved in the breed and association that has helped shape me into the person I am today. WHICH UJSSA ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU ENJOYED PARTICIPATING IN THE MOST AND WHY? The cooking contest, because I was able to participate with a team of young Suffolk exhibitors while also cooking with lamb. WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF UJSSA? Getting to connect with other members around the country that you would have not met otherwise. Being able to establish relationships with young members across the county, and ensure they are given an enjoyable and memorable experience like I did from a young age.
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