West Lafayette, Indiana >> Cody Smith, 19 years old, of Lakeport will serve as the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) Western Region Director on the NJSA Junior Board of Directors.
Smith will be one of the 12 young people chosen to serve on the board, which will travel to exhibitions, conferences and leadership events throughout the nation to promote the purebred swine industry on behalf of the NJSA. The organization is currently the largest youth livestock organization in the country with more than 12,500 members. The events and resources sponsored by the organization give youth countless opportunities to improve skills such as public speaking, which will serve them beyond their youth exhibition careers into their professional life. This aligns with NJSA’s mission to reward excellence, enhance educational opportunities, promote purebred swine and develop young leaders within the industry.
“Assuming a national leadership role of an organization of more than 12,500 youth from across the country is a big responsibility,” National Swine Registry Director of Junior Activities Kaley Bontrager says. “But, it also provides a wonderful opportunity to sharpen leadership skills, improve communication skills, and develop decision-making skills that will help you the rest of your life. Serving on the NJSA Junior Board of Directors is an awesome experience, and we have found the best young leaders possible to fill the role.”
By being named to the board, Smith achieved one of the highest honors in the NJSA and will serve as a young leader within the organization. During his term, Smith hopes to grow NJSA membership in the West Coast region and inform young people interested in the industry about the opportunities available to them through the organization.
Smith is the son of Cindy and Kevin Smith. He is currently attending Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon, where he’s a member of the Livestock judging team, majoring in animal science in applied nutrition. Smith manages and works at the swine and cattle units at Oregon State University. Smith, a 2014 graduate of Clear Lake High School also served as a Junior Director for the California Pork Producers Association. An 11 year member of Scotts Valley 4-H Club, he raised market hogs in the swine project for 9 years.
His future plans are grounded in the swine industry as he hopes to become a feed salesman.
For more information about the NJSA and the Junior Board of Directors, visit nationalswine.com/njsa.
