#156 Swine it Podcast - Inspiring youth to be the future of the swine industry Dr. Joel DeRouchey

Arguably the best thing that the swine industry can do today to plan for the future is to get the next generation interested in agriculture. With less families having a background in agriculture today than in past generations, it is much more difficult to introduce children to the swine industry. In today’s episode with Dr. Joel DeRouchey, we talk about the importance of this subject and the opportunities we need to utilize to attract the bright minds of the future.

What you will learn:

1. Youth involvement in the swine industry

2. Involvement without an ag background

3. FFA and 4-H

4. Parents finding ag opportunities for their kids

5. Shadowing opportunities

6. International opportunities

Meet the guest: Dr. Joel DeRouchey grew up on a diversified purebred swine, cattle and sheep operation in Pukwana, South Dakota. He graduated with his bachelor's in Animal Science from South Dakota State University in 1997 and his M.S. (1999) and Ph.D. (2001) in Swine Nutrition from Kansas State University. He was hired in 2001 as the Northeast Livestock Extension Specialist for Kansas State University. In 2004, Joel moved to the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry as a Livestock Nutrition and Environmental Management Specialist and with a 40% Extension, 40% Research, and 20% Teaching appointment. Currently, he is a full professor and State Animal Science Extension Program Leader and has a 50% Extension and 50% Research appointment.