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STEM, swine and Stock Show: The science of pigs

Jake Jackson, 14, knows a lot about pigs. 

Jake Jackson, 14, knows a lot about pigs.

From feeding to breeding, he's spent his whole life around the farm, first with horses, now with his pigs. Jake is attending the National Western Stock Show, competing in the hog competitions, hoping to auction one of his pigs to the highest bidder.

Speaking with Jake, you can feel his passion for agriculture. He saves his winnings, sometimes as much as $3,000 per competition, and puts them in his college savings account in hopes of attending an agricultural college.

STEM education plays a big role in how Jake and other kids raise their animals for FFA projects. Kids learn to feed, care for, breed and compete with their animals. Details like walking patterns of the animals, stressing good posture, are examined during competition. Health of the animals is a top priority for the kids competing at the National Western Stock Show.

Jake says he learned his sense of responsibility from his dad, who raised him riding horses on their Colorado ranch. A member of FFA, the Future Farmers of America, Jake has learned to raise pigs to prize winning weight. He thinks that other kids might enjoy FFA activities because it, "gives you something to do, like go spend time with the pigs, you can scratch their bellies anytime and they really love it".

The National Western Stock Show wraps up this weekend. For more information on upcoming events and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.nationalwestern.com. You can learn more about Future Farmers of America here: https://www.ffa.org/home

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