From farrowing barn to fair ring, the FFA program shapes students for their future.

The clock may flash some random hour in the middle of the night, but for Wayne FFA members, it very well could mean chore time when baby pigs are on the way.

“The greatest challenge we face is that we’re really farming,” explains Olivia West, FFA advisor and agriculture instructor at Wayne Community Schools in Corydon. “Things break, animals get out, animals get sick and we must fix it. When pigs farrow at 2 a.m. after a wrestling meet, the kids still show up.”

That commitment to the farm operation, no matter the hour, has helped turn Wayne FFA’s program — specifically the hog venture — into one of the chapter’s defining successes. 

What began as a small expansion of hands-on opportunities more than a decade ago has grown into a full-circle breeding, farrowing, finishing and marketing operation that puts Wayne-raised pigs in county and state fair rings while also providing much-needed food for residents.

Chartered in 1930, the Wayne FFA chapter expanded as the school district added nearby towns that now covers 5 incorporated communities spanning 304 square miles. In 2012, the district purchased land to rebuild its football field, acquiring property that became a land lab that included a barn, later renovated into the FFA chapter’s pig facility in 2018.

Additional expansion included the launch of the chapter’s Little Hands in the Barn farrowing display at the fairgrounds, offering the public a glimpse at piglets being born and cared for. In May of last year, the FFA added a 60-by-100-foot multipurpose livestock facility at its land lab, a project that significantly increased opportunities for students.


Hog project

At the center of the FFA program remains the hog project.

“It’s a full-circle project that keeps us on our toes,” said West. “When students raise livestock, they’re not just doing an ag project … they’re running a small, real business and taking on adult-level responsibility in a very hands-on way at a young age since a lot of exhibitors started before they were in high school. 

“Students manage feeding schedules, monitor animal health, and respond quickly to problems, which builds strong habits of responsibility, time management, and accountability. Through hands-on animal care, they gain practical knowledge of nutrition, health, and humane handling while learning to make informed decisions in real situations.”

These experiences connect to future careers in agriculture, veterinary science and agribusiness, while also developing life skills such as work ethic, problem-solving and confidence that benefit students no matter what career path they choose, West added.

Wayne FFA maintains a boar and four Berkshire sows, which typically produce 8 to 12 piglets per litter, with two litters raised per sow each year to align with the school schedule. 

Sows are bred in late March so pigs are ready for the Wayne County Fair in July, and each September sows are artificially inseminated to produce pigs for student Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects and for eventually showing at the county and state fair.

The hog operation extends beyond exhibition. Through a National FFA Living to Serve grant, the chapter donates two hogs annually to the local food pantry. Members sell feeder pigs and finished hogs, and some are processed for retail meat sales, which consistently sell out each year.

“None of this would have been possible without the overwhelming support of our community,” West said.

That community support has been critical in addressing facility challenges. The original hog barn had only two pens for member projects, and with the addition of the boar, space was reduced even further.

“This sparked the discussion and building of the new barn,” said West. “We wanted to expand to new species and allow our members to house them. A lot of the kids don’t have the facilities at home to keep show animals.”

With strong backing from the Wayne FFA alumni and local businesses, the chapter raised more than $98,000 from supporters including GRM Networks, MFA Charitable Foundation, the Wayne Community Foundation and Farm Bureau, among others, to construct a new facility that will serve as a hub for Supervised Agricultural Experiences, classroom instruction and real-world livestock management.

“We’re excited to get the barn up and running this summer and have new members showing who wouldn’t otherwise have that opportunity,” West said.


PICTURED ABOVE:  West; Wayne FFA provides food for local residents through its hog project. PHOTO / CONRAD SCHMIDT


Student experiences

For students, the lessons learned inside the barns reach far beyond animal care.

Austin Henderson said his passion for agriculture inspired him to join FFA. “I have kept involved since I know all the lessons I learn now will help me later on in life to be a better person and leader,” he said. “I have grown up on a farm … my main passion is cattle and I hope to be able to run my own herd of cattle in the future.”

Dalton Lukavsky said mentorship and competition have kept him motivated. “My favorite part is getting younger kids involved in agriculture,” he said. 

“Personally I have gotten involved with our livestock judging team and showing younger members what it takes to be committed. I enjoy traveling to different contests, seeing friends from other schools and states, and always working to get better.”

The hog barn experience started in junior high for Tully Wood.

“My experience with the hog project … has taught me a lot about the hog industry,” he explained. “I first started out at the hog barn as a 7th grader with a show pig project … I was taught how to raise and show pigs … I showed the pigs at the county fair and sold them there.”

Natalia Brown said FFA has directly shaped her career goals.

“From learning how to take care of livestock and pull piglets to gaining better public speaking skills … these skills will all benefit me in my later career goals of becoming an animal embryologist,” she said. “I have gained hands-on experiences.”


Student accolades

Currently, 15 Wayne FFA members will be showing livestock at the county fair this year, with four planning to exhibit at the Iowa State Fair. 

The chapter recently celebrated a record 15 students earning their State FFA Degree, a prestigious honor for students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to agricultural education, leadership and community service.

While there are many opportunities for students within Wayne FFA, daily farm life remains the backbone of the program.

“Even scooping poop, they show up with a skid loader and boots,” West said.

She credits the students’ dedication and the chapter’s strong alumni and community backing for keeping the momentum moving forward. “I’m so proud of the kids’ hard work,” she said. “It took a lot from the past students and advisor to get the project off the ground, but it takes a lot to keep it running.”

Current students laud the opportunities presented and recruit younger students to consider participation.

“FFA isn’t just about farming,” said Henderson. “It’s about learning real-life skills, building confidence and finding your place. You don’t need an agriculture background or experience with animals to belong. You’ll get hands-on opportunities, make new friends and learn how to lead, speak up and take responsibility for something meaningful.

“FFA gives you a chance to grow in ways you won’t get in a regular classroom.”


Celebrating FFA week

Iowa’s 270 local FFA chapters are celebrating National FFA week Feb. 21-28 with a variety of activities offering an opportunity for FFA members, alumni and sponsors to advocate for agricultural education.