COLUMBUS, Ohio-‐ While several collegiate livestock judging teams were competing last weekend, members of Ohio State University’s team were paying it forward on a service trip to Hopewell, Jamaica. The trip was made possible thanks to a generous travel award sponsored by Kevin and Megan Wendt, owners of showpig.com and co-founders of the non-profit organization, World Changers.
The team allied with World Changers and local builders to co‐produce a swine micro-business to be owned and run by teens in Hopewell. One of the goals listed on the World Changers website is to, “Provide opportunities for youth passionate about agriculture and livestock to be successful in creating initiatives to address some of the greater life sustaining and entrepreneurial needs of our world today.” OSU’s students certainly felt this mission was accomplished. For more information about World Changers, please log on to their website, www.worldchangersmovement.org.
Coac
h Kyle Culp and his wife Ashley accompanied 2014 team members Tonya Fender of Lynchburg, Cody Shafer of Eaton, Courtney Tarvin of Mount Olivet, Ky. and 2013 judging team member Megan Moorman of Xenia. The OSU group collaborated with Mike and Adam Nygren of World Changers, Eastwood High School student Logan Browne of Bowling Green, Lake Land College student Kelsie Hinds of Newcomerstown, and Purdue University student Lauren Haslem of Cincinatti for the four‐day experience from February 20-23.
Culp believes the relationship between World Changers and the OSU Livestock Judging Team is the first partnership of its kind and is looking forward to planning a similar service trip with future judging team members. Culp stated, “I believe creating a sense of selflessness amongst our students and providing opportunities to expand world views should be top priorities for 21st century educators. Fortunately for OSU students, we have strong alumni and campus support to help achieve those initiatives.”
The next competition for t
he team is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 17th. The 2014 OSU Livestock Judging Team consists of Zach Bartenslager, Lewisburg, W. Va., Levi Criswell, Marion, Ohio, Tonya Fender, Lynchburg, Ohio, Megan Hunker, Bellevue, Ohio, Jacob Ruffing, Republic, Ohio, Cody Shafer, Eaton, Ohio, Courtney Tarvin, Mt. Olivet, Ky., and Lydia Ulry, Johnstown, Ohio. Emily Limes, Bowling Green, Ohio, is serving as the Assistant Coach of the team.
For more information about the OSU Livestock Judging Team, please contact Kyle Culp at culp.1045@osu.edu or 260-223‐3578.
-Listen to an audio interview with Kyle Culp at Brownfield Ag News for America website-
(Photo upper right: Kelsie Hinds and Megan Moorman.)
Photos courtesy of Mike Nygren and trip members.
