June/July 2024 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 27 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FFA CHAPTER Your tax-deductible donation to I Believe in the Future of Ag allows FFA chapters to organize community service projects, participate in leadership conferences and create innovative programs in their communities. DONATE TODAY! neffafoundation.org | 402-472-5224 Judging reasons are usually given one-on-one, with the contestant speaking to a contest official. Former University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Livestock Judging Coach Blaine French says it’s important for contestants to be able to give rational explanations for their placings in a formatted, professional way. Having these kinds of skills translates directly into life skills that young adults involved with livestock judging will carry through their career and lifetime. How Youth Start Judging French grew up on a farm in Arkansas but didn’t get into showing or judging livestock until his high school ag teacher made it “one of the cool things” to be a part of in FFA. “Growing up, I was very competitive and played sports, then got involved showing and judging livestock in FFA. By the time I was a sophomore, I was hooked,” French explains. French attended Fort Scott Community College to livestock judge competitively then transferred to the University of Arkansas. “I had a good senior college run, then was blessed to be able to get my master’s degree and serve as the assistant coach there in Arkansas,” he says. “That started my path towards being a livestock judging coach.” After graduating, French became the assistant judging coach at Connors State College in Warner, Okla. He coached for one year surrounded by some very high-level people in the judging world before the opportunity opened at UNL in June 2019 to serve as the head livestock judging coach. Even though French never thought livestock judging would lead to a career in coaching, he’s grateful he “jumped into the coaching game.” Ashtyn Vivion is in her sixth year teaching ag education at Alliance High School in Alliance. She transitioned into teaching after earning her degree in animal science from UNL and found herself ranching with her husband. While she had some judging experience from competing in high school, she has two parent volunteers who help coach the local 4-H and FFA livestock judging teams. Alliance FFA recently won the Nebraska FFA state livestock judging contest and will compete at the national competition this fall. “That’s really our advantage for FFA livestock judging – we’ve got a great 4-H program established in the county,” Vivion clarifies. “By the time they get to me, a lot of these kids have been judging for years.” She acknowledged that she does CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 “The skills kids learn from this activity are second to none in preparing them for their career. Communication skills, quick and accurate decision-making skills and time management are elite skills they learn.” — Blaine French
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTMxNTA5