President: Sarah Young
sarahjoyoung@gmail.com
608-295-0505
Sarah Young grew up on a cash crop, tobacco and swine farm, Watson Family Farms, near Edgerton. She and her family participate in selling hogs for 4-H and FFA projects and showing at the Wisconsin State Fair.
Graduating in May 2005 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism and agronomy, she hopes to bring the memories and experiences of her junior showing career to today’s youth.
The WSPA provides the needed connection between Wisconsin show pig producers and youth seeking, not only to buy swine, but to grow and learn. She is excited about the promotional opportunities for members and continuing to grow the industry that has given her so much in return.
Currently she is the marketing and communications specialist for the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and prior served as livestock editor for Wisconsin-based agriculture newspaper, Agri-View.
Young is active in the Association of Women in Agriculture and Edgerton FFA Alumni.
She resides in Edgerton, with her husband Franklin and their son, Owen, 2 ½ Years.
Vice President: Curt Watson
watsonfamilyfarms@yahoo.com
608-201-1859
Curt Watson runs a 35-sow operation in Edgerton with his dad, Sid, which began seven years ago.
Prior to that, Curt exhibited swine and sheep at local and state, He and his family have been
exhibiting swine at the Wisconsin State Fair for the past 14 years.
Curt enjoys meeting new people and utilizing his knowledge of the show pigs and the swine industry
to teach youth. He continually seeks out new technology and information so he can produce a
quality animal for his show pig customers and the consumer.
As a member of WSPA, he hopes to build on the foundation of long-time producers and maintain
growth in Wisconsin’s show pig industry. Other organizations Curt is involved in include
Poland China Association, Rock County Pork Producer and Edgerton FFA Alumni.
Curt and his wife, Leah, have a daughter Sydney who is 3, and a son, Harlin who is 2.
He is employed as a grading foreman/equipment operator for Moll Construction.
Treasurer: Ron Schmaling
n582@msn.com
262-949-5907
Ron operates a 10-sow Hereford operation in Belleville utilized for show pig production with
the rest marketed through summer pig roasts or as naturally grown pork.
Active in swine production at many different levels over the years, he became a WSPA member
because of the great experiences he had with his children, Ben, Brittany and Ethan at shows.
He wants to continue show sustainability as generation after generation becomes
further removed from agriculture. He also points out that commercial swine production in
the Wisconsin continues to decline, while county fair swine shows grow and being part
of a growing industry is important.
Ron obtained his bachelor’s degree at UW-Madison where he majored in meat and animal science.
He is currently a financial advisor.
Secretary: Jean Doherty
kevinandjean@netwurx.net
920-262-8965
Jean and her husband Kevin own a hobby farm near Watertown, WI where they raise show
pigs each year for their children Nathan (9 years old) and Megan (4 years old) to show.
They enjoy going to both local and national shows. Their favorite part of showing pigs is working on the project as a family as well as the great people that you meet at the shows. Nathan
has been showing at the WSPA shows since its inception and Megan starting showing
when she was 2 years old.
Jean likes to be a part of the Wisconsin Show Pig Association as it provides an excellent
opportunity for the youth of Wisconsin to show their pigs before their county or state fair.
The camaraderie among the families at the show is great and many friends are made
around the show ring.
Jean earned a bachelor’s degree at UW-Eau Claire where she majored in Business Administration – Finance. She is employed at Fiserv, Inc. in Brookfield, WI as a Client Services Manager
for the past 16 years.
Director At-Large: Brandon Gill
porkchopridge@yahoo.com
608-348-5175
Brandon Gill, Platteville, is a part of the Berkshire operation his dad, Dave Gill, started when
he was 8 years old. Brandon worked on the farm through high school and returned after
graduating from UW-Platteville where he majored in animal science. Currently, Pork Chop
Ridge runs about 110 Berkshire sows and 10 crossbred and Yorkshire sows.
Pork Chop Ridge raises Berkshire pigs to sell as show pigs, feeder pigs and butcher pigs.
They also sell between 65 and 75 boars annually. Brandon’s dad operates a Berkshire
buying station in Belmont.
Brandon is a member of WSPA because he grew up showing pigs at the state fair and county fair and always loved showing pigs. He would like Wisconsin youth to have the opportunity to continue to show.
Along with being a member of WSPA he is also a member of the Wisconsin Pork Association,
American Berkshire Association and Belmont Friends of FFA Education. Beyond working at
Pork Chop Ridge, Brandon is also employed at Bloomington Livestock Exchange.
He and his wife Tony have one son, Brady.
Director At-Large: Justin Tibbits
Justin is a student at UW –Platteville. He is from Mineral Point, WI and raises and sells show
pigs and a part of a family business - Tibbits Show Pigs.
Justin is a member of WSPA because he grew up showing pigs at the state fair, county fair
and WSPA shows and has always loved showing pigs. He would like Wisconsin youth to
have the opportunity to continue to show.
Youth Board President: Devan Brugger
Devan is the twenty-one year old daughter of Mike Brugger from Monroe, where she grew up
on a 1200 acre cash crop farm. She has a younger brother Colton that recently graduated
from UW- Farm & Industry Short Course. Devan’s family grows corn and soybeans, has a
trucking business and sells high quality show pigs to youth across the state of Wisconsin.
Devan is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Animal Science and Life
Science Communications. While at school she is active in the Association of Women in Agriculture
and UW Saddle & Sirloin and Collegiate Farm Bureau.
Devan has a sincere love for agriculture and the livestock industry, specifically the swine industry.
She is looking forward to another year as a member of the WSPA Board.
Youth Board Secretary: Nathan McConnell
Nathan is a senior at Clinton High School. He enjoys playing football and wrestling.
Nathan has been involved with the Wisconsin Show Pig Association since inception and
enjoys teaching the younger youth about showing pigs.
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