Nelson enjoys long, successful career in 4-H swine project
Kallee Nelson knows a thing or two about pigs.
And about showing them.
Nelson, a long-time member of Jackson County’s Heron Landers 4-H Club, has enjoyed a long and successful career in the 4-H swine project.
She was the senior swine interview reserve champion winner at the 2025 Jackson County Fair and the senior swine showmanship champion at this past summer’s Jackson County Fair.
Nelson was inspired to start showing swine after watching her older brother, Tanner, show his first year. She has shown pigs for eight years.
Nelson said her goal of being involved in the swine project has always been twofold — to learn and do well herself, and also to help her younger sibling show pigs and find the same joy in showing she has.
Showing swine is no easy job. Nelson said she spends loads of time working with her pigs to make sure they are “whip-broke,” which means they are used to the whip used during a show. Nelson said it is also important to teach the animals to keep their heads up, which in a show makes them look better to judges.
But practicing for shows isn’t the only thing she needs to do. Before the show, Nelson said it is important to use a brush to keep the pig clean, adding it is also important to wash the pig before the show and to put on a show sheen, so the animal looks shiny in the showring, making it more presentable.
Nelson, who graduated from Jackson County Central High School last spring, said she has enjoyed showing swine through the 4-H program and seeing a measure of success in doing so.
“The joy of winning with a pig you have helped raise with your family is one of the best feelings I have ever felt,” she said.
And about showing them.
Nelson, a long-time member of Jackson County’s Heron Landers 4-H Club, has enjoyed a long and successful career in the 4-H swine project.
She was the senior swine interview reserve champion winner at the 2025 Jackson County Fair and the senior swine showmanship champion at this past summer’s Jackson County Fair.
Nelson was inspired to start showing swine after watching her older brother, Tanner, show his first year. She has shown pigs for eight years.
Nelson said her goal of being involved in the swine project has always been twofold — to learn and do well herself, and also to help her younger sibling show pigs and find the same joy in showing she has.
Showing swine is no easy job. Nelson said she spends loads of time working with her pigs to make sure they are “whip-broke,” which means they are used to the whip used during a show. Nelson said it is also important to teach the animals to keep their heads up, which in a show makes them look better to judges.
But practicing for shows isn’t the only thing she needs to do. Before the show, Nelson said it is important to use a brush to keep the pig clean, adding it is also important to wash the pig before the show and to put on a show sheen, so the animal looks shiny in the showring, making it more presentable.
Nelson, who graduated from Jackson County Central High School last spring, said she has enjoyed showing swine through the 4-H program and seeing a measure of success in doing so.
“The joy of winning with a pig you have helped raise with your family is one of the best feelings I have ever felt,” she said.
