Emma Givens, a livestock production and management with a swine specialization graduate, is spending her summer with Hord Family Farms in Bucyrus, Ohio. Emma is diving deep into the swine industry as a pig production specialist intern. She’s gaining hands-on experience that’s not only expanding her skills but also changing her future plans.
“I was excited to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to the real world,” Emma said. “But this experience has shown me just how much more there is to learn, and how passionate I am about this field.”
In fact, her internship has been so impactful that she’s decided to transition to the Columbus campus to pursue a degree in animal sciences, a path she did not see herself taking. “This solidified my decision to pursue a career in swine production,” she shared. “It confirmed that this is the right path for me.”
One of her proudest accomplishments of the internship so far has been taking full responsibility for day-one piglet care—a fast paced, detail-heavy task involving everything from checking sows and assisting with farrowing, to processing piglets and logging detailed records. “It was difficult to learn at first, especially with how large the facility is. There are 10 farrowing rooms with 48 crates each. But I’m proud of how quickly I picked it up,” Emma said.
Emma’s learning isn’t over yet! She’ll be conducting a research project tracking sow feed intake and body condition from late gestation through weaning. The goal of the project is to help determine how much feed is needed to maintain optimal health.
With her boots on the ground and her goals set high, Emma is proving that hard work, curiosity, and the courage to take on new challenges can truly shape her future.