This week has been a busy one at the Etowah County Extension Office. I’ve been making home visits to participants in our 4-H Pig Squeal project.  

During these visits, I’ve been accompanied by our new 4-H agent, Jennifer Strawn. We’re checking in on these students and their pigs to check and see how the project is doing and help make sure that they are on track to bring healthy, high-quality pigs to the upcoming show and auction. I can confirm that these participants are doing a fantastic job raising their pigs.  

The Pig Squeal project focuses on the swine commodity group and teaches young people responsibility, managerial skills and entrepreneurship. Each participant receives two feeder hogs in January and raises these animals for around 100 days. They are then asked to bring their best hog to a show and auction.  

This project has a fantastic community support element. You can come to the show and support Etowah County 4-H participants and fill your freezer full of local pork products. Join us April 23 at the Sand Rock Livestock Arena located behind The Rock grocery store at 1715 Sand Rock Ave. The Northeast Alabama 4-H Pig Squeal show starts at 11 a.m. and the auction will follow at 1 p.m. 

Bidders will not have to take possession of a live hog. Processors will be on hand to haul the purchased hogs; processing fees are an addition to the auction price. 

For more information on this or other Extension programs, please reach out or stop by our office at 3200A W. Meighan Blvd., or visit us on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3otwUdl or online at https://bit.ly/3yniPCx.         

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Everyone is welcome! Please let us know if you have accessibility needs.                                 

Eric Wright is extension coordinator for the Etowah County Extension Office.