Jolie Johnson, a Henderson County swine showman, has had nothing short of a successful show season. From winning the 4-H and Junior Gilt shows at the Henderson County Fair to bringing home seven State Fair banners, Johnson says this show season is shaping up to be one of her best yet.
“I’ve had one of my best years so far. I’ve done very well on our jackpot circuit. I’ve got two buckles from just that, and a couple of national shows,” shares Johnson. “I did really, really well at Expo and State Fair. I recently came home with seven banners.”
Coming home with just one State Fair banner is a goal many livestock youth have. This year, Johnson took home banners for fifth overall Berkshire Barrow, fourth overall Yorkshire Barrow, third overall Chester Gilt, fifth overall Open Show Barrow, and Champion Landrace Gilt. Johnson was even awarded 10th overall showman.
Johnson explains that her Landrace came from a sale in Indiana that offers substantial payout incentives to youth exhibitors.
“My Champion Landrace gilt came from a sale in Indiana for Midwest State Fairs. So when you buy a pig out of the sale, there’s a pot of money for Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio,” explains Johnson. “I won Champion Landrace gilt, so I qualify to get that pot and split it with the rest of the people from that sale that win Champion in our state, and there was no one else. So I get the whole pot of money.”
Following her participation at the Prime Beef Festival, where she won Champion Purebred and Festival Pig, Johnson plans to continue her show season by competing in upcoming shows across the Midwest.
