It’s become a true highlight of the Ohio State Fair for the last three years—the “Breaking Boundaries” Pig Show presented by the Ohio Pork Council. This inclusive event offers participants between the ages of 9 and 22 with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities the opportunity to shine inside the show arena.
Thanks to the eager and overwhelming response by dozens of youths from across the state who are part of OPC’s OH-PIGS swine exhibition program, each Breaking Boundaries participant was paired with one or more onsite mentors. These mentors then offered individualized and appropriate instructions on how to care for, handle and show a pig in front of a live audience of supporters and the event’s guest judges, along with the show’s emcee, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge.
“We’re so thrilled to have these special youth and their families come out and be a part of this program each year,” said Kelly Morgan, OH-PIGS director. “We are also so proud of youth mentors who truly want to serve in this role to be able to bond with these youth who can often be the same age. It just shows how much the pig community cares.”
Echoing this sentiment is Ava Genter, an OH-PIGS mentor who summed up her feelings on behalf of her peers. “This program highlights how agriculture, and the pork industry in particular, has a strong sense of community. It’s comforting to know that we all look out for each other, including new friends. Breaking Boundaries allows us to demonstrate this and show others that we’re here to support them no matter the circumstances. We’re here to cheer them on and give them the resources they need to succeed.”