Cole and Ruthann Carity have spent their whole lives on the farm. Their parents, Brent and Marie, are active members of the Shelby County Farm Bureau. They’ve nurtured and passed down a love for farm animals and hard work. Cole and Ruthann are members of the Fort Loramie Livestock 4-H Club.

Over the years of raising and showing pigs, Ruthann has developed an appreciation for the life cycle. Since the Carity family breeds and farrows their show pigs, Cole and Ruthann have had the chance to see the process from start to finish.

“I get to see them from their birth, to where we show them, to then where we breed them at the end of their show career,” says Ruthann. The Carity family is not afraid to travel, and Cole and Ruthann have spent a lot of weekends showing in Ohio and across the county. Cole enjoys traveling and “meeting nice people” along the way.

Though it’s hard for the Carity kids to imagine living any other lifestyle, they know that some people don’t know what it’s like to live on a farm. When asked, “What would you want to say to someone who has never shown pigs?” they answered with wisdom beyond their years. Cole spoke to the care and attention that animal producers have for their livestock, and Ruthann spoke about the merits of hard work and effort. The lessons they’ve learned through their 4-H hog projects will stick with them for years to come.

To see the full interview with Cole and Ruthann, click below. 

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
Suggested Tags: