The Swine Project consists of 4-H members raise weaned feeder pigs to an idea weight of 250 pounds. Swine projects provide youth with opportunities to expand their knowledge of swine production and, more importantly, develop the life skills that are needed to be positive contributors to society.  Through swine projects youth will learn about selection and evaluation, nutrition and feeding, health and daily care, reproduction, marketing, and much more.  Youth learn to accept responsibility, to value hard work, think critically, make decisions, and communicate. 

Union County 4-H Swine Show was held on the University of Tennessee Herbert College of Agriculture Campus in December 2021. Grand Champion Market Hog was awarded to Union County High School Senior, Abigail Foust. Abigail also owned the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog for 2021. Dr. Charlie Martin, Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Resource Economics. The Union County show occurs in conjunction with the Eastern Region 4-H Swine Show.

At the Eastern Region, Ben Woods was awarded 5th place overall in the Premier Exhibitor contest which combines both class placing and skillathon scores. Swine Skillathon Contests provide a valuable educational experience for youth.  The content of these contests provide a framework for youth to learn a variety of topics related to the production and management of beef cattle, meat goats, sheep, and swine.  Participants in these events will learn about different breeds of livestock, external parts of livestock, skeletal anatomy of livestock, feedstuffs used in livestock diets, equipment using in raising and showing livestock and in processing meat, wholesale and retail cuts of meat derived from livestock, expected progeny differences (EPDs).

Two members of Union County 4-H also traveled to the Tennessee State 4-H Swine Show held in Cookeville, TN at the Hyder Burks Agriculture Pavilion to compete. Ben Woods showed his barrow, Wilbur, in the Market Hog Class and placed 6th. Zeeva Boucher showed her gilt, Hammy, in the crossbred gilt prospect class and placed 7th.

There was a new contest in 2022, the Swine Sales talk. The Sales Talk Contest is an opportunity for youth to sell breeding swine (gilt or boar) or swine genetics to a judge, who will be serving as the buyer. This contest is an interaction or discussion with the judge rather than a “speech”. Youth will meet individually with the judge/buyer. Zeeva Boucher placed 4th in the Junior Division and Ben Woods placed 3rd in the Junior High Division. Zeeva Boucher placed 7th high individual in the Swine Skillathon Contest.