CLEAR Conversations: Teaching the Next Generation of Swine Producers at UC Davis
On this episode of the CLEAR Conversations podcast, host Tracy Sellers visits the swine facility at University of California, Davis to speak with swine manager Shelby Sopocy about how her work helps educate students, supports research and also helps to bridge the gap between agriculture and the general public.
The UC Davis swine facility is a farrow-to-finish operation, meaning pigs are born, raised, and finished all in one location. According to Sopocy, that makes the facility a unique hands-on learning environment for students studying animal science, veterinary medicine, and agriculture.
“Having a farrow-to-finish facility means students can see every stage of production in one place,” Sopocy explained. “They’re not just learning from a textbook, they’re seeing what commercial production actually looks like and getting that real-world experience.”
The facility operates as a closed herd, meaning replacement breeding animals are raised within the herd rather than brought in from outside sources. This helps protect animal health and allows the facility to maintain consistent genetics that reflect what students might see in the commercial swine industry. Maintaining herd health is a top priority, and strict biosecurity measures are in place, including protective boot covers, visitor protocols, and sanitation procedures designed to prevent disease from entering the barn.
“Biosecurity is number one,” Sopocy said. “Working with healthy animals is always the goal, and prevention is much easier than dealing with disease.”
While the facility supports research projects and provides training for veterinary and graduate students, undergraduate students play a major role in day-to-day operations. Sopocy, who manages the facility, relies heavily on student employees to help run the farm — and in the process, they gain hands-on skills that prepare them for careers in agriculture and animal health.
Students learn how to administer medications, monitor animal health, assist with breeding and farrowing, and manage daily production tasks. But Sopocy says the experience goes beyond technical skills.
“They’re learning responsibility, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving,” she said. “Even if they don’t go into the swine industry, those are skills they’ll use no matter what career they choose.”
Sopocy’s own path into the swine industry started in 4-H, where she showed pigs as a student. She later worked in commercial swine production before eventually joining UC Davis. Now, she sees part of her role as helping students discover their own path — sometimes in unexpected ways.
“There are students who come in and they know they want to work in agriculture, and then there are students who have never even seen a pig before,” she said. “Sometimes those are the ones who surprise you the most. They come in, try it, and realize this is what they want to do.”
In addition to teaching students, the facility hosts tours for 4-H and FFA groups, college classes, and agricultural leadership programs. Many visitors have experience raising a pig for a fair project but have never seen a commercial-style operation. The tours help connect those experiences to the larger agricultural system and give visitors a better understanding of how pork is produced.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about pig farming,” Sopocy said. “People sometimes think farmers are trying to hide something because pigs are raised indoors, but the reality is we’re trying to protect animal health and keep them safe. We want people to come see what we do and ask questions.”
Research is another important part of the facility’s mission. Current projects include studies on nutrition, animal behavior, and genetics, all aimed at improving animal health, efficiency, and sustainability in swine production. These projects give students the opportunity to see how research and commercial agriculture work together to solve real-world challenges.
For Sopocy, one of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing students gain confidence and discover new interests.
“If I can help even one student find their place in the industry, then I’ve done something worthwhile,” she said. “But even for those who don’t go into agriculture, I hope they leave here with a better understanding of where their food comes from.”