For Brody Cox, preparing for the Indiana State Fair began long before he entered the show ring.
His family started looking at pigs in the fall. By early spring, Brody’s days included feeding, washing, walking and caring for the animals before and after school. Patience, consistency and a willingness to keep learning were required.
Those are the same qualities Cox has brought to Purdue Agriculture as a first-year agricultural economics student.
A Benton County 4-H member, Brody joined the program to show pigs alongside his siblings and friends. Over time, the experience helped him discover new interests and develop skills that make him ready for this next leap.
“4-H definitely sparked my interest in the swine industry,” Brody said. “When I was younger, I was just showing pigs and taking them to a couple of shows each year. Eventually, it developed into a passion.”
The summer after his junior year of high school, Brody and his best friend decided to start a direct-to-consumer pork business. Together, they raise about 120 pigs each year and sell pork to customers in their community.
The business gave Brody an opportunity to apply what he learned through 4-H while building skills in animal care, customer service and entrepreneurship. It also helped him realize how agriculture and business could come together in his future.
Now studying agricultural economics at Purdue, Brody feels beyond ready. He plans to attend law school and become an agricultural attorney, specializing in legal issues affecting farms, agribusinesses and food production.
Finding His Own Path
Brody’s parents, Brent and Natasha Cox, are both Purdue Agriculture alumni.
“We met at Purdue and bleed black and gold, but we wanted Brody to discover his own path,” said Natasha Cox, senior vice president of lending at Farm Credit Mid-America.
Brody considered several colleges before choosing Purdue. He was drawn to its reputation, the connections he could build and the preparation he would receive for a career in agriculture.
“For me, it came down to Purdue being one of the country’s top agriculture schools,” Brody said. Purdue ranks No. 3 nationally. “It offers hands-on experiences, strong connections with the agriculture industry and a reputation for preparing hardworking individuals.”
Prepared For His Next Challenge
Brody arrived at Purdue with experience leading and mentoring others and helping turn an idea into a growing business. He credits 4-H and FFA with giving him the confidence to pursue opportunities and preparing him for the transition to college.
“They helped me grow into the leader I am today,” Cox said.
Some of Brody’s most meaningful 4-H experiences came from helping younger members. When he was starting out, older members taught him how to show pigs, answered his questions and helped him find his place in the program. As Brody gained experience, he began offering that same support to others. Members learn from those ahead of them, grow in confidence and then reach back to help the next generation find its way.
“I remember how much the older members helped me when I was starting out,” Cox said. “Now, I want to pass that support along and help younger members build confidence, reach their goals and find their own passion.”
Brody applies the lessons he learned through 4-H to his Purdue Agriculture experience. Work hard. Ask questions. Build relationships. Be willing to try something new.
Brody’s journey offers proof that the skills 4-H members are building today prepare them for their future. Every project completed, challenge overcome and leadership role accepted adds to that preparation.
Brody’s experience reflects how the lessons learned through 4-H and FFA can carry into college, business and career planning. From caring for livestock to mentoring younger members and building a pork business, he has developed skills he hopes to carry into a career in agricultural law. As he begins his college journey, those experiences continue to shape his goals and the path he wants to pursue.
Written by: Nyssa Lilovich, Purdue Agricultural Communications
