A BREEDERS PERSPECTIVE ON A MENTOR

By AKKPS Member Caroline Malott of Red Roof KuneKunes

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By definition a Mentor is a person who provides guidance, advice and support to help someone else develop and grow.

Mentorship is personally my passion and I encourage all breeders to mentor their clients and fellow KuneKune owners.

I would like to share with you my KuneKune journey and why I personally believe mentors have been and still are so incredibly vital to my success raising KuneKunes ................

I grew up on a farm and knew all about cows and horses but I knew very little about pigs.  I started doing research and read any and everything I could get my hands on about KuneKunes.  In 2013 - 12 years ago - there were not many breeders and there was not a whole lot of information on the internet let alone books pertaining specifically to KuneKunes.  It was at this time I knew I needed a mentor who could put up with my never ending questions.  I also knew the gift of mentorship was truly  one of the definitions of being a steward of the breed.

WHO ARE KUNEKUNE MENTORS?

 

Over the past 12 years in the KuneKune World, I have learned a mentor is not necessarily limited to one person or a person for that matter.  You can have more than 1 Mentor - I personally have had 6 types of mentors since my KuneKune journey began.

  1. The AKKPS - American KuneKune Pig Society
  2. The Breeder I purchased my first KuneKune from who taught me KuneKune basics
  3. A well known pig expert who has taught me about illnesses and medication
  4. A KuneKune Breeder who has been breeding for 20 years who has helped in tricky situations.
  5. The EKPA & KPPA who have helped through their webinars and pork mentorship program.
  6. KuneKune Breeders I have met over the past 12 years that have helped with just about every aspect of raising KuneKunes.

WHAT CAN A KUNEKUNE MENTOR HELP YOU WITH?

MENTOR #1

The American KuneKune Pig Society - AKKPS is a plethora of information.  The Members and Board of Directors contribute to the Educational section of their website.  This is also a great place to find breeders in your area.

 

MENTOR #2

I made some calls to KuneKune breeders that were somewhat close to me in hopes I could pick their brains on not only the husbandry of KuneKunes but also breeding KuneKunes.  I hit the jackpot on my first phone call - the breeder was willing to mentor me!  This one phone call led to me purchasing my first 5 KuneKunes - 2 boars, 2 sows and a barrow.

  • Feed
  • Water
  • Shelter
  • Fields (shade / wallows/ grass)
  • Fencing
  • Vaccination
  • De Worming
  • Basic Breeding Information

 

MENTOR #3

Before long my knowledge grew as did my herd. I now needed help in another area - medications and illnesses.  I reached out to a well known pig expert and he took me under his wing and for the last 7 years he has taught me an immense amount.   He also taught me about farrowing issues which has been invaluable.

  • Illnesses
  • Medications
  • Vaccinations
  • De Wormers
  • Farrowing Issues

 

MENTOR #4

Another mentor came along in an hour of desperation on my part when I had a sow that would not nurse her piglets during my 3rd ever farrowing.  This mentor picked up the phone and called me at 11:00 at night after I texted her.  That one text has led to 9 years of mentorship and friendship.

  • Farrowing
  • KuneKune Care
  • KuneKune History

 

MENTOR #5

In 2018 the Empire KuneKune Pig Association (EKPA) was founded and just WOW.  They provide webinars and education.  Their board is very hands on with their members and are true stewards of the breed.  Shortly after the KuneKune Pork Producers Association (KPPA) branch of EKPA was founded specializing in the pork aspect of KuneKunes.

  • KuneKune Husbandry
  • KuneKune Breeding
  • KuneKune Pork

 

MENTORS #6

Over the past 12 years of owning and breeding KuneKunes I have met a plethora of knowledgable breeders and stewards of the breed who have at one time or another helped mentor me on one aspect or another.  Many have become good friends which is a bonus and an incredible gift!

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