Cooper Kline, a member of the North Rock Creek FFA chapter and former Oklahoma FFA Association state president, is pursuing the American Star Farmer Award at the 2026 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis while also seeking to become a national FFA officer. Kline’s show pig operation, marketing strategies and commitment to helping young livestock exhibitors succeed have helped distinguish his agricultural project among the national finalists.
Kline recently participated in the judging process for the Star Farmer Award, which included a virtual interview with judges from across the country. Speaking with Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays, Kline described the experience as an opportunity to share his Oklahoma-based operation on a national stage. “It was a really cool opportunity getting to showcase my project in the state of Oklahoma on the national level,” Kline said.
Show Pig Operation Sets Kline Apart
Kline said his agricultural projects are divided into three primary areas, beginning with Kline Swine, a show pig operation that includes approximately 28 sows. “My emphasis is on the Oklahoma show trends for Oklahoma Youth Expo and the Tulsa State Fair,” Kline said.
The operation primarily features Chester White females, along with Berkshires, Yorkshires and crossbred females. As his sow herd has grown, Kline has expanded his customer base beyond Oklahoma, selling show pigs to buyers across the country throughout the year. “I farrow sows eight months out of the year, so it’s always busy in some way, form or fashion around the house in order to fill my customer base and their needs,” he said.
To complement his sow herd, Kline established a boar stud called Klein Swine Sires. He typically houses three to five boars, predominantly Chester Whites, to support his breeding operation. Kline said the addition has helped his business financially while improving his ability to settle females in his herd.
During high school and his involvement in 4-H and FFA, he also maintained five to six show pigs on feed to meet Oklahoma show industry trends.
When it came to the Star Farmer competition, Kline’s emphasis on show pigs made his project different from many of the other finalists. “There was another candidate with some swine as well on a commercial setting,” Kline said. “But in terms of show stock, there was me and another producer that are still finalists. But the show pigs was definitely a different deal in comparison to the other people involved.”
Marketing Helps Expand the Business Nationwide
Expanding beyond Oklahoma required Kline to develop a strong marketing strategy and build connections throughout the show pig industry. “Being a small-level producer compared to the mecca of show pig producers we have in the state of Oklahoma, marketing has to be a very big aspect of what I do,” he said.
Kline uses social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, to promote his pigs and connect with potential customers. Industry networking has also played an important role in helping him grow his business.
He credited the Oklahoma Pork Council, including Kylee Deniz and the organization’s team, with helping introduce him to industry professionals and show pig breeders.
Those connections have opened opportunities for Kline to participate in online and live sales, allowing him to reach customers outside Oklahoma.
He said his sales strategy includes three primary avenues: private treaty sales, online sales and live sales. “I love it whenever people get to come out to the farm, they get to experience it. They get to see the animal.”
That need led him to online sales, primarily through Showpig.com and CCI, along with live sales such as the Perfect Timing pig sale and other events. Those opportunities have helped Kline establish a national customer base rather than limiting his business to Oklahoma.
Financial Management and Affordability Are Priorities
During his Star Farmer interview, Kline said judges were particularly interested in how he manages his finances and how his business model could benefit young livestock exhibitors. “One thing that they were very interested in is how I, number one, maintain finances, and number two, how those finances can work with youth today,” he said.
Kline explained that he monitors feed costs on a litter-by-litter basis, allowing him to calculate averages and determine how to maintain profitability.
However, he said financial success is not his only consideration. He also wants to make quality show pig projects accessible to more young people. “Ultimately, the show industry can be a very high dollar and very lucrative at times, but I want to be able to establish a project that your average 4-H or FFA member is going to be able to take hold of and still find success,” Kline said.
He acknowledged that keeping projects affordable can sometimes mean accepting lower returns. “I firmly believe that livestock show projects are the ultimate vessel to success for young people, and so getting it in their hands has to be a priority, even if that means eating some dollar at times,” he said.
Kline said his goal is to balance the costs of producing high-quality animals with opportunities for young exhibitors to participate and learn.
Mentoring Young Livestock Exhibitors
Beyond raising and selling show pigs, Kline said one of the most rewarding parts of his operation is helping young people succeed after they purchase an animal.
He has been involved in several leadership roles throughout his FFA career and said mentoring other exhibitors has become one of his favorite responsibilities.
Kline checks in with customers to help ensure their projects are progressing in the right direction, offering advice on nutrition, feeding, skin and hair care, and other aspects of preparing animals for competition.
He also visits customers’ projects when he is in their area to see how the animals are developing and identify areas where exhibitors may need additional help. “Getting to work with those organizations and 4-H and FFA, and getting to be there for those students once that project is in their hands, one of my favorite things and something I hope to continue for a very long time,” Kline said.
For Kline, the experience extends beyond selling an animal. He wants young exhibitors to have the guidance and support they need to learn from their projects and find success in the show ring.
A Positive Experience With the Star Farmer Judges
Reflecting on his virtual interview, Kline said he left the experience excited about the opportunity to share his work with people who understood agriculture and youth development. “Honestly, pure joy,” Kline said when asked how he felt about the interview. “I think there’s not many people you’re going to sit down for 30 minutes and talk about Chester White pigs with and get as giddy as I do.”
Kline said the judges were enjoyable to work with and that he felt a connection with the panel as he explained the operation he has spent years developing. “Being able to share my project and what I’ve been working so hard on the last few years and hope to continue was truly such a blessing,” he said. “And I had an absolutely incredible experience doing so.”
The panel included agricultural educators from states such as Virginia, Pennsylvania and Idaho, along with state FFA staff members from several southeastern states. Kline said their backgrounds provided a valuable perspective on the show industry and working with young people.
Kline is scheduled to learn the results of the American Star Farmer competition on October 23. As he prepares for the announcement in Indianapolis, he is balancing two major goals: earning one of FFA’s highest honors for agricultural entrepreneurship and potentially advancing to national leadership within the organization.
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