Championdrive.com is pleased to present this week's, “Beyond the Winner's Circle” featuring Nicole (Graff) Jacobson from Grimes, IA. We invite you to read our interview with Nicole below. Please continue to check back weekly for our next edition of “Beyond the Winner's Circle”.
Where do you live?
We live in Grimes, Iowa (suburb of Des Moines).
Married/Kids?
I am married to my wonderful husband Andy of 5 ½ year. We have 2 beautiful children, Drew 4 ½ and in preschool and Macy 20 months old.
College/Major?
I have an Ag Business Degree from Southwestern Community College in Creston Iowa.
What is your job/career?
I work for Legacy Bank in Clive as the Assistant Branch Manager and Retail Banking Officer. I love that my day is never the same thing and I learn something new everyday.
Has showing impacted your career?
I have definitely learned to be very competitive (which can be good and bad). There was always a great day in the show ring and then a not so good day. My mom always told me it built character. I never believed her, but know I look back on it and it definitely did.
What do you feel your biggest accomplishment is thus far?
When it comes to biggest accomplishment I guess I can’t take all the credit myself. My whole family played a huge part in our biggest accomplishment. We have had over 10 lambs in the Sale of Champions at the Iowa State Fair in 8 different years. My sister (Ashley Graff Miller) is the only exhibitor to win the Iowa State Fair 4-H market lamb show her first year. Great job little Sis!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself in 10 years still around the Des Moines metro area, hopefully back in the show ring with my kids. Drew loves the pigs and Macy loves the sheep.
What was your favorite show? Why?
My favorite show had to have been AKSARBEN Livestock Show in Omaha, Nebraska. I had a great show career there and have many great memories hanging out with friends and family, a great weekend getaway - a sheep show!
What was your favorite lamb you showed? Why?
My favorite lamb had to be Bartie, a lamb we purchased from Brad Dale (Iowa). He was such a easy showing lamb, easy feeder and I had many great jackpot show wins with him. My favorite win with him has to have been when I actually beat Brad Dale at the Open Jackpot Show at the Iowa State Fair. I always looked up to Brad when it came to showing sheep and he was great person to learn from. To actually beat him in the show ring was one of my favorite show memories. Brad, thanks for all your help over the years!
What did you enjoy the most about showing?
This is easy...I loved the competitive part of showing. It made me always have the drive to be successful.
What do you miss most about showing?
I guess I would have to say the traveling to different shows and having fun weekends away with my family and close family friends.
What is one thing you would do over again (sheep-wise)?
If I could do one thing over again I would go show at Denver and Louisville. We never went to show there because it was always a busy time of year for us.
Who helped you along the way the most?
My parents definitely helped me the most along the way. They were always there to help and went above and beyond to help their girls try and get a big win. They would always help us feed, fit and most of all help us with many hours in the barn showing and getting lambs ready for the next show. I remember most of all the trips to the barn to weigh lambs to see how the weights were coming and then came all the feeding strategies.
What is one piece of advice for those looking to go into your career?
Be patient, be honest and enjoy all the memories you make along your show career.
If you had two lambs in the grand drive, which would you get to show the other one?
Well, it would have to be my little sis, she did learn everything from me. Ash and I showed so similar that is was easy for the lambs to adapt and that was huge when having someone else show your sheep. I did hope that I was the one in the end though with the purple ribbon. Sorry Ash!!
Thank you Nicole and best wishes in the future!
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