SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Brooks Basler and the Three Little Piggies

By Lindsey Piel

Brooks has always been an entrepreneur. It all started at the age of eight, with a childhood classic lemonade stand in the neighborhood. A couple of years later, he shoveled snow for money. Then when he wanted to save up for a go kart, he worked for his uncle by landscaping at twelve years old. He worked in a horse barn for a couple years. Then he mowed lawns for the neighbors. His most important business, however, is the pigs.

For the past seven years, Brooks has been raising baby pigs and selling them for meat. It starts in the spring when piglets are bought from a farm. He then raises them and rotates them through pastures for six months until they are around 250 pounds. At this point, they can be processed and butchered. There are 150 pounds of meat in one pig and he usually cares for twenty each year, which results in around 3,000 pounds of meat. Though he is the brawn and brains behind the operation, he is appreciative of his family who helps him with the pig business. In his words, “It takes a village.”

As for the ‘Basler village’ there is lots of activity! Brooks has three sisters and four brothers. Aside from the yearly rotation of pigs, the family has some cats, a dog, and chickens. His father is a dentist and his mother is a part-time teacher. He loves being around his family and doing things together. This includes spending time with grandparents and cousins, taking trips to the beach in summer, hunting deer, and playing sports. Brooks also enjoys helping his little brothers with their sports. In return, they help him practice too. He loves having his family there to support him at his sports games. He has played baseball and basketball, in his words, “Since I was born.”

He is going to miss them during the next four years as he will be attending college in Florida. He will be studying business at Ave Maria University. With his entrepreneurial experience, he hopes to start his own business one day. Some of his business ideas include construction and landscaping. 

In addition, he said, “I want to be successful so I can help others who aren’t as fortunate.” Each year, the Baslar family shows their appreciation to Hackett by donating a pig to the Shamrock Auction. Just the same, Brooks is inspired to continue spreading God’s love in the future through giving back. He would like to live in Michigan close to his family with land, a wife, and at least two sons. With his many successes–from lemonade stands to pig farming–Brooks is ready to enjoy a sunny, farmy life.