Hilman Schroeder, Sauk City, will be inducted into the Wisconsin State Fair Hall of Fame on Aug. 6 at about noon in the swine barn at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis.

Each year, the Wisconsin Pork Association recognizes an outstanding individual who has demonstrated a longtime commitment to the Wisconsin State Fair in the open or junior shows, and to developing a quality breeding program, by inducting them into the state fair’s hall of fame.

Long career
Schroeder’s career in the show ring began at age 13. His first experiences were with cattle, but he soon found a passion for swine, with particular interest in Yorkshire hogs. He started his own herd with two Yorkshire bred gilts and soon grew his herd with a goal to farrow over 300 litters each year.

Throughout the years, Schroeder has earned recognition both in and out of the show ring. At age 18, he topped the National Barrow Show Carcass Contest. A few years later, he won every class of Yorkshires at the Wisconsin State Fair. For many years, he was well-respected as a swine judge at state fairs throughout the Midwest. For his dedication and involvement in the swine industry, he was named a Pork All-American in 1972 and received WPA’s Master Seedstock Award in 1993, with many other state and national awards and recognitions in between.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION: Hilman Schroeder was the first vice president of the National Pork Board and later served as president for the organization.

Schroeder was one of the first board members of the Wisconsin Pork Association and worked tirelessly to organize county groups in the state. He also helped create Wisconsin’s Pork Industry Fund, which continues to provide statewide support to swine research, producer education and programs for youth with an interest in Wisconsin’s pork industry.

At the national level, Schroeder served as a board member of the National Pork Producers Council from 1972-78 and later served on the Pork Act transition team when the National Pork Board was formed. Schroeder was the first vice president of the National Pork Board and later served as president. He also served several years on the board of directors for the American Yorkshire Club.

Schroeder and his wife, Judy, reside on the farm in Sauk City.

Past recipients of this award:

1992 John Wollin, Lake Mills
1993 James Walsh, Beloit
1994 Lyle Nelson, Oregon
1995 Don Lang, Beloit
1996 Gerald McElroy, Pardeeville
1997 Earl Skalitzky, Waterloo
1998 Grenview Farms, Beloit
1999 LaVern and Marilyn Weller, Dwight, Ill.
2000 Schuster Brothers, Berlin
2001 Ralph Wilson, Burlington
2002 James Furlong Jr., Watertown
2003 William Schomberg, La Crosse
2004 Mike and Donna Lindow, Chili
2005 Wayne Fowler, Cuba City
2006 George Holst, Trevor
2007 Francis Fahey, Belleville
2008 David Gill, Platteville
2009 Gary Brewer, Albany
2010 Paul George, Evansville
2011 Alan Butts, Evansville
2012 Erv Nuttleman, Bangor
2013 Roger Guse, Whitehall
2014 Dennis Jeffers, Poplar Grove, Ill.
2015 Bill Clothier, Clinton
2016 Charles Schmaling, Delavan

Source: Wisconsin Pork Association