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Slideshow: At the annual Pork Congress, Minnesota Pork Board honors volunteers and Minnesota Pork Producers elect new board members.

February 26, 2019

5 Slides

Leadership appointments and individuals and families involved in the pork industry were recognized during the Minnesota Pork Congress, held in early February in Minneapolis.

The Minnesota Pork Board recognized the following Minnesotans for their contributions in pork promotion, consumer and producer education, youth mentoring and service to the pork industry:

Distinguished Service. Bill Crawford, Fairmont. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual or group who has contributed to the long-term success of Minnesota pig farmers.

• Environmental Steward. Patrick Krzmarzick, Sleepy Eye. The Environmental Steward Award recognizes individuals and operations demonstrating the positive contributions pig farmers make to the natural environment.

• Family of the Year. Boerboom family, Marshall. The Family of the Year Award honors a farm family who has contributed to the long-term success of Minnesota’s pig-raising traditions.

• Pork Promoter of the Year. Clair and Joanne Schmidt, Ceylon. The Pork Promoter of the Year Award highlights an individual, couple or family who has done an outstanding job promoting pork products and the raising of pigs.

• Swine Manager of the Year. Fran Breiter, Osakis. The Swine Manager of the Year Award distinguishes an employee (non-owner) who excels in the management and care of pigs.

MPPA board members elected, re-elected
At the annual meeting of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, new members were elected to the MPPA board: Vincent Baack of Jackson, Amon Baer of Lake Park and Shelly Schell of Altura.

Jay Moore of Jackson, Lori Stevermer of Easton and Pat Thome of Adams retired from the nine-member board.

“The Minnesota Pork Producers Association executive board represents the diversity of Minnesota’s pork industry,” said Greg Boerboom, MPPA president. “Board members represent farms of all sizes and styles in Minnesota. These leaders bring a broad base of expertise as well. We’re looking forward to getting to work on behalf of our members and partners.”

MPPA board members are elected to three-year terms and work on behalf of Minnesota’s farmers to bring visionary leadership for the organization by influencing public policy on a local, state and national level.

Boerboom, of Marshall, was elected once again to serve as MPPA president. In addition, Dave Mensink of Preston was elected as vice president and Adam Barka of Sleepy Eye was elected to serve as secretary.

Other board members include: Daryl Timmerman, North Mankato; John Anderson, St. Cloud, and Ben Johnson, Rochester.

In addition, Minnesota representatives serving on the National Pork Producers Council board include Jim Compart of Nicollet and Terry Wolters of Pipestone.

New MPB executive board members
Four individuals newly elected to serve on the Minnesota Pork Board executive board were: Meg Freking, Jackson; Brian Johnson, Maple Grove; Galen Johnson, Dodge Center, and Angie Toothaker, Granada. These individuals will serve on the executive board for a three-year term beginning in March.

They join eight executive board members finishing their three-year terms: Reuben Bode, Courtland, president; JoDee Haala, Sleepy Eye, vice president; Myrna Welter, Stewartville, secretary; Chris Compart, Nicollet; Dan Helvig, Truman; Brad Hennen, Ghent; Wanda Patsche, Welcome; and Brian Schwartz, Sleepy Eye. In addition, a Minnesota representative serving on the National Pork Board is Pat FitzSimmons of Dassel.

Source: Minnesota Pork, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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