All-American
Pork Producer. The title given to Ken Van Gilst in 1975 when he was nominated
as Iowa’s representative for top-class pork production. At the time VG Farms
had been incorporated for only two full years. We had three employees (two of
whom still work here), 830 acres of land, and a sow herd of 300 head. Compare
that to today’s numbers – a dozen employees, 1,400 acres, and 1,400 sows – and you
can see the growth that has occurred as a result of those original years of
operation.
When talking
about the recognition he had received from the National Pork Producers Council,
Ken explained that it was started to acknowledge and motivate young producers
under the age of forty. “It was designed to promote leadership and the future
of the industry”, says Ken. Once he received the award, doors began to open for
him; news reporters made visits and calls to the farm, conventions were held in
both Sioux City and Kansas City, and lasting connections were made with
producers from around the nation.
One man that
stuck out in his mind and shifted the way he viewed the swine industry was
Wendell Murphy, a producer from the state of North Carolina. “Murphy was a
smart guy, he really figured out how to buy feeder pigs and raise them on a
large scale”, Ken explains, “I didn’t think that could be done at that time.”
In addition, he became close to the producer nominated from the state of
Nebraska and see him occasionally.
The experiences
and inspiration that Ken garnered through that year truly set in motion a
series of successes and growth for years to come. His sons, Joel and Bryce,
took up the same banner by being nominated as All-American Pork Producers in
2005. That came a few years after Joel served as the Iowa Pork Producers
Council President – a year that was filled with international trips and
domestic leadership to further promote the swine industry.
Despite all
of these successes and honors, Ken recalls what was truly important to him. “You
know, I was doing all these things and sitting on all these boards, but Gerri
(his wife) was home with three kids at the time. That was hard on her and I
didn’t realize that until it was almost too late.” With a smile Gerri
interjects, “I think our kids turned out just fine anyways.” Regardless, while
being able to represent the state in pork is a tremendous opportunity, it isn’t
as tremendous as being a part of a family. That is a lesson that is still
preached on the farm today.
-VG Farms
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