History: Pork All-American Ken Van Gilst

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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