2016 Elections NW Region Director Candidate

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1 2016 Elections NW Region Director Candidate James Boyer Emmet County Jim is owner of Boyer Farms and Diamond 5, LLC in Emmet County and he produces 16,000 head of wean-to-finish hogs per year. He also has 380 acres of corn. Boyer was active in grilling for Iowa Pork Producers Association 4 th of July Fareway Promotions for many years despite the fact his county doesn t have an organized pork association. IPPA named him to the 2015 class of Master Pork Producers. He is an NPPC Strategic Investment Program participant and has been an SIP delegate to IPPA Annual Meetings for several years. Boyer was an NPPC Pork Leadership Institute participant in He testified on behalf of NPPC before the Congressional Small Business Committee on Trade in 2012 and served as ambassador/guide for Congressman Latham and trade representatives from South Korea at the 2011 World Pork Expo. Jim is active in the Emmet County Farm Bureau and the Iowa Farm Bureau and he served on the American Farm Bureau Swine Advisory Committee from 2009 to 2012, holding the position of committee chair in He has been recognized as the IFBF Ag Spokesperson of the Year. Jim is past president of the North Union Consolidated School District. He was a member of the founding board of Northern Bio-Diesel. Jim and his wife, Lisa, have three children. I said yes to the Nominating Committee when asked to run for IPPA District 2 Director because I believe it is important to support an organization that has had such an important and positive impact on pork production in Iowa. I have been very fortunate to be involved in different ag-related organizations over the years and have had the opportunity to participate in different leadership and communication training. I also have taken the opportunity to develop important relationships with both state and national elected officials that I think is important as we address the issues that face the pork industry. I feel I can continue to put these talents to work to benefit IPPA and all pork producers. I believe that one of the most important issues that face pork producers and the industry as a whole is the trust that consumers have in the safety of their food. We, as pork producers, know that we are producing a safe and affordable protein source. However, we are constantly attacked by activists whose one goal is to put an end to the use of animals as a protein source. I do not think that we have lost the trust that consumers place in us, but we have to be more proactive on dispelling the lies and half-truths that the activists are spreading. As a producer group, we need to continue to form alliances with like-minded groups to address this issue. One of the other important issues facing the pork industry is getting our products into export markets. Pork producers understand that the future of our industry depends on adopting new and safe technologies and in expanding exports. We must protect our current market access from unfair barriers or such expansion will be impossible. Of all the issues that face pork producers and the pork industry, cumulatively the issues can seem to be overwhelming. However, if we address or deal with these issues as an industry and do what is right and good for all pork producers, we can overcome these issues.

2 NW Region Director Candidate Rod Leman Webster County This Webster County Pork Producers member has been with Cactus Family Farms formerly known as Swine Graphics Enterprises in Fort Dodge since The farrow-to-finish enterprise markets 750,000 head of hogs a year. Leman has been active in the Iowa Pork Producers Association in recent years by serving on the Public Relations Committee since He is an IPPA leadership program graduate and has made presentations on behalf of the pork industry through the Operation Main Street program. Rod has been a Transport Quality Assurance advisor for the past two years. The University of Minnesota graduate earned a bachelor s degree in economics and computer science in Rod and his wife, Susan, reside in Fort Dodge with their five children. I ve spent the past 25 years helping build a world class pork production business from scratch and raising five children with my wife. Over that time, I have developed many pork industry relationships and consider myself highly invested, both financially and emotionally, in the pork industry. My recent involvement with the Iowa Pork Producers Association s leadership program and the Public Relations Committee has opened my eyes to the greater need for producers to serve at all levels of the organization. I believe the time is right for me to take the next step. I will use my experience, passion, energy, leadership and servant mentality to benefit the members of the Northwest Region and the wider membership. I appreciate your nomination and consideration. I could count on one hand the big issues that affected profitability in the pork industry 25 years ago. Today, it takes all my fingers and more. Rather than list them, I will say this: From an industry perspective, there will be both wins and losses on issues going forward. Regardless, it is imperative that we have leadership at the local, state and federal levels that is skilled at identifying new challenges and helping pork producers adapt to the everchanging business and social environments. It is important that we are able to communicate effectively with those who oppose us economically or ideologically. We must strive to ensure that pork producers large or small, commodity or niche, local or national have a voice in the debate, whatever and wherever the debate may be. Farmers are the ultimate innovators and adapters. I believe the ability to accelerate this innovation and adaptation on many fronts simultaneously will be critical to the success of IPPA and its members in the coming years. This will take engaging the brightest and best people we can find.

3 NW Region Director Candidate Kevin Rasmussen Humboldt County Rasmussen and his wife, Lisa, raise hogs and crops near Goldfield under the name KLR Pork and Owl Lake Production Company. Their farrow-to-finish business produces 12,000 head a year. They finish half of the annual production and sell 14,000 as weaned pigs. In addition to the pork production, the Rasmussens farm 1,100 acres of corn and soybeans. Humboldt County does not have an active pork organization, but it hasn t stopped Kevin and Lisa from promoting the industry at the local and state levels. They also speak about modern production to civic and other groups. A 1990 Master Pork Producer, Kevin spent three years on the Iowa Pork Producers Association Promotions and Public Policy committees. He also served in leadership roles in the county Farm Bureau and is a member of the Iowa Corn and Soybean associations. He served on the local Rural Electric Cooperative Board for 13 years. Kevin and Lisa were named the Outstanding Young Farm Couple by Iowa Farm Bureau in Rasmussen attended Iowa State University. The Rasmussens have three adult children and two grandchildren. While serving on the local REC Board, I had always said that I wanted to become more active in the pork producers when I retired from that board. I believe it is important to be involved in supporting and promoting the industry that I have a passion for. Pork producers need to tell their story the way they want it to be told or someone will tell it for them in a different way. The pork industry is a cyclical business and we are currently in a down cycle. It s a very competitive business that requires intense management. Just as the business side of the operation requires intense management, so does the policy and promotion of our product. It s a full time job to create and manage the positive image that we believe we deserve. There are many challenges raising a healthy product and promoting the positive public image of this healthy product that we are raising. I feel the pork industry must step up and meet these challenges on both levels. This will be accomplished through having effective leadership in place at all levels of the pork industry.

4 NW Region Director Candidate Marv VanDenTop Sioux County VanDenTop owns Top Five, Inc., and raises 27,000 hogs a year in his swine finishing business near Boyden in Sioux County. Four hundred acres of corn and soybeans rounds out his farming enterprise. He and wife, LaDonna, have five children. Marv is a member of the Sioux County Pork Producers Board of Directors and is a member of the Iowa Pork Producers Association Membership-Leadership Committee. He is a graduate of the Pork Leadership Institute. His community involvement includes service to the Rock Valley Rural Water Board, school and golf course board of directors, church council and volunteering as a firefighter. VanDenTop studied business at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City. I am passionate about pork and the pork industry. I believe we have had and currently have great leadership in the industry and would be proud to have a role in continuing that in the years ahead. I have had the privilege to meet many involved in the industry and would enjoy the opportunity to meet and get to know better, many more. Antibiotics and the Veterinary Feed Directive are hot topics right now as well as trade issues. These are very important, but I believe we also have to address the issue of the public perception of the pork industry. Some of the issues arise because of the lack of real knowledge and understanding of what we do and how we care for our livestock. Finding balance between perception and what is reality while still maintaining our independence is an issue for all involved in the industry.

5 District 1 Jason Rolfes Plymouth County Jason is a custom grower and owns and operates a 2,400-head wean-to-finish business near Akron in addition to owning and operating Premier Pork Marketing in Sioux Center. Rolfes earned an associate s degree in ag business from Western Iowa Tech Community College after graduation from Akron-Westfield Community School. Jason and his wife, Amy, have two children. With my employment at Premier Pork Marketing, I work with a great list of producers. I always try to promote the industry whenever I have the chance. We as pork producers need to get the word out to consumers that we are raising the safest product out there. I tend to believe that most consumers feel that we are not and will not take our word for it. We work hard to produce a wholesome product. Continue to get product shipped globally with not much headache.

6 District 2 Todd Wilson Kossuth County Wilson is with Smithfield s Hog Production Division and is PQA Plus -certified. He participates in the Strategic Investment Program as well. Todd is a member of the Kossuth County Pork Producers and has volunteered for many years at the organization s county fair stand. He serves on the Iowa Pork Producers Association Public Policy Committee. He has served as a county delegate at the IPPA Annual Meeting and he volunteers at the Iowa Pork Tent each year. Nationally, Wilson is participating in the Pork Leadership Institute and attended the National Pork Producers Council s 2016 Fall Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C. He has participated in the LEADR program and is involved in Neighbor to Neighbor and Operation Main Street. Todd is a member of the Algona Booster Club and First United Methodist Church. Wilson attended Iowa State University and studied animal science. He and his wife, Lori, have two children. I ve wanted to be more involved in the pork industry and became a candidate when I was asked to help fill this position. The important activities we need to be doing are focusing on doing the right things each and every day on our farms, from animal husbandry to protecting the environment. We need to be involved in the communities we live in, showing and telling others what and how we raise food for our families as well as theirs.

7 2016 Elections NE Region Director Candidate Ken Ries Delaware County Ken farms near Ryan with his wife, Karen, and son, Matt. The Ries family has a swine finishing business that produces 6,000 head a year. The family also has 1,600 acres of corn and soybeans and Ken, along with his son, Chris, operate Ries Ag Marketing, a grain and livestock marketing advisory company. Ken is a past president of the Delaware County Pork Producers Board of Directors. He is a member of the corn and soybean associations, as well as the Ryan Lions Club and St. Patrick s Church. administration. After high school, Ken graduated from Mt. Mercy College with a degree in business Ken believes the organization can benefit from input on the small-farm family perspective. The Clean Water Initiative that IPPA is helping promote is vitally important to the pork industry. If we do not work on the water issues voluntarily, the EPA may step in to take control. I think we should do everything we can to take control of this issue before the folks in Washington do it for us.

8 District 3 Ed Juhl Grundy County Ed was named a Master Pork Producer in 2012 by the Iowa Pork Producers Association for his efforts in marketing 36,000 head of hogs a year in his farrow-to-finish business and another 4,000 feeder pigs. The Juhl farm also has 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans. This Hudson-area producer is a member of the local pork producers organization where he has served as treasurer, vice president and president during his 28-year membership. Juhl has been a delegate to the IPPA Annual Meeting and national Pork Forum delegate. He participates in the Strategic Investment Program, is a Farm Bureau member and belongs to the Iowa Corn and Soybean associations. The Cedar Falls native graduated from Dike High School before earning a bachelor s degree in ag business from Iowa State University. Ed and his wife, Gayle, have one son. I enjoy giving back to the pork industry, which has been a big influence and very instrumental in our farm s success. The Leaders of Tomorrow Program gave me the skills and motivation to serve and as time allows, the desire to participate in the pork industry. As a pork industry participant the past 30 years, I have been a witness to what I consider a huge transformation in the industry. Change is a constant in the world, but the loss of personal contact by the majority of the population, even in Iowa, to what goes on in the pork industry on a daily basis is a huge challenge and opportunity. Education and adoption to changing consumer desires in animal welfare, traceback of product, common industry practices and issues such as GMO and organic production are going to be ongoing challenges for our industry leaders for the foreseeable future.

9 District 4 Dominic Hogan Jones County Hogan raises 13,000 hogs a year as a wean-to-finish producer near Monticello. He is an eight-year member of the Jones County Pork Producers and has been involved in board and promotion activities throughout the county and state. Dominic also has helped at the Iowa Pork Tent during the Iowa State Fair. He is a member of the Jones County Farm Bureau and has been on the board for 14 years. The Anamosa native studied animal science at Iowa State University after graduating from Monticello High School. Dominic and his wife, Karen, have three children. I enjoy being an advocate for the hog industry. I think we need to do a better job of informing the public about the good things that we do and the safe ways in which we do them. I also think we need to invest more money into developing quick, easy and tasty convenience items for the grocery store.

10 2016 Elections SW Region Director Candidate Dr. Jason Hocker Audubon County Jason is a partner in AMVC Management Services in Audubon and director of grow-finish swine health. He manages 115,000 sows and 1.3 million market hogs in seven states for AMVC and serves as public relations lead for the company. Dr. Hocker is currently the Southwest Region representative on the Iowa Pork Producers Association Board of Directors. The Williamsburg native earned a bachelor s degree from Coe College in He continued his education at Iowa State University, earning a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2005 and a master s degree in veterinary microbiology in Hocker is a member of the Iowa and American Veterinary Medical associations and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and he site on the board of the Swine Medicine Education Center. He has co-authored several swine research publications and has made numerous presentations at veterinary and swine seminars, meetings and conferences. He has been involved in various leadership programs during his career. In 2011, Jason was named to the Pfizer Animal Health 10 under 40 class. Jason is secretary of the Audubon County Economic Development Corporation, serves on the Audubon City Council and coaches youth football in his spare time. He and his wife, Sara, have three children. I am seeking re-election as Southwest District Director. Over the past two years, I have learned more about how the Iowa Pork Producers Association Board of Directors works and where projects and priorities lie. With this introductory experience, I believe I can be more effective in my position in the next term. IPPA is very influential on policies that impact Iowa farmers and farmers around the country. IPPA is looked to for leadership and I would appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the leadership team. There are many issues facing pork producers. In the coming years, market access and product disappearance will be paramount to our success as an industry. The U.S. continues to demonstrate that we are the safest and most efficient producers of pork on the planet. We will be hugely reliant on exports for the foreseeable future, although I believe there are opportunities domestically to increase pork production. How can pork tenderloin sandwiches and ground pork be a foreign concept outside of the Corn Belt? From a health perspective, we still have work to do in preparing for foreign animal disease pressures. PEDv taught us that we are vulnerable and that we must have a better plan in place for the next disease that enters our borders. Furthermore, I do not believe that we should have to live with PEDv indefinitely it is a disease that can and should be eliminated. It is an exciting time for the industry and I look forward to addressing the challenges ahead.

11 District 5 Randy Dreher Audubon County Randy is a Nebraska native who now calls Audubon home. He raises 250 feeder pigs a year and has 350 crop acres. Dreher has represented Audubon County at the Iowa Pork Tent during the Iowa State Fair for 15 years. He has been presented with the Iowa Environmental Leader Award and the Iowa FFA Distinguished Service Award. He also is a member of Farm Bureau, the county Extension Council and the Iowa Cattlemen s Association. After graduating from Adair-Casey High School, Dreher attended Iowa State University and majored in ag business. Randy and his wife, Crystal, have two daughters. It s important for producers to be engaged in organizations that support what we do while staying current with social and legislative issue that impact our business. IPPA does just that and I feel taking a leadership role in the organization is an important part of that process. Economies of scale have driven a majority of swine industry decisions the past few decades. With fewer producers raising higher percentages of our nation s pork, our industry has eliminated many small and middle sized owner operators. In a consolidating industry, challenges like sourcing competitive inputs, equitable market access, and even sourcing pigs have led many producers to opt out of being an owner/operator, instead transitioning to some sort of custom feeding. As long as custom contracts are available, this system can still allow those people with experience in production to raise hogs and pay the bills. My concern is that as producers become further and further removed from decisions that impact their income/livelihood, that unforeseen changes in legislation, trade, monetary policy or animal welfare could discontinue contracts that seemed safe for their operation. Our communities have seen significant impacts in recent decades as a result of technology, efficiency and consolidation. Lower school enrollments, fewer small-town businesses and even changes in our churches have opened our eyes to these impacts in rural America. While a consolidated pork industry does provide a cheap and consistent product, are we truly taking care of the people and communities dedicated to raising safe and affordable pork?

12 District 6 Sam Carney Adair County Carney is owner and operator of Carney Farms, Inc., which he runs with his son, Randy. They market about 2,000 hogs annually from their wean-to-finish operation. They also have a cow-calf herd and raise corn, soybeans and hay. Carney has been a U.S. pork industry leader for more than 20 years, serving in various leadership positions. He is a past president of both the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Producers Council. Sam is a member of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Cattlemen s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Soybean Association. He also has served on his local school board, Farm Service Board and county Extension Council. Sam and his wife, Sherry, have three adult children and four grandchildren. Having been active in the pork industry for many years and active in county, state and national organizations, my goal would be to obtain the best candidates to lead our state association. We are a growing and rapidly changing industry with room for everyone. We must be willing to accept changes for the betterment of our agricultural community and promote our product in a consumer-friendly manner.

13 2016 Elections SE Region Director Candidate Mike Paustian Scott County Mike produces 22,000 head of pigs annually farrow-to-finish near Walcott in Scott County. Paustian Enterprises also has 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans. The current Iowa Pork Producers Association Southeast Region director, Paustian serves on the IPPA Research and Animal Health committees and the District 8 Nominating Committee. He has been a Scott County delegate to the IPPA Annual Meeting. He also is a Farm Bureau member. Mike attended Iowa State University and majored in microbiology. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Paustian and his wife, Amy, have three children. I have enjoyed serving on the Iowa Pork Producers Association Board of Directors and would like the opportunity to continue serving Iowa s pork producers. I think the association is doing a great job representing our industry and I m willing to contribute some of my time to help make sure that continues. I think one of the biggest issues facing the pork industry is the protection and expansion of our export markets. In the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak, we need to be prepared to respond quickly to contain the outbreak and keep our export markets open. Additionally, we need to continue to promote our product in other countries and work to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers. I think Iowa pork producers can compete with anyone in the world if we have a level playing field.

14 District 7 Bill Jesina Tama County Bill farms and raises hogs with his wife, Sheryl, and two of their three sons, Jeff and James, at Jesina Farms near Toledo. The Jesinas market 10,000 hogs a year in a farrow-to-finish system and have a 200-head cow-calf herd. They also have 1,200 acres of corn and soybeans equally divided and another 400 acres of pasture and hay ground. Bill is a member of the Tama County Pork Producers and has served as board president for eight years. He and his family are regular volunteers at the Iowa Pork Tent each Iowa State Fair. Jesina is a Farm Bureau member, as well as the Iowa Corn, Soybean and Cattlemen s associations. District 8 Patrick Gent Washington County Patrick and his wife, Krista, farm as KL Gent near Riverside. He has a swine finishing business and produced 35,000 head last year. He also has 700 acres of cropland. Gent is a member of the Washington County Pork Producers and has held various positions within the organization. He was vice president in and is currently secretary. The local Farm Bureau member is now participating in the Iowa Pork Producers Association s Iowa Pork Leadership Academy. Patrick, a Mid-Prairie of Wellman High School graduate, attended Iowa State University and studied ag engineering. I was asked to fill a position and would like to help out if possible. I believe our industry needs to do a better job of showing the public how we raise pigs the right way. I believe we need to dictate the perception and be more proactive and less reactive. Too many consumers are misinformed because the messages are coming from the wrong sources.