By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

PEORIA, Ill. — Three generations of commitment to promoting pork and the pork industry earned a Jasper County family recognition as the Illinois Pork Producers Association’s (IPPA) 2010 Pork Producer Family of the Year.

Accepting the award during the IPPA’s Generations of Commitment recognition program and banquet, Feb. 2 at the Hotel Pere Marquette in Peoria, were Bob, Donna, Jason and Anna Keller, who along with Art and Alice Keller operate Keller Grain & Livestock in Sainte Marie. Little Brittany Keller, 3 1/2 months, was on the arm of mother Anna when the family members accepted the award from Jim Kaitschuk, IPPA executive director.

“After completing his duty with Uncle Sam, Art and Alice began farming and raising hogs in 1953,” Kaitschuk said of Bob’s parents and Jason’s grandparents, who were unable to make the trip to Peoria. “By 1965, Art and Alice had seven children. Bob graduated from the University of Illinois (UoI) in 1974 with a degree in agricultural engineering and decided to return home to the farm, after which the (family farm) operation expanded.

“Jason followed in his father’s footsteps by attending the UoI and graduating in 2004 with an agricultural economics-farm management degree. Jason returned to the family farm to begin the third generation of Keller livestock.”

Jason’s wife, Anna, also holds a degree in ag economics-farm management from Southern Illinois University.

Beginning as a farrowing and finishing site, the Kellers’ operation was converted to a farrow-to-wean sow center with more than 3,600 sows and contracts to purchase weaned pigs. The operation currently markets around 140,000 pigs per year. A feed processing center is located at the operation’s sow center. The family also produces 2,700 acres of corn and soybeans.

Each family member undertakes a separate and crucial role in the day-to-day operations of Keller Grain & Feed, from Jason and Anna’s responsibilities concerning crops and farrowing management to Art’s role as bookkeeper.

“The Kellers have always found time to actively promote pork and the pork industry” despite the time-consuming work of running the grain and feed operation, said Kaitschuk. “They have cooked and served tons of pork at numerous community festivals and dinners, have been involved in many local grocery store promotions and have offered pork cooking classes in Jasper County.”

The family has been involved with the Jasper County Pork Producers for more than 40 years, Kaitschuk said, with Art serving as president in the 1970s. Alice has served as treasurer, among other roles. Bob, Donna and Jason have also assumed important roles with the organization.

The family have also been active in the IPPA, serving in various roles and always happy to lend a hand at the IPPA’s Pork Patio during the Illinois State Fair.

Bob has represented Illinois pork producers on a trip to China and Japan with the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

The family is also known for being very active in their church, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie. The Keller family said they contribute their success to the dedication and commitment of all family members and their ability to work side-by-side and communicate.

Other IPPA award winners recognized during the ceremony included Jill Appell, a pork producer from Altona (Distinguished Service Award), Mollie Fesser of Farmersville (Pork Promoter of the Year) and Kitley Farms of Clay County (Environmental Steward Award).
The IPPA’s Generations of Commitment recognition ceremony and banquet took place during the 2010 Illinois Pork Expo. The Expo was Feb. 2-3 at the Peoria Civic Center.