By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois pork producers will have a representative with common interests at heart due to the recent appointment of Julie Maschhoff, co-owner of The Maschhoffs, to the National Pork Board, according to officials with the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA).

Maschhoff’s was one of five appointments to the 15-member National Pork Board’s (NPB) board of directors made by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack earlier this month. Her appointment to a three-year term makes Maschhoff, who resides with her husband, Ken, and four children on their farm near Carlyle, the only current representative from Illinois on the NPB’s board of directors. 

“We are very pleased that Julie has agreed to continue to share her time and talents at the national level,” remarked Brent Scholl, IPPA president and a pork producer from Polo (Ogle County). “Julie will be an excellent representative for Illinois and America’s pork producers.”

As co-owner of the Maschhoffs, Julie has helped evolve the family business into one of the nation’s leading pork production companies. The Maschhoffs’ unique business model allows the company to work independently with some 300 family farmers in the Midwest to offer high-quality pork products to consumers around the world.

Tim Maiers, communications director for the IPPA, said Maschhoff’s business acumen and experience in dealing with Illinois’ pork producers will allow her to transition into her new role with the NPB rather effortlessly. 

“It’s always good to have an Illinois producer on the board, and we have been fortunate to have several leaders from Illinois at the national level on the NPB in the past. We were pleased to see that Julie was appointed, and she will help give Illinois producers representation on the board. The number four pork-producing state in the nation deserves a representative on the pork board,” Maiers said.

“From Julie’s perspective, she’s been involved in industry matters at both the state and national level. She’ll bring a knowledgeable perspective to dealing with issues; she has always done a good job relating with consumers and producers. The Maschhoffs are very family-oriented and Julie’s experience will bring a lot to the board,” Maiers added.

In an IPPA news release, Maschhoff said she is excited to be able to share with consumers the real facts about American pork production and the commitment of the nation’s pork producers to their animals and the environment through pork-checkoff funded public education efforts. 

Maschhoff grew up on a diversified grain, hog and dairy farm near Okawville, and received an Associate’s of Science degree from Kaskaskia College. She later received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in agricultural science from the University of Illinois.
In addition to being a co-owner, Julie also acts as vice president of public relations for The Maschhoffs.