EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The Illinois Pork Expo, hosted by the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA), has called the Peoria area home since 1972. That came to an end when the event’s membership organization announced at the recently concluded Expo they will move their top membership event to Springfield’s Prairie Capital Convention Center in 2016 (Feb. 16-17).
"By moving the show to Springfield, we can help demonstrate to legislators the economic impact the pork industry has on the state of Illinois – $1.8 billion," stated Curt Zehr, a pork producer from Washington, Ill., and newly elected IPPA president.
"I want to be clear that we are not changing the location and date because of negative aspects of the current show. We are attempting to make changes to improve the show and have it be even more relevant for producers and allied industry."
The move allows the IPPA to combine two successful annual events – the Expo and IPPA Legislative Day – with the intention of drawing more attendees and attention to each.
The news of the Expo’s relocation did not diminish the spirit of pride and accomplishment that accompanied the annual IPPA Very Important Pork Promoters (VIPP) Awards, presented to exemplary pork producers from around the state. Ceremony emcee Tim Maiers, who was recently named interim executive director for the IPPA, presented awards for Illinois Pork Producer Family of the Year, Pork Promoter of the Year and Distinguished Service during the IPPA "Generations of Commitment" awards banquet.
Pork Promoter of the Year went to the Brink family of Highland. Maiers praised Larry and Tammy Brink as being instrumental to the success of many IPPA activities. For the past 15 years, the Brinks have focused on raising purebred Berkshires. The family has been raising, showing and selling purebred hogs for more than 30 years, in addition to having raised and shown all eight major breeds and crossbreeds.
Today the Brinks, who have been married for 32 years, focus primarily on marketing quality Berkshire pork to fine dining restaurants and butchers under the Black Spring Farms name.
"The Brinks have gone above and beyond in support of the pork industry in Illinois. Their efforts to promote pork as well as pig farmers has been a true blessing to the organization and the pork industry," Maiers told those at the awards banquet, Feb. 3 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in East Peoria.
Former IPPA President Brent Scholl was presented the IPPA Distinguished Service Award by Maiers, who called the Polo area farmer "a dedicated volunteer who continues to give unselfishly to benefit the pork industry." Scholl has been active in many aspects of both the state and national pork producer associations.
His duties have ranged from serving as IPPA district director and association president, to involvement with the National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board.
He and his brother, Bruce, raise row crops and finish about 250 head of cattle and some 6,000 pigs per year on their family’s Centennial Farm.
"Whatever the organization has asked for, Brent has always been there to lend a helping hand and has always been willing to give 110 percent," said Maiers. "Whether he’s helping at Pork Patio (at the state fair) or helping at a Bears tailgate, Brent’s true volunteer spirit shines through. He is the type of person who enjoys helping others, and it shows."
IPPA Pork Family of the Year was awarded to the Gould family, operators of Gould Farms of Maple Park. Eldon and Sandy Gould and their son, Chris, and his wife, Dana, were acknowledged as the farm’s owners and operators and honored with a family portrait, which was presented on stage by Brian Spangler of Elanco Animal Health, an exclusive sponsor of the 2015 Illinois Pork Expo.
Along with son, Rich, daughter, Linda, and grandchildren, the Gould family of Kane County has "shown dedication and commitment to the pork industry for three generations," Maiers said.
"The Goulds are dedicated to interacting with consumers and telling the pork producers’ story. They have had many opportunities to bring consumers to their farm and help educate people about how farmers care for their pigs."
The Gould family harvests approximately 3,000 crop acres each fall, in addition to working a 750-sow farrow-to-wean swine operation. They produce 18,000 piglets annually for a local hog production network. The family has been a member of the DeKalb Area Pork Producers for more than 50 years.
"As a close farm family, (the Goulds) not only work together to help create a strong business, but deeply and sincerely care about pork production and the community in which they live," Maiers said.
