LIMA, Ohio – This year’s Ohio Pork Congress saw 500 pork producers from Ohio and neighboring states converge in Lima for a two-day event. Topics included sow livability, bio security, feed nutrition, PRRS resistance and TN visas. A trade show with vendors representing 70 companies and organizations was also included.

“Our industry faces challenges in 2023,” Ohio Pork Council President Nick Seger told the gathering. “The big wins we’ve had don’t mean the fight to protect our industry is over, but I am confident we can use this momentum to rise to the occasion, overcome and adapt. If I could accomplish one thing this year, it would be further education of the general public about the pork industry. It’s so important we are telling our story about what we are doing for the environment and animal welfare for the sake of future generations.”

Seger is highly optimistic about Ohio’s pork industry.

“I’m excited because of all the new producers we’ve gained in the past five to 10 years in Ohio,” he said, “from young producers to farmers raising hogs for the first time in their life. This grows our ability to reach more people to show communities what we are doing in the pork industry while opening their eyes to all of the job opportunities pig operations provide.”

The highlight at the annual event is the awards luncheon, where several volunteers are recognized for outstanding contributions to the Ohio pork industry. The Ohio Pork Industry Excellence, Service, Pork Promoter of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Friend of Pork Industry awards were presented.

“The Ohio pork industry is filled with great leaders from top to bottom,” Seger said.

Wendell Waters, of Coshocton County, Ohio, was recognized with the Pork Industry Excellence Award. This award is given annually to the pork farmer for their willingness to go above and beyond to donate time, money and talents on behalf of the industry at the state and national level.

In the late 1970s, Waters joined the “Ohio Corn Rookies,” an informal group of farmers who met to discuss farm management techniques. That group evolved into the Ohio Corn Growers seven years later. In 1977, Wendell and his wife, Marsha, were named Ohio’s Outstanding Young Farm Couple. Wendell advocated for the Ohio Corn Marketing Program, which was established in 1989.

Waters has served as a Soil and Water Conservation District board supervisor, and with the Ohio Pork Producers and the Ohio Soybean Association. Today he serves as the ag person in the local United Way campaign that supports the junior fair sale and 4-H. He owns and operates WenMar Farms, which consists of a 3,600-sow, farrow-to-finish operation and 4,000 acres of corn and soybeans.

The Ohio Pork Industry Service Award went to an individual who exemplifies outstanding service, exceeding volunteer expectations, and willing to support the pork industry in various ways. This year, the Ohio Pork Council recognized Rich Deaton, of Darke County, with that honor.

A sales and technical service representative for Pig Improvement Company, Deaton serves on the Ohio Pork Council and board of directors of the National Pork Board. He has served as a Pork Act Delegate and devotes countless hours to promotion, advancement and research development when it comes to the pork industry.

The Pork Promoter of the Year Award was presented to Ken Garee, of Delaware County, Ohio. Garee works at Kalmbach Feeds as a swine logistics coordinator. Garee has been an active member of the Ohio Pork Council’s board of directors and currently serves as the president-elect for the organization. Garee is grill master at the pork stand at the Ohio State Fair. He has donned the “Mr. Pig” costume at the fair to bring attention to the Ohio pork industry and to increase the presence of Ohio Pork Council on social media.

Todd Post, of Mercer County, Ohio, was named the Ohio Pork Council Swine Manager of the Year. This award recognizes a leader of a swine operation who is highly knowledgeable of the pork industry and has demonstrated the ability to make key decisions on behalf of his operation.

Post’s passion for pork and working with pigs led him to a career with Cooper Farms as the lead service person. Throughout Post’s 10 years with Cooper Farms, he has been instrumental in the growth of the company’s hog division while working hand in hand with the contract families who grow with Cooper Farms. Post can often be found working toward making improvements in sustainability, as well as helping those around him adapt to changes in the pork industry.

Former Congressman Bob Gibbs was presented with the Friend of the Pork Industry Award. This award recognizes an individual, organization or company making a substantial impact on the organization through monetary support, voluntary activities, or general support to the pork industry.

Gibbs began promoting agriculture while attending Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute. Gibbs moved into the legislative arena, where he served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was elected to the Ohio Senate in 2008. While in the legislature, Gibbs used his knowledge and passion for agriculture to advocate for Ohio pig farmers. In a time when agriculture needed someone to stand up for them on a national level, Gibbs dud just that, serving in Congress from 2011 to 2023.