SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — During the 2019 Illinois Pork Producers Association Expo, Pam Janssen, of Minonk, was named the next IPPA President. She will serve for one year as president of the organization, then one year following as current-past-president.
Janssen has served on the IPPA board since 2010. In that time frame she has served on multiple committees including Marketing, Education/Youth, and Expo. She has also served on the executive committee as treasurer, secretary, and president elect.
“My plan is to continue marketing our product both here and abroad,” Janssen shared.“Also, to continue bringing young leaders to our table to take our industry into the future.”
The Janssen family has a 200 head farrow-to-finish pig farm in Woodford County. Additionally, the farm has 200 head of feeder calves and 1,200 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. Their farm was established in 1874 and has been recognized as a centennial farm.
While addressing the delegates during the annual meeting, Janssen shared, “We must stand together as one to keep our industry viable. As only the 3rd woman to represent Illinois Pork Producers, in this role,I have very big shoes to fill and I am ready to fill them!”
She and her husband, Bob, who have been married for 30 years, are fifth generation farmers. They have three children:Ben, Kim (Husband Brandon Swartz), and Brian. They especially love to watch their granddaughter, Brooklynn, play with piglets while they work as a family in the barn.
Janssen attends the First Baptist Church in Minonk and supplies sausage for the Minonk Fire & Rescue squad’s annual sausage and pancake breakfast in her community. She also hosts tours for the Illinois Central College agriculture classes to expand their knowledge of pork production.
— Illinois Pork Producers Association
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