2008 County Ambassadors (l to r) - Kayla Meyer, DeKalb County; Katie Weitekamp, Mid-IL Pork Producers; Michelle Borgic, Mid-IL Pork Producers; Matt Hughes, Champaign County.  Not pictured: Kayla Dahl, Henry County; Nathan Dobbels, Henry County; Janiece Erickson, Knox County; Sally Erickson, Knox County; Johnna Thompson, Lawrence County; Kate Wedekind, Mid-IL Pork Producers; Sara Weitekamp, Mid-IL Pork Producers.

Katie Weitekamp (center), Mid-Illinois Pork Producers, was named the 2009 Illinois State Pork Ambassador. Pictured with her are David Dedert, IPPA Youth Committee Chairman and Phil Borgic, IPPA President.

IPPA President Phil Borgic presents Emmalee Brink with an award for her service as the 2008 Illinois State Pork Ambassador.

IPPA Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk (left) and IPPA President Phil Borgic (right) present Jim Niewold (center), Loda, IL, with the IPPA 2009 Distinguished Service Award.

Nelson Family Farms, Lynn Center, IL, was presented with the 2009 Illinois Pork Producer Family of the Year Award.  The Nelson family has been an integral part of pork production in Henry County for many years and has shown dedication and commitment to the pork industry for over four generations. 

Hans Stein, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, was the 2009 Illinois Pork Information Parnter Award recipient.  Dr. Hans is one of the country's leading swine nutritionists and has established an excellent extension program that offers pork producers practical solutions to rising feed costs.

Gridley Meats in Gridley, Illinois, received the 2009 Industry Spotlight Award.  Gridley Meats and the Ringger family have been committed to helping those in need.  Six years ago, the farm began donating pigs to the locker for processing, which in turn, donated the processed ground pork and sausage to local food pantries.  The IPPA Pork Power program was born as a result of the Ringger Family.

Bethany Animal Hospital in Sycamore, IL, captured the 2009 Allied Industry Partnership Award.  Bethany Animal Hospital and their employees are strong supporters of IPPA and the pork industry, providing programs and services for the benefit of pork producers and those affiliated with the industry.