Cheryl Walsh, President
At-Large
Cheryl Walsh is owner/operator of her family farm in Peoria County. As a 4th generation farmer, she grows corn, soybeans and hay with her family. In addition to the crops they have a cow/calf operation where they sell feeder calves, and own a sow farm. Her great grandfather started the business in the 1930's. He started with four bred gilts. Over the years her family has evolved to where they have all their sows in one location, around 2,200. They decided in the late 2000's to quit finishing and just sell weaned pigs. For the last ten years, Cheryl has conducted the Ag in the Classroom project in Peoria County. The program started with 120 classrooms and has expanded to over 250 classrooms. Cheryl and her fiancé have five kids in their blended family, Reagan, Rylie, Ashlynn, Ty, and Brinnley. As a family they enjoy showing sheep, beef cattle, and dairy cows. All the kids participate in school and summer sports. Most nights you can find the Walsh family in the bleachers or in a lawn chair supporting their players.
Cheryl earned her associate’s degree from Black Hawk East and her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University in Agriculture Science.
How do you believe the landscape of the industry has changed over the last five years?
“I believe that the pork industry is working hard to follow the We Care principals. We have and continue to provide the healthiest product for our consumers. Be stewards of the lands and waters and leave the earth in a better place than how it was given to us. Just because we are on a larger scale does not mean we have forgotten where we can from.”
- IPPA Board Member since 2013, serving in most officer positions, President-Elect for 2024
- Peoria County Farm Bureau Township Director
- American Farm Bureau Animal Care Issue Committee Member