Family of the Year

2026 Illinois Pork Producer Family of the Year:

The Leman Family from Eureka, Illinois

Leman Farms Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned agricultural enterprise located near Eureka, Illinois. The farm is deeply rooted in diversified crop and livestock production — raising corn, soybeans, seed beans, and producing high-quality pork for regional and national markets. The operation emphasizes generational land stewardship, efficient production practices, and investment in both people and infrastructure to support long-term growth and food-secure rural communities. 

Chad’s grandfather, Vernon Leman started farming the main homestead in 1948, laying the groundwork for future generations by cultivating crops and raising a mix of livestock.  He and his wife Viola had four sons, the youngest Keith who returned to the farm with his wife Dorothy, after graduating from Illinois State University with an Ag Education degree in 1973.  Two of Keith’s older brothers, Gene and Alan were also heavily involved in the pork industry.  Gene as a Vice President at Iowa Beef Packers and then Tyson Foods, and Dr. Al Leman as one of the premier swine vets in the country. A third brother, Hap is a farmland investor along with his sons.

Keith and Dorothy began slowly transitioning from a multi species farmstead to a swine only enterprise.  In the early 80’s, Keith built his first farrowing barn followed over the next few years with gestation, nursery, and a finishing barn.  Keith would often hire high school boys to help with hog and field work.  Their faith in God was always front and center as they started with meager means and worked hard over many years to create a farm that could be passed down to the next generation.

Currently, at the head of this operation, is Chad Leman, president of Leman Farms Inc. and a lifelong steward of the family’s farming legacy. As a third-generation farmer, Chad has helped guide the evolution of the family’s enterprise from traditional row crops and a small farrow to finish operation to a fully diversified farm that markets approximately 120,000 hogs annually alongside its corn and soybean production.

Chad’s wife, Staci has been instrumental in the daily routine at Leman Farms as the treasurer and bookkeeper.  She oversees all recordkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, and employee payroll.  Her workload increases during spring planting and fall harvest delivering meals to the field crews.  Staci’s attention to detail and ability to take on an ever-expanding role have made her invaluable to the family farm.

At the heart of the farm are the employees, several of whom have worked at Leman Farms between fifteen and thirty years.  This continuity and experience have made it possible to have measured growth without sacrificing performance and productivity.  Between hog care, feed milling, repair shop, trucking, and fieldwork, these men and women have been extremely dedicated and treat the farm as though it is their own.  Without this team, Leman Farms would not look the way it does today.

Also vital to the success at Leman Farms are the contract growers that work alongside the Leman team.  These growers provide daily care of the pigs and maintenance of their barns while utilizing the manure on their own crop acres.  These relationships have served as a win/win for both Leman’s and the grower partners.

Chad and Staci have four daughters, and a son in law.  Their oldest, Tessa returned to the farm in 2022 after graduating with a business degree from Illinois State University. Her responsibilities center around agronomic decision making, and human resources.  Second oldest Darby married Hunter Gladson and teaches Spanish at a local high school.  Her fluency in languages has been an important resource at Leman Farms as they rely more heavily on foreign workers to care for pigs.  Youngest daughters Sofie and Sierra work off farm jobs and live nearby. 

Within Leman Farms, Chad is known for balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational excellence — from managing grain logistics and marketing to building a reliable, experienced team and welcoming the next generation into the business. His approach emphasizes hard work, thoughtful risk management, and a deep sense of responsibility to the land, livestock, employees, and community. 

Chad’s leadership extends beyond the farm. He served as President of the Illinois Pork Producers Association in 2023, where he focused on industry challenges such as labor shortages and policy issues affecting pork producers statewide, advocating for practical solutions and stronger agricultural representation.  Much of his time on the board at IPPA involved working directly with state and federal legislators to improve foreign labor access for small and mid-size farms.  After the 2023 Supreme Court Prop 12 ruling, Chad focused much of his time and energy on creating and communicating a practical solution to lawmakers in DC along with representatives from the USDA.

Beyond his agriculturally focused responsibilities, Chad is deeply involved locally, having served on the Eureka CUSD 140 School Board for 15 years, and as an elder at New Castle Bible Church for 10 years.