Family of the Year
Each year the Illinois Pork Producers Association recognizes a pig farming Family of the Year.
The 2019 Illinois Pork Producer Family of the Year is the Lehmann Bros. Family from Strawn, Illinois.
Each year, the Illinois Pork Producers Association honors a pork producing family who has contributed to the long-term success of the industry through leadership and pork promotion on the local and state levels. In 2019, IPPA proudly recognizes Lehmann Bros. Farms, of Strawn, as the IPPA Family of the Year.
Lehmann Bros. Farms got its start in 1976 and is proudly owned by brothers Art and Ken Lehmann. Today they market 120,000 hogs annually and work with 21 grower partners that span across eight counties in Illinois. The Lehmann brothers also farm 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans in Livingston County.
The Lehmann family history in the pork industry dates back over 60 years. It started with Art and Ken’s parents, George and Alice, raising hogs on pasture and in barn lots. Today the Lehmann family legacy is recognized as an integral part of agriculture in Livingston County, specifically pork production.
Ken and his wife Mary have a daughter Amber, a son Brad (deceased) and one granddaughter, Shelby. Art and his wife Jana have three daughters, Janelle, Jodi and Jennifer, and twelve grandchildren.
Like many good pork producing families, both Art & Ken have given back to the agricultural industry and been involved in the community where they have raised their families.
Many different groups have had an opportunity to tour the Lehmann’s farm including legislators, Congressional aides and numerous elementary and high school classes to educate them about modern pork production.
Over the years, the Lehmann brothers have strived to adapt to changes and grow their business, while being good stewards of the land. In 2007, Lehmann Bros. Farms was recognized as the Conservation Farm Family by the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Both Lehmann families are dedicated and committed to a life long journey of success in the pork industry. As a close farming family, they not only work together to create a strong business, but deeply and sincerely care about pork production and the community in which they live.
Previous Illinois Pork Producer Family of the Year Award Winners:
| 1989 | Carl (Mary Lou) Behme | Carlinville |
| 1990 | Erval (Betty) Borgic | Nokomis |
| 1991 | Wayne A (Marlene) Maschhoff | Carlyle |
| 1992 | Hilding (Joann) Allen | Princeton |
| 1993 | Barb (late Art) Drach | Saunemin |
| 1994 | Mark (Sherly) VonHolten | Lyndon |
| 1994 | Norm (Sue) VonHolten | Sheffield |
| 1995 | Donald (Saundra) Huftalin | Malta |
| 1996 | David (Linda) Duncan | Mendon |
| 1997 | Paul (Judith) McClure | Newton |
| 1998 | Craig (Marilyn) Janssen | Lyndon |
| 1999 | Don (Lenora) Peter | Quincy |
| 2000 | Wilbur (Alice) Paulus | Lincoln |
| 2001 | George (Ruth) Brauer | Oakford |
| 2002 | Wayne (Garnet) Schlueter | Rock City |
| 2003 | Russell (Mary) Jeckel | Delavan |
| 2004 | Richard (Venita) Baker | Liberty |
| 2005 | Rick (Barb) Dean | LeRoy |
| 2006 | Jim Scheetz Family | Niota |
| 2007 | Roy (Fran) Weitekamp Family | Raymond |
| 2008 | John (Jan) Kellogg Family | Yorkville |
| 2009 | Nelson Family Farm | Lynn Center |
| 2010 | Keller Grain & Livestock | Willow Hill |
| 2011 | Gary (Marietta) Dunkirk Family | Morrisonville |
| 2012 | Scholl Family Farms | Polo |
| 2013 | Haag Family Farm | Emington |
| 2014 | Gerald (Nancy) Hartmann Family Farm | Maple Park |
| 2015 | Eldon Gould Family Farm | Maple Park |
| 2016 | Dave Conrady Family Farm | Elkhart |
| 2017 | Curt Zehr Family Farm |
Washington |
| 2018 | Phillip Bradshaw Family | Griggsville |
