Pork Board reminisces about the past, looks forward to growth

     The small, but mighty Jones County Pork Producers are surely a dedicated group. Their mission: To promote the pork industry and educate the public on how pigs/hogs are raised.

     Those who remain active with the Pork Producers include: Jason and Kellie Arduser, Doug and Jan Toenjes, Ryan Toenjes, Nancy Miller, Ron and Bonnie Cook, and Garret and Donna Moenk. Other active members include: Anna, Amanda, and Abby Moenk, and Kyle and Kayla Arduser.

     Board officers are: president, Ryan Toenjes; vice president, Ron Cook; secretary, Kellie Arduser; treasurer, Bonnie Cook.

     “And I was elected dishwasher,” joked Doug Toenjes.

     Many of the Pork Producers became active in the organization because at one time, they raised pigs. Then, their children who grew up taking part in Pork Producer events throughout the county saw the need to keep the group going. Three different generations of Jones County farmers are active with the Pork Producers today.

     “We were asked to be on the board,” shared Ron. He and his wife joined in the mid-1990s.

     Their daughter, Kellie Arduser, was named Pork Queen in 1994, and also served as Little Miss Pigtails back in the day, too.

     The Cooks took their turn on the board, and then stepped away for several years to give others a chance to serve as well. When the group started declining in numbers, they joined again to help keep it going.

     “We raised hogs for a long time,” recalled Ron. They started raising in 1972.

     Bonnie said raising hogs was a family affair, as her parents did the same.

     “We would spend our vacations going to hog shows,” joked Kellie.

     The Moenks start raising hogs in the late 1970s, and continued into the early 2000s.

     “Abby (Moenk) was Little Miss Pigtails when Kellie (Arduser) was Pork Queen,” said Garret.

     They joined the Pork Producers also to help keep the organization in the forefront, and because many of the members were well-known friends.

     “We all enjoy each other’s company,” said Donna.

     Doug has been hauling pigs for over 50 years, and their son, Ryan has been raising pigs since he graduated from college for about 20 years. It seemed inevitable that the Toenjes family would help promote the pork industry.

     “We had a big board then,” Ryan said.

     Kellie said now that her young family has gotten involved, she’s able to reminisce about how much fun it was growing up herself.

     “My family did a lot with the Pork Producers,” she said. “Everyone is like family.”

     The Jones County Pork Producers take part in numerous events throughout the year to not only promote the organization, but to raise money as well: Fourth of July parades, the Great Jones County Fair, the annual GJCF kick-off event, Midland School Open House, grill at the Dairy Banquet, promotional events at Fareway, Wyoming Fair and Fair Parade, grilling events and customer appreciation dinners at area banks, Monticello Brew & Brats, and the annual 4-H Awards Banquet.

     Garret said two years ago they weren’t able to be in the Monticello Fourth of July Parade, and people certainly let them know. Every year, the Pork Producers are notorious for tossing out mini wrapped pork burgers along the parade route. Clearly those were missed.

     Aside from all of the fundraisers they do, there is also a Pork Producer represented on the Fair Board.

     In the past, they also sponsored the Open Swine Show every year till now at the GJCF.

     “We setup, sponsored, and ran the show,” recalled Ryan.

     Other past events the group reminisced about were grilling at the pork stand at the Iowa State Fair and grilling at Iowa Hawkeye games in Iowa City as part of a WMT Radio promotion.

     “Many people thought we were grilling beef versus pork burgers,” laughed Donna of those who couldn’t tell the difference.

     Kellie said those who remain active with the Producers today have all been involved for 20-plus years.

     They sadly had to put an end to their annual Pork Banquet in the early 2000s, when many said the hog market took a downward turn.

     “That took a number of people out,” Kellie said of the involvement.

     Ron said today, not every county in Iowa has a Pork Board.

     “There are fewer today,” he said, “because there aren’t as many producers.”

     With a mission of promoting pork, many said it’s also about discussing healthy eating habits as well.

     As the Monticello High School Consumer Science teacher, Miller said she uses educational material from the State of Iowa Pork Producers in her classes.

     Donna recalled that in years’ past, Julie and Dennis Orris, who used to serve on the Pork Producers, would visit the schools to promote pork. Julie now works for Jones County Extension.

     So why has October come to be known as Pork Month? Garret said October has typically been the low point in the hog market. In the past, hog farmers had time on their hands in October and chose to use that as the key month to push fundraising for the Pork Producers.

     Ryan said there has been a recent decline in the hog market with people breeding their own pigs or raising them for companies such as Cargill.

     “They’re either raising their own or finishing other people’s pigs,” he said.

     Kellie said there has also been a decline in family farm operations, as well as some farmers building hog confinements.

     “It’s more confinement-driven,” she said.

     Looking into the future, the Pork Producers are looking forward to new faces joining the organization.

     “We have people who want to come on,” said Kellie. “And we welcome new members in the near future.”

     The Pork Board is also available for special events and occasions to assist in grilling. Contact any board member for more information.