Members of the Toledo Techs 4-H Club receive a donation check from Tama County Pork Producers President Phil McKenna, right, for helping with drinks and busing tables during the TCPP 2025 banquet. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

GLADBROOK – The Tama County Pork Producers (TCPP) held the organization’s annual banquet and meeting on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Gladbrook Memorial Building.

As in years past, catering was provided by Spanky’s Restaurant & Catering while Matt Kopriva sponsored the ice cream dessert.

The event began with TCPP President Phil McKenna calling the meeting to order and introducing the evening’s guests.

Those who spoke as part of the 2025 banquet included Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt (R-Dysart) who was elected last November to replace longtime, now-retired Sheriff Dennis Kucera (R-Traer); 2024 Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) President Matt Gent, a Wellman pig farmer; and Iowa Veterans Home Legislative Liaison Mike Olson.

During his time at the mic, Sheriff Schmidt spoke about the difficult decision he made to retire K9 partner Tyson in early January. Tyson now resides in Dysart along with Sheriff Schmidt and his young family. On Feb. 2, the Sheriff’s Office announced that Deputy Brandon Wall would be taking on the K9 handler role. The department is currently fundraising for a new K9 member to join Wall as no public funds are used for the program.

Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt (R-Dysart) speaks during the Tama County Pork Producers annual banquet which was held at the Gladbrook Memorial Building on Jan. 18. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

As part of the banquet, McKenna presented Sheriff Schmidt with a donation check for the Tama County K9 unit.

During Gent’s presentation, the now-past IPPA president (he was succeeded last month by Aaron Juergens, a pig farmer from Carroll County) spoke about the myriad changes the swine industry has gone through over the last seven years since he has been on the IPPA Board. Gent touched on many topics including COVID-19 shutdowns, ramping up preparations to protect against foreign animal diseases such as African Swine Fever, sustainability movements, Prop 12 litigation, and the recent work of navigating one of the worst economic times the industry has faced.

He ended his presentation by recommending everyone go “Purchase Moore Hamman Bacon” as part of IPPA’s partnership with Iowa State University athletics to feature Cyclone football players Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann, and Caleb Bacon.

During Olson’s address, the IVH legislative liaison provided an overview of veterans and families served by his organization.

This past summer, TCPP grilled at IVH, serving over 400 veterans and their spouses including those from WWII, Vietnam, the Korean War, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror. Olson said the residents and employees still talk about how much they appreciated TCPP’s fare.

Tama County Pork Producers President Phil McKenna, right, presents Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt with a check for the TCPP's continued support of the Tama County K9 unit. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

Also during the banquet, 2024 Iowa Pork Queen/2024 Tama County Pork Queen Lilly Bru of rural Gladbrook gave a presentation on ‘Connections,’ touching on the many connections she made while a member of Tama County 4-H.

Bru told the audience she is grateful for all of the opportunities presented to her over the years and that she has enjoyed her time serving in the separate queen roles.

Swine exhibitors

TCPP makes an annual donation to different groups of Tama County swine exhibitors including those who attend the summer educational meeting, exhibit pigs at the Tama County Fair, turn in a fully completed record book, and attend the pork banquet.

TCPP also donates to those exhibitors who show a pen of 3 at the Tama County Fair.

Recipients of the Tama County Pork Producers’ bonus money, pen of 3 money, and/or swine grant pose for a photograph during the organization’s annual banquet. Those pictured include first row (l-r): Tate Koester and Ashton Sienknecht; second row (l-r): Adeline Kulhavy, Jenna Beichley, Beau DeWitt, Cael Kaufman, Kyle Murty, Clay Koester, and Lauren Keller; third row (l-r): Owen Koester, Jay Bru, Lilly Bru, Levi Harmsen, Michael Harmsen, Ryan Hosek, Mason Hosek, Ethan Klemesrud, Rhianna Murty, Alaney Sienknecht, and Skyler Murty. Not pictured: Emilie Claussen, Berkley Dvorak, Drayke Dvorak, Faith Dvorak, Hope Dvorak, Addie Elmore, Cullen Elmore, Parker Schmidt, Kane Seye, and Adelyn Sienknecht. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

Lastly, the Swine Grant was put together by Eric Keller in 2015; money is raised to assist new swine exhibitors in defraying the expense of the feed. Exhibitors are then required to bring pigs to the fair. Two participants received the Swine Grant this year.

Recipients of the bonus money, the pen of 3 money, and/or the swine grant include Jenna Beichley, Jay Bru, Lilly Bru, Emilie Claussen, Berkley Dvorak, Drayke Dvorak, Faith Dvorak, Hope Dvorak, Beau DeWitt, Addie Elmore, Cullen Elmore, Levi Harmsen, Michael Harmsen, Ryan Hosek, Mason Hosek, Cael Kaufman, Lauren Keller, Ethan Klemesrud, Clay Koester, Owen Koester, Tate Koester, Adeline Kulhavy, Kyle Murty, Rhianna Murty, Skyler Murty, Parker Schmidt, Kane Seye, Alaney Sienknecht, and Ashton Sienknecht.

Scholarships, royalty

Both Clayton Boldt and Ryan Koester, 2023 TCPP Scholarship recipients, were recognized during the banquet and will receive their check later this year. TCPP scholarship money is given in the second year of schooling.

The 2024 TCPP Scholarship winners were announced as Ryan Hosek and Lilly Bru.

Tama County's 2024 and 2025 swine royalty pictured at the Tama County Pork Producers annual banquet held in Gladbrook on Jan. 18 including (l-r) Jay Bru, 2024 and 2025 Tama County Pork Ambassador; Owen Koester, 2024 and 2025 Tama County Pork Ambassador; Lauren Keller, 2024 Tama County Pork Princess and 2025 Tama County Pork Queen; and Lilly Bru, 2024 Iowa Pork Queen and 2024 Tama County Pork Queen. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

Tama County’s 2024 and 2025 Swine Royalty were also honored during the banquet and include:

-Jay Bru, 2024 and 2025 Tama County Pork Ambassador

-Owen Koester, 2024 and 2025 Tama County Pork Ambassador

-Lauren Keller, 2024 Tama County Pork Princess and 2025 Tama County Pork Queen

-Lilly Bru, 2024 Iowa Pork Queen and 2024 Tama County Pork Queen

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

Koester told the audience his favorite part of being an ambassador was promoting pork, especially at the World Pork Expo where he was able to speak with people from many different countries.

Keller said she enjoyed meeting new people while promoting pork at the different events and grillings.

Jay Bru said he most enjoyed helping at the grillings as well.

For her part, Lilly Bru spoke about the memorable summer she spent last year promoting pork, visiting kids in classrooms, attending fairs, participating in Bacon Buddies, speaking with growers at the World Pork Expo, and working at the Iowa Pork Tent at the Iowa State Fair.

Pie auction

The banquet concluded with the pie auction. This year’s Grand Champion pie was a peach blueberry made by Barrett Jesina from the Youth division; the Women’s one-crust winner was a raspberry cream pie made by Megan Gienger; the women’s two-crust winner was a cherry blueberry pie made by Marilyn Popelka; and the Men’s division winner was a Butterfinger pie made by Sheriff Schmidt.

While Lilly Bru showcased the pies during the auction, Spanky Boldt served as the auctioneer.

Lilly Bru (left), the 2024 Tama County Pork Queen, helps display a pie at the Tama County Pork Producers annual banquet, while Spanky Boldt, right, catches a bid. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER