Brownfield’s Jerry Passer has been covering the pork industry for a long time. Attending and covering the 2010 Iowa Pork Congress stirred some memories for our Cedar Rapids-based reporter.
In his words:
It will be 44 years ago in July that I started my radio career at KBEW in Blue Earth, Minnesota and it would be impossible for me to remember all of the farm families I have met. Not only have I met hundreds but many of those I can call friends.
I came to Iowa and WMT in 1973 and for many of those years I have attended the Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines and dozens of other agricultural events. The part that was most enjoyable was seeing old friends. That was exactly what happened at Pork Congress this year. While many of the producers I have known over the years are out of the business or are no longer with us, I was thrilled to see so many old friends.
First there was Jim and Margaret Ledger of Washington, Iowa. Jim’s son has taken over the operation but Jim still helps out. Craig Olson from Newhall is a past President of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) from Newhall. Craig tapped me on the shoulder at a reception and because my eyes are getting older he isn’t I didn’t recognize him right away.. We had fun swapping stories of hog shows at the dinner table. Otis and Shirley Helmrichs from Manchester were there and I spent a lot of time over the years with them at events in Delaware County and the Iowa State Fair. There was Ken Hofer of Park Farms near Dewitt, Ken’s dad Paul was an IPPA president many years ago. Dale Clausen and his wife stopped to talk as did many others, just too many to name.
One of the first families I met when I came to Iowa was the Keppys’, Roy and Myrtle and their son Glen and his wife Jean. Roy passed away several years ago and I was sad to learn Myrtle had left us around Christmas time. Glen, Jean and I had to laugh about the many trips to the National Barrow Show in Austin and the celebrations when someone from our group showed a prize winning entry. And I will never forget Myrtle’s homemade sour cream and raisin pies, every year she brought at least one and sometimes more to the Barrow Show, the second one was usually mine and I can still taste it. It was fun meeting Glen and Jean’s son Chad and his wife, Chad is a twin and I remember when he was a toddler and riding in a stroller at the Barrow show, and he now has a two-year-old son. Glen informed me he is a grandpa and a hired man to the twins after spending the last several years in Washington.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two of my favorite people Mary Lee and Bernita, long time office employees of the IPPA still meeting, greeting and renewing friendships at Pork Congress.
I have already put in my request to go back to Des Moines and Congress next year and see those old friends. I know some will be missing but the stories will go on.
Jerry Passer
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Jerry: It was great to see you and visit with you, even with the fact I had to take our grandson up and down the esculator. Times have sure changed in farming, I am glad we farmed when we did, but I am sure the next generations of farmers will see many changes also. Our family does consider you a true friend of ours and of Agriculture. And yes I do enjoy helping my wife watch our six grandchildren and we both enjoy helping our twin boys farm our farm and building relationships with other land owners. There are changes I need to learn to help today but the priciples are the same. The pigs the boys are feeding are a top product when they sell them, more uniform and meatier than when I sold pigs. I am proud! Jerry have many more good years! Glen and Jean
Nice article, Jerry! Looking forward to our “date” next Friday night! You are really a good guy, Jerry. We are blessed to have you at NPC! I love your sense of humor.
Jerry: It was truly good to see at the Iowa Pork Congress. It brought back many memories of years ago. We’ll see you at the 2011 pork congress.
Bernita