March 15, 1998, article three

PIX#1 -- E.J.Keims, Dale Stacy and Merle Hunker, the three remaining charter members of the Seneca County Pork Producers were honored at the Pork Producers 50^th annual banquet.

A long time ago, 14 hog farmers got together with the idea of producing better breeding stock, furthering the development of stock in this area and stirring appreciation of the business among younger folks.

That was in 1946 and those 14 people formed the Seneca County Swine Breeders Association. The name has changed, but the organization is still going strong and on Feb. 1, the Seneca County Pork Producers held their 50 banquet at the American Legion in New Riegel attended by approximately 200 people. Their first banquet was in 1948.

One of the speakers was Dick Isler, vice president of the Ohio Pork Producers Council.

I appreciate all that you've done here to make your county pork group one of the superior groups in the state," said Mr. Isler. "It used to be 'pigs are pretty and hogs are beautiful.' We've come a long way. Now it's 'Pork - the other white meat.' I think we can all be very proud of the image of pork producers and of pork today."

Blanche Lange is the president of the Ohio Pork Council Women and a past president of the Seneca County Pork Council Women.

"My father (Ray Lange) was the first president of this organization. He was very proud to represent this organization. He felt the pork producers were a vital link to agriculture in Seneca County."

Over the years the Pork Producers have worked steadily to promote the hog business. In 1971 four families each donated a pig to be auctioned off to help raise money for a new Junior Fair Hog Barn. That was the beginning of the Junior Fair Foundation.

In 1997 the Pork Producers sponsored over two dozen varied activities including the Cancer Survivors Luncheon at the Seneca County Relay For Life and the Bettsville Elementary School Right to Read/Kiss a Pig program.

Many of the member families show their hogs at the Seneca County Fair, the Ohio State Fair and other county fairs and have for many years. Bloomville's Robert Sours showed Poland Chinas for over 50 years at the county and state fairs. Merle Hunker of Tiffin also displayed his Chester Whites and Hampshires at the county fair for a half century.

Speaking of Merle Hunker, he, Dale Stacy of Green Springs and E.J. Keims of Bloomville are the three remaining charter members of the Seneca County Pork Producers. They each received an American flag that has flown over the United States Capitol.

That presentation was made by Byron Gamble who was the county extension agent for 27 years beginning in June 1946.

Dale Stacy's wife Velma was also recognized for her 47 years of service as a 4-H advisor.

The winners in the 1997 Swine Skillathon were announced. They were Jim Good, Stephen Fruth and Amanda Fruth (8-11 year old division); Rachel McCalla, Kyle Hill and Tony Factor (12-15); and Jake Ziegler, Jeremy Kessler and Brad Cleveland (16-19).

Outgoing Seneca County Pork Queen Laura Faeth passed her crown to the 1998 queen Jo Bayer. Jo is the daughter of Neil and Barb Bayer of rural Attica and is involved in FHA and the school yearbook. She was a library helper for two years and is a Sunday school teacher.

Blanche Lange read from a speech made by 5^th District U.S.Representative Paul Gillmor on the occasion of the 50^th annual banquet.

Pork production is a major component of Ohio agriculture. There are 11,000 hog operations in the state, including 8,000 farmers who raise fewer than 100 head. Ohio farms are home to 1,500,000 hogs.

The total economic value of hog-related activities is $975 million. Hog production accounts for 7,000 full-time Ohio jobs. Ohio ranks eighth nationally in pork production and Seneca County ranks 22^nd among the state's 88 counties.

And like many other segments of the American economy, pork production is a dynamic, fast moving one.

"The industry is changing," said Roger Fruth, president of Seneca County Pork Producers. "Instead of the farmer farrowing the pig and taking it to market, now you have groups that do the farrowing. Then another farmer does the growing and they share the responsibility. It involves producers having more sows. You're talking 500-1,000 head of sows. It's like any business. It's changing."

Current officers of the Seneca County Pork Producers are Roger Fruth, president; Paul Snavely, vice president, and Roger Lange, secretary-treasurer.

Some folks might think hog farming isn't very glamourous or interesting. Nonetheless, it was a formative experience for one man who made his mark in a different area of American life. Not many folks know that from 1906-17 Harry Truman ran his family's farm.

New Seneca County Queen Jo Bayer pointed out that after serving as President of the United States from 1945-53, Mr. Truman had this to say about raising swine.


Departments	Seneca Co. Pork Producers 50^th Banquet March 15, 1998, article three PIX#1 -- E.J.Keims, Dale Stacy and Merle Hunker, the three remaining charter members of the Seneca County Pork Producers were honored at the Pork Producers 50^th annual banquet. A long time ago, 14 hog farmers got together with the idea of producing better breeding stock, furthering the development of stock in this area and stirring appreciation of the business among younger folks. That was in 1946 and those 14 people formed the Seneca County Swine Breeders Association. The name has changed, but the organization is still going strong and on Feb. 1, the Seneca County Pork Producers held their 50 banquet at the American Legion in New Riegel attended by approximately 200 people. Their first banquet was in 1948. One of the speakers was Dick Isler, vice president of the Ohio Pork Producers Council. I appreciate all that you've done here to make your county pork group one of the superior groups in the state," said Mr. Isler. "It used to be 'pigs are pretty and hogs are beautiful.' We've come a long way. Now it's 'Pork - the other white meat.' I think we can all be very proud of the image of pork producers and of pork today." Blanche Lange is the president of the Ohio Pork Council Women and a past president of the Seneca County Pork Council Women. "My father (Ray Lange) was the first president of this organization. He was very proud to represent this organization. He felt the pork producers were a vital link to agriculture in Seneca County." Over the years the Pork Producers have worked steadily to promote the hog business. In 1971 four families each donated a pig to be auctioned off to help raise money for a new Junior Fair Hog Barn. That was the beginning of the Junior Fair Foundation. In 1997 the Pork Producers sponsored over two dozen varied activities including the Cancer Survivors Luncheon at the Seneca County Relay For Life and the Bettsville Elementary School Right to Read/Kiss a Pig program. Many of the member families show their hogs at the Seneca County Fair, the Ohio State Fair and other county fairs and have for many years. Bloomville's Robert Sours showed Poland Chinas for over 50 years at the county and state fairs. Merle Hunker of Tiffin also displayed his Chester Whites and Hampshires at the county fair for a half century. Speaking of Merle Hunker, he, Dale Stacy of Green Springs and E.J. Keims of Bloomville are the three remaining charter members of the Seneca County Pork Producers. They each received an American flag that has flown over the United States Capitol. That presentation was made by Byron Gamble who was the county extension agent for 27 years beginning in June 1946. Dale Stacy's wife Velma was also recognized for her 47 years of service as a 4-H advisor. The winners in the 1997 Swine Skillathon were announced. They were Jim Good, Stephen Fruth and Amanda Fruth (8-11 year old division); Rachel McCalla, Kyle Hill and Tony Factor (12-15); and Jake Ziegler, Jeremy Kessler and Brad Cleveland (16-19). Outgoing Seneca County Pork Queen Laura Faeth passed her crown to the 1998 queen Jo Bayer. Jo is the daughter of Neil and Barb Bayer of rural Attica and is involved in FHA and the school yearbook. She was a library helper for two years and is a Sunday school teacher. Blanche Lange read from a speech made by 5^th District U.S.Representative Paul Gillmor on the occasion of the 50^th annual banquet. Pork production is a major component of Ohio agriculture. There are 11,000 hog operations in the state, including 8,000 farmers who raise fewer than 100 head. Ohio farms are home to 1,500,000 hogs. The total economic value of hog-related activities is $975 million. Hog production accounts for 7,000 full-time Ohio jobs. Ohio ranks eighth nationally in pork production and Seneca County ranks 22^nd among the state's 88 counties. And like many other segments of the American economy, pork production is a dynamic, fast moving one. "The industry is changing," said Roger Fruth, president of Seneca County Pork Producers. "Instead of the farmer farrowing the pig and taking it to market, now you have groups that do the farrowing. Then another farmer does the growing and they share the responsibility. It involves producers having more sows. You're talking 500-1,000 head of sows. It's like any business. It's changing." Current officers of the Seneca County Pork Producers are Roger Fruth, president; Paul Snavely, vice president, and Roger Lange, secretary-treasurer. Some folks might think hog farming isn't very glamourous or interesting. Nonetheless, it was a formative experience for one man who made his mark in a different area of American life. Not many folks know that from 1906-17 Harry Truman ran his family's farm. New Seneca County Queen Jo Bayer pointed out that after serving as President of the United States from 1945-53, Mr. Truman had this to say about raising swine. "No man should be allowed to become president who does not understand hogs."	Thumbnail picture