Karl Schenk (SDARL IV) received the Master Pork Producer award at the Master Pork Producers Association (MPPA) Recognition and Awards Banquet held in Sioux Falls on January 12th. Karl and his family have only been in swine production for 3 years, but have been leaders in the pork industry in and out of the barns. Pork production has allowed two of his family members to return home to the farming operation, and Karl has been a leader in developing the livestock industry in Yankton County. All the work on the farm is done by family members Karl, Nancy, Meghan & Ian Grassel, Kyra and Erika. His daughter, Erika, is a 2021 Pork Ambassador for the South Dakota Pork Producers Council, and daughter Kyra is a 2021 MPPA Scholarship Award winner.
Pictured above, at left, Bob Thaler (SDARL III) from South Dakota State University, Mark Vanderwerf, Farm Credit Service of America and Master Pork Producers, Tyler Bates of Boehringer-Ingelheim and Master Pork Producers, Ian Grassel, Jeremy Nelson and at right, Karl Schenk (SDARL IV), recipient of the Master Pork Producer Award.
SDARL graduates on hand to congratulate Karl on his Master Pork Producer award include, from left, David Skaggs (SDARL V), Craig Dybedahl (SDARL II), Jim Petrik (SDARL I), Lora Berg (SDARL X), Steve Pohl (SDARL IV), Ray Epp (SDARL V), Bob Thaler (SDARL III), Shane Odegaard (SDARL VI), Karl Schenk (SDARL IV), and Lynn Hurley (SDARL IV).
