Industry Awards
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to a Producer who has shown outstanding recent achievements in production and/or leadership. Any age is eligible. Selected by the TPPA Awards Committee and presented at the awards program.
Previous Honorees:
2000 – Stanley Young
2001 – Donald Love
2002 – John Chumbley
2004 – Jay Winter
2005 – Rory Duelm
2006 – Erwin Schwartz, Jr.
2007 – Ken Cantrell
2008 – Walter Rode & Sons
2009 – Florentino Lopez
2010 – Kyle Stephens
2011 – Denny Belew
2012 – Kenneth & Caroline Kensing
2013 – Mike Clay
2014 – Josh Krohn
2015 – Wayne and Leslie Harman
2016 – Doug Schaefer
2017 – Cornerstone Ventures, LLC. – Chance Waldrip & Bob Bailey
2018 – Will Winter
2019 – Harkey Farms – Robbie & Keith Harkey
2020 – Beyers Farms, TX – Todd and Moriah Beyers
2022 – Jason Lackey
2023 – Luke Lindner
RISING STAR AWARD
Awarded to an up-and-coming producer who has been a member of the association for five (5) years or less. Selected by the TPPA Awards Committee and presented at the awards program.
Previous Honorees:
2022 – Marty and Zach Weishuhn
2023 – Matt and Taylor Murdoch
INDUSTRY SERVICE AWARD
Awarded to non-producers who make a significant contribution to the Texas pork industry and/or TPPA. Eligible individuals include the media, education, marketing, service industries, government, etc. Any age is eligible. Selected by the TPPA Awards Committee and presented at the annual awards program. (Maximum of three Industry Service Awards per year)
Previous Honorees:
1988 – Archie Abrameit, Ralph Grinde, Gus Person
1989 – Bill McReynolds, Durwood Tucker, Duery Menzies
1990 – Billy Kniffen, Jack Dillard
1991 – Norman Kohls
1992 – Dane Gressett, Dr. Bill Schwartz
1994 – David Kight
1996 – Don Jobes
1997 – Bob Daniels
1998 – Stanley Young, Bob Robinson
1999 – Jerry Johnson
2000 – Harry Caldwell, Jack Cook
2001 – Paul Gross
2002 – Dr. Konrad Eugster
2003 – Jon Johnson, Kermit Wendland, Erwin Schwartz, Jr.
2004 – Ken Leiber, Dr. Bo Brock, Cong. Charles W. Stenholm
2005 – Dr. Davey Griffin, Dr. Dan Hale , Dr. Markus Miller
2006 – Carla Everett , Jim Dominguez
2007 – Dr. Max Coats, Rep. David Swinford
2008 – Dr. Steve Kennedy, Benno Luesmann
2009 – Jason Lindner, Brad Williams
2010 – Buddy Janecka, Denny & Mary Belew
2011 – Patrick Murray, Nicole Boettger, Jimmy Dennis
2012 – Brittni Kaczyk, Stan Scott, Dr. Dee Ellis
2013 – Mike Bodenchuck, John Foster, Catherine Nash
2015 – Dr. Jimmy Gleason
2015 – Pam Kempen
2016 – Dr. Lance Kieth
2016 – Danny Nusser
2017 – Moriah Beyers
2018 – Dr. Kevin Williams
2019 – Rob Christine
2020 – Bayer Museum of Agriculture and Katie Richmond
2022 – Bridgette Krohn and Jake Williamson (Hill Country Youth Event Center)
2023 – Mary Endicott and Gary Rosenbusch
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Awarded to a person who has demonstrated innovative/ superior swine management and/or provides uncommon assistance to the industry for many years. Any age is eligible. Selected by the TPPA Awards Committee and presented at the awards program. (Annual)
Previous Honorees:
1996 – J.B.L. Hancock
2006 – Larry Tackitt
2007 – Elmer McLaughlin
2008 – Dr. T.D. Tanksley, Jr.
2011 – Dr. Jodi Sterle
2014 – Ken Horton
2015 – Lindner Feed and Milling, Inc.
2016 – Texas Farm
2018 – ADM MoorMan’s ShowTec
2023 – Rodeo Austin
TEXAS PORK HALL OF HONOR
A distinct honor recognizing lifetime achievements and significant contributions and leadership to the pork industry. Eligible age: any age, living or deceased. Selected by the TPPA Awards Committee and presented at the awards program.
Previous Honorees:
1988 – Calvin “Cal” Johnson
1988 – George P. Lillard
1988 – T. Euel Liner
1989 – L.A. Berend
1989 – Fred Hale
1989 – Hosa Rogers
1990 – John Fair
1990 – E.M. Regenbrecht
1991 – John H. Adams
1992 – Parks Tucker, Jr.
1994 – James Epperson
1995 – Dr. T.D. Tanksley, Jr.
1997 – Sam Sparger
1998 – Harvey & Judy Smith
1999 – Charles “Chuck” Real
2000 – Don Berend
2001 – Buddy Winter
2003 – Bill Scott
2004 – Christian Behrends
2005 – Roy Poage
2007 – Ken Horton
2008 – Donald Neil Love
2009 – Stanley Mack Young
2011 – David Kempen
2012 – Sharon & Lorenzo Devora
2013 – Erwin Shwartz, Jr.
2015 – Melton Harms
2020 – Jay Winter
ORDER OF THE GOLDEN PIG
Awarded to an individual who has made a significant long-term contribution to the Texas pork industry and/or TPPA. Eligible individuals include those media, education, marketing, service industries, government, etc. Any age is eligible. Selected by the TPPA Awards Committee and presented at the awards program.
Previous Honorees:
1973 – Larry Osbourn
1974 – Bill Startwelle
1977 – Dr. Gilbert Hollis
1981 – Sam Thomas 1984 – Jerry Sparkman
1986 – Dr. T.D. Tanksley, Jr.
1989 – Dr. Leland Tribble
1990 – Butch Roberson
1995 – Dr. William “Bill” Thomas
1998 – Dr. Zerle Carpenter
2000 – Ken Horton
2001 – Dr. Howard Hesby
2002 – Ed Koliba
2003 – Stanley Young
2004 – Dr. Bruce Lawhorn
2005 – Dr. Bob Robinson
2006 – Jack Dillard
2008 – Dr. Jodi Sterle
2010 – David Kempen
2013 – Chuck & Debbie Real
2019 – Kyle Stephens
2020 – Barret Klein
2022 – Doug Schaefer
JIM MCMANIGAL – CHUCK REAL OUTSTANDING 4-H/FFA SWINE VOLUNTEER AWARD
Awarded to a 4-H/FFA Volunteer who has shown excellent involvement and contributions to the 4-H/FFA swine program on the local level. Nominated by TPPA members and selected by Awards Committee. (Annual)
Previous Honorees:
2002 – Henry Wood, Victoria County
2003 – James Mangold, Kerr County
2004 – Gene Ferris, Randall County
2005 – Jimmy Boatwright, Randall County
2006 – Jim Allison, Randall County
2007 – Rickey Schroeder, Grimes County
2008 – Pat Williams, Montague County
2010 – Jimmy Hayes, Calhoun County
2014 – Jerry Nemec, Gaudalupe County
2016 – Mike Rivas, Lynn County
2017 – Cody Reep, Hockley County
2019 – Dexter Adams, Swisher County
TEXAS HERITAGE PIG PRODUCTION
An honor recognizing families who have been involved in continuous pig production for 50 years or more. The requirements are as follows: (1) Pigs must have been owned and produced by family members for two or more generations for at least 50 years; (2) The line of ownership from the first family member producing pigs to the current owner(s) may be through marriage, children, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. Adopted children will be recognized equally with biological children. Lines of ownership and dates must be clearly stated in application; (3) Any operation that has been sold or is in the process of being sold or leased to a non-relative is ineligible. Those who qualify will be presented with a certificate at the annuals awards program.
Previous Honorees:
2007 – The Kelso Family
2008 – J.J. Mathis
2009 – The Allan Fink and George Fink Families
2010 – Wintex Farms
2011 – Otto Luensmann Sr. Family
2012 – Sam and Liz Sparger
2014 – Weldon and Rodney Walser – Walser Farms
2016 – James and Wayne Rode Families
2017 – Charles (Chuck) Real & Family – Real Hog Farm
2023 – Denny and Mary Belew – Belew Farm