PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TAMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE/FACEBOOK

TRAER – The Tama County Pork Producers (TCPP) held the organization’s annual banquet and meeting on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at the Traer Memorial Building. Some 60 individuals were in attendance this year – a slightly smaller crowd than banquets past due to weather, illness, and competing children’s activities.

Catering this year was provided by Gladbrook’s Hometown Family Market, while Matt Kopriva again sponsored the ice cream dessert. Hometown also provided brownies and apple crisp.

The event began with TCPP President Phil McKenna calling the meeting to order and introducing the evening’s guests. 2026 speakers included Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt and K-9 Deputy Brandon Wall; Iowa native and Cookies Bar “B” “Q” Sauce owner Speed “The Sauceman” Herrig who spoke about his work with TCPP through the years which began back in 1988 at the World Pork Expo; 2025 Tama County Pork Queen Lauren Keller; 2025 Tama County Pork Ambassadors Owen Koester and Jay Bru; and guest speaker Jarrod Sutton, Managing Director at Purdue DIAL Ventures.

During their time at the mic, Sheriff Schmidt and Deputy Wall introduced the county’s newest member of the K-9 unit, K-9 Kaya. As part of the banquet, President McKenna presented Sheriff Schmidt with a donation check for the Tama County K-9 unit.

During Sutton’s keynote, he spoke about pork’s role as a main protein source and keeping demand for it steady – especially as it is a more affordable protein compared to other options. Due to the recent Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) health trend and GLP-1 medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight management becoming more prevalent, consumers are looking for higher-protein diets as well as smaller portions, he said, which enables pork to be better positioned in America’s food pyramid going forward.

The Tama County Pork Producers’ Swine Youth Program members and pen of 3 recipients pose for a photo during the organization’s annual banquet held on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Traer. Those pictured include first row (l-r): Adeline Kulhavy, Jasper Combs, and Tate Koester; second row (l-r): Mason Hosek, Jay Bru, Clay Koester, Beau DeWitt, Owen Koester, and Lauren Keller. Not pictured: Jenna Beichley, Drayke Dvorak, Faith Dvorak, Hope Dvorak, Ty Dvorak, Paul Dvorak, Levi Harmsen, Michael Harmsen, Cael Kaufman, Ethan Klemesrud, Kyle Murty, Rhianna Murty, Skyler Murty, and Kayla Wolf. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

Swine exhibitors

Swine Youth Committee members Jason Gienger, Matt Kopriva, and Pete Popelka recognized youth who completed the Swine Youth Program in 2025. New this past year, youth were required to attend a workshop about calculating their farm’s carbon footprint using several factors, including the amount of feed their pigs consumed, their barn set-up, and the county they live in. Additionally, they were required to show their pigs at the Tama County Fair and complete their record book.

Also recognized during the banquet were youth who brought a pen of 3 to the Tama County Fair.

Swine Youth Program members and pen of 3 recipients recognized this year included Jenna Beichley, Jay Bru, Jasper Combs, Beau DeWitt, Drayke Dvorak, Faith Dvorak, Hope Dvorak, Paul Dvorak, Ty Dvorak, Levi Harmsen, Michael Harmsen, Mason Hosek, Cael Kaufman, Lauren Keller, Ethan Klemesrud, Clay Koester, Owen Koester, Tate Koester, Adeline Kulhavy, Kyle Murty, Rhianna Murty, Skyler Murty, and Kayla Wolf.

Scholarships, recognition, and royalty

The 2026 Tama County Pork Royalty team was introduced during TCPP’s annual banquet Jan. 17, 2026, including 2026 Tama County Pork Queen Lauren Keller, left, and Tama County Pork Ambassador Adeline Kulhavy, center. Also pictured, committee member Samantha DeWitt. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

The 2025 TCPP Scholarship winners were announced as Jay Bru, Mason Hosek, and Lauren Keller. Ryan Hosek received his check for being the 2024 scholarship recipient.

Pete Popelka was recognized as the 2026 Hog Wild recipient and Christy Flamme was recognized as the 2026 Bell Ringer recipient. The Hog Wild award goes to a male individual who goes above and beyond to help promote pork, including assisting with TCPP grillings, the swine show at the Tama County Fair, and/or other events. The Bell Ringer award has the same qualifications but goes to a female individual.

Samantha DeWiitt with the TCPP Queen Committee introduced the 2026 Tama County Pork Royalty. Lauren Keller was selected to lead another year as the 2026 Tama County Pork Queen and Adeline Kulhavy was selected as the 2026 Tama County Pork Ambassador.

Also recognized during the banquet, members of the Clutier Cowboys & Cowgirls 4-H Club were presented with a check for helping with table busing and clean-up.

Pie auction

The 2026 Tama County Pork Producers Board. Front row, left to right: Bill Jesina, Dennis Gienger, Samantha DeWitt, Sheryl Jesina, JoAnne Sash, Doris Gienger, Luke Asche, and Keith Sash. Back row, left to right: Phil McKenna, Eric Keller, Christy Flamme, Jason Gienger, Pete Popelka, and Matt Kopriva. Not pictured: Brent Beichley, Dean McKenna, Monica McKenna, and Mark McKibben. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

The banquet concluded with the pie auction for which Lane Boldt with Spanky & Sons Auction served as the auctioneer.

This year’s Grand Champion pie was a cherry raspberry made by Whitney Jesina; the women’s one-crust winner was a key lime made by Lauren Keller; the women’s two-crust winner was a strawberry rhubarb made by Megan Geinger; the men’s division winner was a peach pie made by Bill Jesina; and the Tama County Sheriff Deputy winner was Heath Brown with his peach pie.

“Thank you to everyone who attended, made pies, purchased pies, and our sponsors,” TCPP wrote on social media following the event. “We appreciate your continued support in helping the pork industry grow in Tama County.”

The 2026 TCPP Board includes Luke Asche, Brent Beichley, Samantha DeWitt, Christy Flamme, Dennis Gienger, Doris Gienger, Jason Gienger, Bill Jesina, Sheryl Jesina, Eric Keller, Matt Kopriva, Dean McKenna, Monica McKenna, Phil McKenna, Mark McKibben, Pete Popelka, JoAnne Sash, and Keith Sash.