Dennis Jeffers, Poplar Grove, IL, was inducted into the Wisconsin State Fair Hall of Fame during the 2014 Wisconsin State Fair, in West Allis, on Friday, August 1st.
Each year, Wisconsin Pork Association recognizes an outstanding individual who has demonstrated a long time commitment to the Wisconsin State Fair in the open or junior shows, and to developing a quality breeding program, by inducting them into the Hall of Fame.
Dennis Jeffers’ interest in spotted hogs began in the summer of 1971 at the Summer Type Conference in Elkhorn, WI. Under the encouragement of Don Lang, he attended this event and watched the show. It was there he also met Bob Symonds and Bill Farrer, and all three of these men became great influences and role models for Dennis.
Later that year, in the fall of 1971, Dennis started his spotted operation. He had his first production sale in 1976. The weanling pig sale this spring was the 54th sale to be held at his family farm, which has been passed down through the generations since his grandfather purchased the farm in 1927.
Jeffers began showing spots at the Wisconsin State Fair in 1972 and hasn’t missed a year since—this year marks his 43rd year of showing. During his years of showing, Dennis has had many champions both at the Wisconsin State Fair and across the country. Some of his Wisconsin champions include his first champion gilt in 1974, the champion boar in 1984, and one of his favorites, the 1993 champion boar.
Other honors Dennis has received include the 1976 Pitstick Memorial Award which recognized him as one of the nation’s most outstanding young spotted breeders and induction into the Illinois Spotted Breeders Hall of Fame in 1999. He also served on the National Spotted Board of Directors from 1992-1998.
Jeffers has always been, and continues to be a strong supporter of spotted activities and breed improvement. Those who have met Dennis say he exemplifies hard work, dedication, honesty, and integrity. Dennis is the son of Bonnie and the late Jerrold Jeffers of Poplar Grove, IL. He has one son, Jerry, who lives in Clinton, WI.
Past recipients of this award are:
1992 - John Wollin, Lake Mills
1993 - James Walsh, Beloit
1994 - Lyle Nelson, Oregon
1995 - Don Lang, Beloit
1996 - Gerald McElroy, Pardeeville
1997 - Earl Skalitzky, Waterloo
1998 - Grenview Farms, Beloit
1999 - LaVern & Marilyn Weller, Dwight, Illinois
2000 - Schuster Brothers, Berlin
2001 - Ralph Wilson, Burlington
2002 - James Furlong, Jr., Watertown
2003 - William Schomberg, La Crosse
2004 - Mike & Donna Lindow, Chili
2005 - Wayne Fowler, Cuba City
2006 - George Holst, Trevor
2007 - Francis Fahey, Belleville
2008 – David Gill, Platteville
2009 - Gary Brewer, Albany
2010 – Paul George, Evansville
2011 – Alan Butts, Evansville
2012 – Erv Nuttleman, Bangor
2013 –Roger Guse, Whitehall
The Wisconsin Pork Association’s mission is to insure the future success of the Wisconsin pork industry. WPA represents the interests of the pork industry members with a strong emphasis on social issues, public and government policies, environment, animal welfare and safety.
Source: WPPA