Clayton County Pork Banquet recognizes royalty and industry contributors
Emme Schroeder (second from left) and Cerria Dripps (center) were respectively named 2022 Clayton County Pork Queen and Princess at the March 26 banquet. Hadley Howes (second from right) is the new Little Miss Pigtails. The three are pictured with outgoing royalty, 2021 Clayton County Pork Queen Olivia Martins and Little Miss Pigtails Jenna Hamann. (Submitted photos)
This year’s Appreciation Award, which honors a local individual or business that has made a contribution and difference for the pork producers of Clayton County, went to Ryan Rose and R&R Trucking. He is pictured with 2021 Little Miss Pigtails Jenna Hamann, Pork Queen Olivia Martins and Clayton County Pork Producers member Ben Wikner.
Amanda Meyer was honored as the Master Pork Producer, for her hard work and dedication to the pork industry. She’s pictured with 2021 Pork Queen Olivia Martins, Little Miss Pigtails Jenna Hamann and Clayton County Pork Producers member Ryan Oberbroeckling.
The General Store and More in Elkader was recognized with the Clayton County Pork Producers Restaurant Award. Owner Monica Stence is pictured with 2021 Little Miss Pigtails Jenna Hamann, Pork Queen Olivia Martins and Clayton County Pork Producers member Steve Wagner.
Tayler Martins, Madeline Harford and Hazen Loan were awarded scholarships at the banquet. They're pictured with 2022 Pork Queen Emme Schroeder and Princess Cerria Dripps as well as Little Miss Pigtails Hadley Howes.
Special awards went to local youth. That included Champion Derby Pen of Three: Cael Funk, Champion Derby Individual: Jenna Funk, Champion Non-Derby Individual: Nathaniel Gaul, Champion Non-Derby Pen of Three: Thea Bockenstedt and Champion Breeding Gilt: Amelya Weigand.
The Clayton County Pork Producers held their annual banquet on March 26, at Johnson’s Reception Hall in Elkader. Event highlights included the crowning of new royalty and recognition of awards for local producers, youth and businesses.
Emme Schroeder, daughter of Aaron and Jennelle Schroeder of Farmersburg, was crowned 2022 Clayton County Pork Queen. Cerria Dripps was honored as princess. Her parents are Tanya and David Dripps, of Garber.
Other queen candidates included Jenna Funk, daughter of Rick and Amy Funk of Elkport, and Katelyn Scherf, daughter of Jason and Courtney Scherf of St. Olaf. This marked the first time in over eight years with more than two queen candidates.
Hadley Howes, daughter of Josh and Amanda Howes of Monona, was named Little Miss Pigtails.
The General Store and More in Elkader was recognized with the Clayton County Pork Producers Restaurant Award. Monica Stence, owner of the General Store and More, has showcased Iowa pork products as part of her menu and specialty meat selection for nearly 11 years.
This year’s Appreciation Award, which honors a local individual or business that has made a contribution and difference for the pork producers of Clayton County, went to Ryan Rose and R&R Trucking. Rose was born into a family of truck drivers and, as a kid, could be found riding in the passenger seat of a semi with his dad, Jim, or working on local farms around Elgin. About 20 years ago, he started his own trucking company, and his success in transporting livestock has now grown to multiple trucks, trailers and employees that move hogs across Clayton County as well as lowa.
Amanda Meyer was honored as the Master Pork Producer, for her hard work and dedication to the pork industry. Meyer was raised on a hog and feeder cattle farm and has always been drawn to the hard work it takes to be in the livestock industry. She cares about raising a safe and good quality product for consumers, and custom raises wean to finish pigs in a 1,200-head barn for a local farmer in rural St. Olaf. Meyer enjoys the challenge of raising early nursery stage pigs, the ever changing bio security protocols, implementing new methods of care into practice and working with the great people in the pork industry. Her favorite part of raising pigs is having her kids, Jack and Jessa, work alongside her just like she did with her parents. When she is not caring for pigs, Meyer is actively helping her husband and brother in law on the farm in rural Monona.
Local youth who showed at the Clayton County Fair were also recognized at the banquet. That included Champion Derby Pen of Three: Cael Funk, Champion Derby Individual: Jenna Funk, Champion Non-Derby Individual: Nathaniel Gaul, Champion Non-Derby Pen of Three: Thea Bockenstedt and Champion Breeding Gilt: Amelya Weigand.
Hazen Loan, Madeline Harford and Tayler Martins were named 2021 scholarship award recipients, and each earned $750 toward furthering their educations. Hazen Loan is the son of Andy and Holly Loan of Elkader and is attending Iowa State University, majoring in agriculture systems technology. Madeline Harford is the daughter of Tony Harford and Olivia Timmerman from Strawberry Point and is attending Hawkeye Community College, majoring in animal science. Tayler Martins is the daughter of Jason and Jill Martins of Monona and is attending the University of Upper Iowa, majoring in agriculture business management.
