SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has named the Leman Family of Eureka as the 2026 IPPA Family of the Year, recognizing decades of leadership, pork promotion, and long-term commitment to Illinois pig farming.
Leman Farms Inc., a third-generation, family-owned swine and grain operation near Eureka, produces corn, soybeans, and seed beans while marketing approximately 120,000 hogs annually. The operation reflects the evolution of modern pork production, transitioning from a diversified livestock farm into a highly efficient, swine-focused enterprise with farrow-to-finish production, advanced biosecurity protocols, and strategic growth planning.
The farm’s roots date back to 1948 when Vernon Leman established the family homestead. In the early 1980s, Keith Leman expanded into pork production, building farrowing, gestation, nursery, and finishing barns that laid the groundwork for today’s operation. That early investment in livestock care, combined with a strong foundation of faith and work ethic, positioned the farm for generational success.
Today, Chad Leman serves as president of Leman Farms Inc., leading the business with a focus on grain marketing, risk management, labor strategy, and operational efficiency. His wife, Staci, oversees financial management, payroll, and accounting — key components in today’s data-driven pork industry. Their daughter, Tessa, has returned to the farm and plays a growing role in agronomic planning and human resources, underscoring the importance of succession planning in modern agriculture.
The operation also relies on long-term employees, contract growers, manure nutrient management partnerships, and access to foreign labor — all critical factors shaping the future of pork production in Illinois and across the U.S.
Beyond the farm gate, Chad Leman served as president of IPPA in 2023, advocating for pork producers on key issues including labor shortages, California Proposition 12 impacts, and federal policy discussions in Washington, D.C., alongside partners like the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board.
The Illinois pork industry contributes more than $13.8 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports over 57,000 jobs, reinforcing the essential role of farm families like the Lemans in sustaining rural communities and the broader agricultural economy.
For those searching leadership in agriculture, swine management strategies, hog barn expansion, succession planning, and Illinois pork industry updates, the Leman Family story highlights what long-term commitment to pig farming truly looks like.
I’m Rachel Fishback with Pork Industry News — in case you missed it.