Pork industry provides family legacy

SALEM — Family farms are staples in the Iowa agricultural community thanks to young men and women like Jacob Stukerjurgen.

Jacob graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 2019.

He left his family hog farm in Salem and headed to Iowa State University to study animal science.

However, before his senior year, Jacob’s father Jerry Stukerjurgen unexpectedly passed away June 10 from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.

Knowing he had always wanted to return to Salem after graduation, Jacob simply decided to return a year earlier follow in his father’s footsteps and continue his legacy.

Jerry deeply loved his family and community.

He spent much of his time watching his children play sports, volunteering, and growing Quality Plus Feeds and his family hog business.

According to Houghton Fire and Rescue, “he was a dedicated member and Emergency Medical Responder for more than 30 years, he also served as Chief for over 10 years.”

Additionally, he was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and Houghton Knights of Columbus.

Jerry enjoyed his role as a co-owner and manager at Quality Plus Feeds alongside growing his own family hog business.

With a devoted father like Jerry, farming, pigs, and family have always been the center of Jacob’s life.

Growing up, Jacob spend copious amounts of time with his dad learning about the feed industry and the family ween to feed swine barn.

“My favorite memories with my dad are on the farm,” Jacob said. “He taught me a lot of what I know today. He is the reason I pursued agriculture. I have big shoes to fill from losing him and that is my goal.”

He spent time with his dad as he worked, and he did his fair share of chores in the barn.

With a family so deeply ingrained in the agricultural industry, it was only natural for Jacob to participate in FFA and 4-H.

FFA was important enough to the Stukerjurgen family that Jacob even took a few classes at Central Lee High School so he could participate in a program before Mt. Pleasant High School re-established their own.

Currently, Jacob will finish a four-year degree in Agricultural Studies this December thanks to a change in major and scholarships like the $2,000 returning student scholarship from the Iowa Pork Producers.

“The biggest thing I gained from college is the relationships and networking with industry professionals,” Jacob said. “Building relationships with them is huge for continuing my career.”

As he finishes school, however, Jacob is also taking on his father’s job in grain merchandising and ingredient procurement with Quality Plus Feeds and overseeing the family hog operation.

“My dad taught me everything from vaccinating, to maintenance on barns, marketing the pigs, and feed ordering,” Jacob said.

When given the opportunity, Jacob enjoys traveling, and his most recent trip to studying abroad in Greece, encourages his current path in life.

“It makes you respect the Midwest a lot more after seeing a lot of different cultures,” he said. “I just enjoy the culture we have here, the people involved, and the farming communities.”

“This Agriculture Community is a really good community,” he said.

With the Salem area agriculture community, is mother Amie and sister Jena, Jacob continues to build confident on his journey honoring his father’s legacy.

“My goal is to stay in the feed mill and hog industry business for the rest of my life,” Jacob said.

Jerry Stukerjurgen will be remembered in Jacob’s work alongside memorials made in Jerry’s memory to Lee County Fair 4-H and FFA Livestock Programs, St. John’s Catholic Church and Houghton Fire and Rescue.

“My father was very supportive to my mother, my sister, and I,” Jacob said. “He was my role model and taught me how to treat your wife, kids, employees, and people.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com