Each award is highlighted in the 2025 Minnesota Pork Congress magazine. Read the full magazine here.
The Minnesota Pork Board recognizes Mike Atzenhoefer as this year’s Swine Manager award recipient.
The Minnesota Pork Board recognizes Mike Atzenhoefer as this year’s Swine Manager award recipient.
Dedication to his team and his community sets Mike Atzenhoefer of Wakefield Pork apart as a leader in Minnesota’s pork industry. Known for his selfless “we” mindset and focus on collaboration, Atzenhoefer is recognized as Minnesota Pork’s 2025 Swine Manager of the Year for his tireless commitment to the people he works with, his expertise in pig management, and dedication to his community.
Growing with the Farm
Atzenhoefer’s journey into the pork industry began early in life. At a young age, his family moved to a farm near Trimont, Minnesota, and raised a small number of sows. After high school, Atzenhoefer initially attended Minnesota State University – Mankato to study accounting, but soon realized his passion was elsewhere. He transferred to the University of Minnesota – Waseca, where he pursued a degree in animal science, a much better fit. While there, he interned at a pig farm, marking the beginning of a lifelong career in the pork industry.
After college, Atzenhoefer worked in various roles across southern Minnesota farms, gaining hands-on experience in every stage of pig management. His skills reach every aspect of pig farming, from breeding and farrowing to wean-finish production. He also has experience in hiring, training, and keeping records to ensure success.
“Mike’s roles have varied, and you could say, ‘he’s done it all’”, stated Lincoln Langhorst, general manager at Wakefield Pork.
His career took a pivotal turn in 1994 when he met his future wife, Ann, who was an employee at Wakefield Pork. After some conversations between the two young professionals, an interview for Atzenhoefer was scheduled with Steve and Mary Langhorst, and everything fell into place. His first role was at the Langhorst ‘home farm’, where his work consisted of nursery and finishing duties. Recalling his early years, Atzenhoefer describes these as “the good old days,” when he gained a first-hand understanding of the demanding and rewarding work behind raising healthy pigs.
After some time, Atzenhoefer began managing sow production and was responsible for three employees. He later spent many years as a farrowing field supervisor, where he was responsible for multiple sow farms, regularly visiting each one to help improve production.
To this day in his current role as Head of Farrowing, Atzenhoefer does not hesitate to fill a void wherever it is needed.
“There are times I go to the farm and Mike is pressure washing – he’s just not afraid to help out wherever it’s needed,” noted Alison Eibs, human resources and recruitment specialist at Wakefield Pork.
Reflecting on his 30-year career thus far, Atzenhoefer shared, “What I love about this work is that no two days are the same, and there’s always something new to learn.”
His journey from overseeing a “handful of sows” growing up to overseeing all sows in the Wakefield Pork system speaks to his adaptability, resilience, and deep dedication to the pork industry.
Leading with a “We” Mindset
Atzenhoefer’s approach to leadership is rooted in empowering his team and fostering a collaborative environment. For him, effective management starts with building trust and guiding his team to make decisions independently.
“It’s always ‘we’ with Mike, it’s never ‘I’,” shared Neal Paszekiewicz, head of training and development at Wakefield Pork. “It’s never been about Mike; it’s always been about the team and the system he is a part of. I think it says a lot about his leadership. I can’t think of anybody else here more deserving of this [award] than Mike.”
His philosophy of always leading with the team in mind reflects his deep belief in shared responsibility and mutual respect.
“I’m not the type of manager who says, ‘Here’s the task, report back when you’re done.’ I want my team to think for themselves, bring solutions to the table, and grow in their roles,” Atzenhoefer explained.
Atzenhoefer encourages his team to come to him with potential solutions, allowing them to build confidence and problem-solving skills.
“If someone has a problem, I’ll help them with it. I may not give them the answer right away because I want them to think through it. Mistakes are fine – that’s how you learn,” Atzenhoefer stated.
Atzenhoefer’s collaborative spirit helps maintain a supportive culture at Wakefield Pork, where employees are encouraged to grow into new roles and take on greater responsibilities over time.
A Commitment to Health and Productivity
For Atzenhoefer, maintaining high health and productivity standards across multiple farms is both a priority and a daily commitment. With decades of experience, he knows the importance of setting clear goals and supporting his team to meet them. Part of his success lies in his focus on biosecurity and animal welfare, two critical components of pork production.
He ensures that each farm follows strict biosecurity protocols, with regular audits and meticulous checks on sow health and productivity. His management includes consistent monitoring, open communication with farm managers, and providing teams with the resources they need to keep pigs healthy and thriving.
As technology has transformed the pork industry, Atzenhoefer has embraced new systems that make managing health and productivity easier and more accurate.
“Back when I started, we had simple controllers. Today, controllers can be accessed on your phone, so we’re in constant contact with what’s happening,” he said.
Now, monitoring systems allow Atzenhoefer to oversee multiple farms remotely, keeping close tabs on any fluctuations in health or productivity and responding quickly to issues. This technology allows him to be proactive, ensuring each farm is set up for success and quickly addressing any challenges that arise.
“Do what is right for the sow, and she’ll pay you dividends in the long run,” he noted.
This approach has earned him respect from his colleagues, who see his commitment to excellence as an example to follow.
Serving the Community Beyond the Farm
Outside of his work in the pork industry, Atzenhoefer is deeply dedicated to his community. He and his wife, Ann, live in Lafayette, where they raised two children and now take pride in watching their children thrive in their careers.
“Being a role model for my kids and my community is important to me,” Atzenhoefer shared.
For 22 years, he has volunteered as an emergency medical technician (EMT), and is currently in his 18th year with the Lafayette Fire Department. His commitment to public service does not end there. He has also been an active member of the Lafayette Lions Club and frequently volunteers at local events.
One of his proudest contributions is his role on the local park and recreation board. He helped revive programs for local families and youth, providing opportunities for recreation that had been missing from the area for years.
His community involvement doesn’t just make an impact locally. It also sets an example for his coworkers.
“When employees see Mike volunteering, it makes them want to give back, too,” Eibs noted. This commitment to service reinforces a culture of responsibility and integrity that Atzenhoefer upholds both in and outside of his work, and it aligns completely with the values of Minnesota’s pork industry.
Looking to the Future
Reflecting on this award, Atzenhoefer is honored to be recognized for work that he finds both challenging and deeply fulfilling. For him, the future of the pork industry lies in embracing technological advances, enhancing animal well-being, and fostering the growth of his team.
“Ask questions, stay curious, and never think you know everything,” Atzenhoefer advises those just entering the field. “There’s always something new to learn, whether from a vet, a colleague, or just from watching the animals closely.”
Looking ahead, Atzenhoefer is excited about the continued evolution of the industry and the advancements in understanding animal behavior and needs.
“If you give pigs what they need, they’ll give you what you want in return,” he said.
When asked what winning the award means to him, a resounding “we” is again heard in Atzenhoefer’s response. “I’m sure there are a lot of people out there that earned this award just as much as myself. It’s nice to be recognized for the hard work and the commitment we have to the industry, to the company, and to the people,” Atzenhoefer humbly noted.
With his dedication to people, animals, and community, Mike Atzenhoefer exemplifies what it means to be a leader in swine management and the industry, setting a high standard for others to follow.
