Minnesota Pork Awards
Each year, Minnesota Pork offers awards to honor the hard work of leaders who have dedicated time and energy to bettering the Minnesota pork industry.
2026 nominations will open in August 2025.
View the 2025 winners below.
Distinguished Service
Lee Johnston
Lee Johnston’s commitment to agriculture, advancing research, and mentoring future leaders has earned him the Minnesota Pork Distinguished Service Award. His journey from a dairy farm in Pennsylvania to becoming a respected expert in the pork industry highlights a career marked by curiosity, commitment, and passion.
Environmental Stewards
Dave and Tracie Mensink
Environmentally minded, humble, and grateful describes the 2025 Minnesota Pork Board Environmental Stewards of the Year, Dave and Tracie Mensink. Their determination to do the right thing and willingness to make decisions to improve their farm’s sustainability for the next generation is inspiring, deserving to be shared.
Family of the
Year
Anderson Family
Pride for what came before them and a desire to continue the legacy centers the work of the Anderson Family and Anderson Farms of Belgrade, Minnesota.
Legislator of Distinction
Sen. Nick Frentz
For Senator Nick Frentz, serving his district and supporting agriculture are deeply personal missions. As the recipient of the 2025 Legislator of Distinction award, Sen. Frentz’s commitment to pork producers and agriculture shines through his legislative work and his pride in representing a vibrant, diverse district.
Pork Promoter of the Year
Myrna Welter
An unwavering passion for pigs and people can describe Myrna Welter’s lifelong pork promotion efforts. Although for her, promoting pork does not take effort, as her dedication and love of the industry permeates every aspect of her life. Her unyielding enthusiasm and decades-long commitment to promoting pork make her a natural and deserving recipient of the 2025 Minnesota Pork Promoter of the Year award.
Swine Manager of the Year
