At Reicks View Farms family comes first. We believe that working together as a family is what helps us strive to get better each day and stands us apart from the rest.
Families Feeding Families
Reicks View Farms was founded by Dale and Laura Reicks in 1979 near the small town of Jerico, Iowa. As 5th generation pork producers, they began with 240 acres of corn along with 200 sows. Today, Reicks View Farms prides itself on being a family farm. Dale and Laura, their children, Brady and Kaylie, along with over 300 employees and 130 production partners continue to farm corn as well as produce top quality pork.
Rebuilding our Home Farm
Master Pork Producer – Aubrey Vorwald
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Leadership in Community – The Mighty Howard County Fair
For the past 10 years, people and organziations that show excellence in agriculture have been honored as Iowa Agriculture Leaders. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stweardship hosted a dinner in Ankeny, which Dale and Laura Reicks attended with employee Tim Sadler.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has also recognized the Mighty County Fair as an Ag Leader.
The Mighty Howard County Fair in 2015 established the Reicks View Ag Education Center, a 22,900 square foot livestock facility located on the Howard County Fairgrounds in Cresco, Iowa. The Center includes a unique educational facility focused on teaching area youth about swine production while providing them the opportunity to show pigs at the fair. For three months before the Fair, any 4-H & FFA member can raise their pigs in the swine production area of the center, making the opportunity available to more students.
“The industry was changing and our community was changing,” said Sue Barnes, Howard County Extension Service office manager. “As the number of town kids was increasing, the number of farms kids was decreasing. To keep kids engaged in the agriculture industry, we knew we had to do something new and different.”
Reicks View Ag Education Center
Tim sadler named 2021 Master pork producer
Reicks View Farms’ very own, Tim Sadler was named a 2021 Master Pork Producer through the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Tim has been an employee with Reicks View Farms for approximately five years. He first started working at Reicks View Farms as a Swine Production Intern. Once he graduated from Iowa State University, he came back to Reicks View Farms full-time.
Tim started working as Farrowing Department Head at one of Reicks View Farms sow units. Two years later, he was promoted to a Finishing Supervisor where he oversees an average of 20 contract growers.
Every pig counts
While growing up on a family farm, it didn’t take long for Jason Ludwig to grow a passion for farming. Jason grew up working alongside his dad and uncle growing crops and raising livestock. His passion for agriculture has now evolved into being a production grower for Reicks View Farms and running his family’s farm.
“Being a grower is rewarding because I can work with my family to care for the pigs,” said Jason. “My son helps me actively and being able to teach him about animal husbandry at a young age is a neat experience.” Jason has been a grower for Reicks View Farms for over five years.
In 2020, Jason was awarded the first Reicks View Farms Grower of the Year Award; honoring one grower who had gone above and beyond. Jason works closely with his caretaker, Dave Gossman. As a team, they work to ensure they are giving their best care to the pigs. Jason credits Dave for their great teamwork as it takes clear communication to overcome challenges.
“They put Reicks View Farms as their number one priority to care of the pigs each day,” said Brandon Hummel, Head of Finishing. “They look at their pigs like it’s their own pigs and you can see that when you walk in the barns.” At Reicks View Farms, every pig counts.
Working hard through covid-19
As processing plants were closed and are re-opnening from the impact of COVID-19, challenges have arise for hog producers across the country.
“When Tyson Foods in Waterloo, which is where about 70% of our hogs go, shut down that was difficult for us,” Brady Reicks said. “Human safety is always first, but we also have animals that have to go somewhere at some point.”
Difficult times leads to stronger communities
Raising their own
One thing Iowans know, if you want to make a good pork tenderloin sandwich, you better start wtih good meat. At The Pub at the Pinicon in New Hampton, winners of the 2019 Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in Iowa contest, they know their pork quality is high becasue they raised it themselves.
Today, the Reicks View Farms family raises approximately 1.5 million market hogs annually, contracts with more than 100 finishing barns, many built by the Reicks’ own construction copmany, all in northeast Iowa. They employ about 325 people across the businesses and grow row crops on more than 10,000 acres.
A lot of what we do is aimed at keeping opportunities available in rural Iowa, especially for young people,” Brady said. “We build our own barns, hire local contractors for that, and work with local farmers to raise our hogs.”
The Pub at the Pinicon awarded 2019's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in Iowa!
The Pub at the Pinicon Restaurant in New Hampton, IA was awarded the 2019 Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in Iowa. The Pork Tenderloin includes a half pound of center cut, pork tenderloin, seasoned, and cooked to perfection. Dale and Laura Reicks own The Pub at the Pinicon and source all pork locally from Reicks View Farms.
“Knowing how important the pork industry is in Iowa and knowing how much Iowans love a good pork tenderloin, this is a badge of honor for our restaurant,” said Phil Zwanziger, manager of The Pub. Click below to read more about The Pub at the Pinicon and the Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in Iowa!
reicks view farms raises $75,000 for veterans in need!
No veteran should be left behind. That is the mission behind the organization of the Family Alliance for Veterans of America (FAVA). FAVA helps veterans and their families in critical times of need by providing assistance, support, information, and education.
When Reicks View Farms heard how FAVA was in need of help, they quickly jumped on it. They had decided to host the 1st Annual Flag Day Fundraiser on Friday, June 14th at The Pub in New Hampton, IA to raise money or local veterans in need. The 1st Annual Flag Day Fundraiser ended up being a huge success with raising $75,000! Reicks View Farms is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be able to give back to the veterans who served our country proudly, and for all the sponsors that helped contribute that made the event possible.
U.S. pork industry to show We Care even more in 2019
For decades, the U.S. pork industry has recognized the importance of advancing responsible production practices to keep pace with the changing marketplace. During 2018, a We Care task force, comprised of leaders from across the industry, was formed to provide guidance to the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council boards of directors on advancing the industry’s decade-long commitment to the We Care ethical principles as the sustainability platform for U.S. pig production.
20 Years of Partnerships
Reicks View Farms was founded in 1979 by Dale and Laura Reicks. 40 years today, we wouldn’t be where we are without the vital partnership of contract growers. Thank you to Bruce Buchheit, Roger & Diane Reicks, and Ron Maher for your 20 years of service and for helping produce high quality meat for families across rural America.
Pictured from left to right: Bruce Buchheit, Barry Reicks (son of Roger and Diane Reicks), Dale Reicks, Matt Maher and Jared Maher (sons of Ron Maher).