Enthusiasm. Optimism. Energy. It’s not hard to see those three traits in the newly elected 2025 president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. For Aaron Juergens of Carroll, Iowa, the opportunity to lead the largest pork producing state’s association is an honor and privilege that he’s looking forward to in the year ahead.
Growing up on a diversified agriculture operation has allowed Juergens to achieve a unique industry perspective. In the 1940s, his grandpa started buying fur, cream and eggs with one of his cousins. This eventually turned into a company called Juergens Produce and Feed. They sold feed through Purina, added a trucking operation and got into beef and pork production.
Juergens and his father were the start of the farrow-to-finish pork operation, he says. Growing up watching the swine farm evolve, he vividly remembers the transitions from outside huts to indoor production. This has helped him gain an even greater appreciation for the changes that have taken place in the pork industry and that are ahead.
“It’s incredible to think back to what my grandfather has done since the 1940s and all the things that have changed. I look at my 8-year-old son and wonder about the changes he will see in his lifetime,” Juergens says. “We’ve got to keep changing with open arms. We have faced many challenges and prevailed. We will face more, and we will keep prevailing.”
Today, Juergens manages nursery and finishing pig spaces throughout Iowa. In addition to contract production, he offers other services from labor solutions to loading. He and his wife, Chelsey, have two children ages 8 and 4. Being active in his community is a priority and brings greater meaning to his life, he says. He’s been part of the Carroll Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and the board for New Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting adults with disabilities.
Juergens is excited to give back to the pork industry in this role as president and is grateful for the leadership of former president Matt Gent from Wellman, Iowa.
“Matt did an outstanding job guiding us through a tough year, and I hope to build on his success,” Juergens says. “2025 looks promising, and I’m optimistic about a great year ahead for Iowa pork producers.”
Farm Journal’s PORK met up with Juergens during the Iowa Pork Congress to find out more about IPPA’s new leader. From what you can expect from Juergens as president to how he is focusing his goals in the year ahead, he shares his thoughts on a variety of topics.
Q. Why did you decide to step up to this challenge?
A. More than 10 years ago, I was part of Pork Leadership Institute (PLI). I keep in contact with several members of my class. There’s no doubt our lives have changed a lot since then, but the common denominator is we’ve all taken on bigger leadership positions. The program propelled us to better things. For me, I was encouraged to be on committees, then chaired committees, and eventually got into even more involved committees and here I am.
Q. What kind of leader are people getting?
A. I’m a good cheerleader. My goal is to keep things rocking and rolling. I don’t want to reinvent anything – we have a lot of good things going on. I believe some of my strengths will be following up and pushing through current initiatives we have such as foreign animal disease preparedness, demand and sustainability projects.
Q. What’s one thing people may not know about you?
A. I get excited about fitness. I used to be a mountain climber. I love skiing. It’s not uncommon to see me walking around town to get my exercise in. Every day I get up ready to rock and roll. To me, being fit and eating good food is part of living a good life.
Q. There have been a lot of pork victories lately, what stands out as the biggest one in your mind?
A. Everyone is looking forward to getting a farm bill through. We have a clear path forward, and getting that language put into the farm bill to where we could get a Prop 12 fix and some clarity going forward would be great. To me, having that framework laid out is a win.
Q. If you could only accomplish one thing this year, what would it be and why?
A. More clarity for long-term, stable demand. Everyone is working hard on it – making sure we have a stable path going forward domestically is important to our industry.
Q. What do you like to do for fun?
A. I love my work. But when I’m not working, I enjoy tiptoeing around youth sports and coaching my young kids. I also love traveling and seeing the mountains. We love visiting state parks, camping, fishing, hiking, skiing and exploring Iowa. There’s a hidden gem in every county – everywhere you go in Iowa is great.
Q. This is not an easy job for a busy person – how will you fit it all in?
A. Surround yourself with good people –family, coworkers, staff who will help keep me organized and help me through. Busy people get things done. It takes prioritization and hard work. I’ve been overwhelmed by how many people have reached out to ask how they can help me this year – that says a lot about this industry. When you have something good going on, others want to help out and be a part of it. It takes a team.
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