The Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) named its new directors at its 2023 annual meeting. In addition to reconfirming Justin Hankins of Omaha as first alternate, NPPA chose Austin Zimmerman of Wymore and Josh Wendt of Leigh to serve two-year terms.
“I am very pleased that you have decided to accept a position on our board and look forward to working with you as we ensure continued opportunities and success for Nebraska’s pork farmers,” said Mark Wright, NPPA president, in a release.
- Austin Zimmerman
Zimmerman lives on a farm near Wymore with his wife, Teri, and son. He is part of Zimmerman Hog Farms, located just west of Beatrice. The Zimmermans have a specialized pig operation, raising exhibition and breeding stock. Zimmerman started showing pigs at a young age and is still very involved in the show pig industry. He also serves as the general manager for Midwest Livestock Systems.
- Josh Wendt
Wendt is a third-generation livestock farmer from Leigh. He and his wife, Ally, have two boys. He has been involved with livestock and raising pigs his entire life. Currently Wendt is involved in the family farming operation where they raise pigs, feed cattle, have a cow-calf operation and farm row crops. He is excited to join the NPPA Board and become more involved in the pork industry.
- Justin Hankins
Hankins is a credit analyst at Farm Credit Services of America, specializing in the Agribusiness Capital Swine & Beef Division of the company, with over 15 years in the banking and finance world. His education at the University of Nebraska--Kearney includes a bachelor’s degree in business administration with emphasis in management and a minor in economics. He also attended the Iowa State University School of Ag Banking.
NPPA thanked retiring director Aaron Doerr of Creighton. Doerr comes from a distinguished line of pork producers and will be greatly missed as a director, NPPA noted.
“We extend our best wishes and future success to Aaron,” Wright said.
