When Steve Determan met Barb Campbell at the American Pork Congress in Kansas City in March of 1981, it didn’t take him long to decide she was the one he wanted to marry.
“I was working for Smith Kline as a sales representative and Steve was a pork producer from Early, Iowa,” Barb explains. “Steve and his feed dealer were looking for the rep who covered the territory because of a product trial they were running.”
A convenient excuse to start a conversation? Maybe. But it worked. Steve sent her flowers the following week and the rest is history.
Steve and Barb got married on Sept. 26, 1981, in Little York, Ill., where Barb grew up on a family farming operation.
“Both of us were passionate about the industry at the county level and from there it grew,” Barb says. “Steve supported me in all the state and national committees, offices and activities from then on.”
As a former National Pork Producers Council president and president of Heartland Marketing Group, Barb travels a lot in her work for the pork industry. Although Steve often stays home to run the farm in Early, Iowa, he enjoys traveling with her when he can.
“I admire Barb’s passion for agriculture and still caring about our community and our family,” Steve says. “We work together and understand the ups and downs of ag (remember the 1980s!) and a small business.”
Steve has farmed for over 50 years. They raised pigs for many years but are entirely focused on grain farming now. When he’s not busy on the farm, he does the accounting for the farm and Heartland Marketing Group.
“I really appreciate Steve’s support of all my responsibilities and travel for the pork industry, my business and our family,” she says. “He wears many hats in our operations and family. He’s the organizer, keeps all the machinery going and is the sports booster for everyone.”
It’s that special teamwork they share that allows them to experience so much joy in life.
“Our family, community (especially 4-H and the youth), faith and the pork industry have been our focus through our almost 44 years of marriage,” Steve says.
Keep reading our #porklovestories series: Larry and Tammy Brink: A County Fair Love Story
