HMG’s mission is to help our customers tell their stories. We have said – often – that it is essential to tell your own story because if you let someone else do it, you won’t like what you hear.
Recently, Barb had the opportunity to tell her story at two customer events. In May, she was the closing speaker at Novus’s Women in Swine Event held at Brixen Ivy Ranch near Galena, Illinois. During her presentation, Barb shared her passion for her family, farming, volunteering, and communicating. Then, in June, she was the keynote speaker for Farmers Coop Association’s Ladies Night in Thompson, Iowa, with a similar message for guests.
During her presentations, Barb talked about their fourth generation family farm and how the fifth generation is becoming actively involved and acknowledging the future will look very different. And, Barb emphasized, that different does not mean bad. The creative ways their family envisions the future includes hands-on participation in farm activities but that does not mean any of the members of the fifth generation will be full-time residents of Sac County.
As a lifelong volunteer in the pork industry, Barb has led two major organizations as president – the National Pork Producers Council and US Animal Health Association. Her interest and experience in these efforts were fueled by her desire to do everything possible to ensure pork farmers’ livelihoods, including her own. Along the way, Barb learned, nurtured relationships, and gained skills she employs everyday helping run the family farm business as well as HMG.
4-H played a central role in Barb’s upbringing and paved the way for her to be an ag major at the University of Illinois, one of the first gals to choose this path, as well as grow her communications and project skills. And now Barb has 43 years as a 4-H Club leader under her belt, continuing to elevate the program she counts as essential to her personal growth and development for generations of youth here. And look out, Johnson County, Kansas. Barb’s headed your way to help bring 4-H programming there to benefit not only her grandchildren but others in the area, too.
In all aspects of her life, Barb believes communication skills and focus were essential to her success. This includes the work she has done for HMG’s customers for 41 years as well as the other paths her life’s journey has followed.
We are here to help you tell your story!
HMG will be closed July 4 and 5 to celebrate our nation’s birthday and cherished independence. If needs arise over the holiday, contact Barb at 515-249-8460 or barb@teamhmg.com or Ann at 712-660-1152 or ann@teamhmg.com.
We wish you and yours a safe and celebratory holiday weekend!
We’re wishing Katie a happy, happy birthday on June 26! She’s home with baby Vance and her tribe yet on maternity leave and our best wishes are with her!
