Why Niman Ranch supports independent family farms and ranchesNiman Ranch works with traditional and sustainable U.S. farms and ranches. Our Farmers are dedicated to the welfare of their farm animals.
We believe that supporting America's independant farmers and ranchers is vital to our nation's future. People who own the land they're working and living on have a greater stake in protecting the long term health of their land and the welfare of their animals than absentee industrial operators.
By working with family farms and ranches, we are helping to strengthen rural America and reverse the destructive trend of industrial agriculture. In addition to providing a market for livestock, the Niman Ranch network provides a mechanism for farmers and ranchers to communicate and learn from one another about best practices for their animals and land.
We are inspired by and proud of the families that are part of Niman Ranch - many of whom are second generation partners in our network. Family farmers and ranchers are the keepers of traditional farming knowledge, information that is vital to protect and pass on to future generations.
Meet Niman Ranch family farmer Chad Ingels
Iowa
Raising hogs has been a tradition in the Ingels family for many generations. Today,
Chad and Tammy Ingels of Northeast Iowa proudly raise pigs on the same farm that Chad's great-grandparents moved to in 1929.
Chad began farming soon after graduating from Iowa State University in 1991. It was during the 90's, that he became determined to find a way to add value to his hog enterprise. With consumers paying more attention to quality pork, he chose to begin raising Berkshire hogs, famous for producing remarkably tender, juicy, and flavorful pork. Chad fit right in as a
Niman Ranch Farmer in 2001, where he now markets approximately 200-300 hogs per year. The Ingels family also raises Berkshire boars, which he markets to many other
Niman Ranch farmers. His hard work and careful selection has paid off. In 2006, Chad and Tammy were recognized for producing the
Best Quality Pork of the Year at the 2006 Niman Ranch Farmer Appreciation Dinner.
Conserving our soils and water quality is one of Chad's passions. When he is not working on the family farm, Chad is employed with Iowa State University Extension as a Manure and Nutrient Management Specialist. Here, he consults with farmers on how to responsibly apply manure to their fields to benefit from the nutrients while preventing the pollution of the water supply.
Chad enjoys farming because it gives him the opportunity and freedom to be his own decision maker. He likes working outside in the fresh air, and even though farming this way is a lot of hard work, he feels that raising pigs is the most enjoyable part of his operation. It's an occupation that the entire family can be a part of and he is trying to pass on his enthusiasm for pigs to his children. Today, their two children are actively involved in 4-H where they take care of and show pigs. Maybe one day they will take over the family farm and carry on the tradition!