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2025 Swine Web Hall of Fame Inductees: Honoring the Vision and Dedication of Jeff Hansen and Tommy Herring

Published: Dec 06, 2024

Swine Web is honored to announce the 2025 inductees into the Swine Web Hall of Fame: Jeff Hansen, founder of Iowa Select Farms, and Tommy Herring, President of TDM Farms and Hog Slat. Both have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation, driving the swine industry forward while maintaining strong connections to their communities and families.

Jeff Hansen: A Visionary Leader for Iowa Select Farms

Jeff Hansen, the founder and owner of Iowa Select Farms, has become the largest family-owned pork producer in the United States, overseeing more than 800 farms and employing over 1,200 people in the state of Iowa. Hansen’s vision extends beyond numbers and production; his focus on sustainability, innovation, and community engagement has defined the company’s success.

A cornerstone of Hansen’s legacy is the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, which supports hunger relief and family health initiatives throughout Iowa. Reflecting on his induction into the Hall of Fame, Hansen humbly stated, “For me, it’s about giving back—whether to our community, our employees, or to Iowa agriculture. Iowa Select Farms is not just a business, it’s a responsibility to improve the lives of those around us.”

Hansen’s dedication to technological advancement, animal welfare, and supporting rural Iowa has positioned him as a transformative figure in the pork industry. His approach to sustainable farming, along with a deep-rooted connection to the land and people of Iowa, continues to inspire new generations of producers.

Tommy Herring: Leading Innovation at TDM Farms and Hog Slat

Tommy Herring, President of TDM Farms and Hog Slat, has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing swine production and agricultural equipment manufacturing. Following in the footsteps of his father, Billy Herring, and working alongside his brothers, David and Mark, Hog Slat has grown from a small family business into the largest hog equipment manufacturer and contractor in the U.S., providing turnkey construction for hog and poultry farms worldwide.

At TDM Farms, which operates across several states with a sow herd of 35,000 and production of over 800,000 market hogs annually, Tommy, together with his family, focuses on innovation and efficiency. Through their family-owned farm, the team tests new products and processes to meet producers’ evolving needs, driving continuous improvements in equipment and farm operations.

“Everything we do is about improving the future of farming,” Herring said. “Our family’s experience raising hogs and commitment to testing help us design better equipment and build more efficient, sustainable farms.”

Herring’s leadership, deeply rooted in the family’s values, continues to shape the swine industry, advancing production methods and innovative solutions for producers globally.

Celebrating Their Legacies

The Swine Web Hall of Fame exists to honor those who have shaped the swine industry, not just through business success but through their commitment to progress and people. Jeff Hansen and Tommy Herring embody this ideal, each with a unique story of innovation, family values, and dedication to advancing the industry.

For more information about the 2025 Swine Web Hall of Fame and to learn about previous inductees, visit Swine Hall of Fame.