South Dakota Pork Producers Council selects Petriks as Family of the Year

The South Dakota Pork Producers Council recently recognized the Jim Petrik Family with the Family of the Year Award during the Master Pork Producers Banquet.

The award was created to honor a pork-producing family who has contributed to the long-term success of the industry through leadership and pork promotion on the local, state or/and national level.

Jim and Sharon Petrik operate a family farm north of Gayville, South Dakota. Pork production has always been a part of the family farm and, though the operation has evolved over time, it continues to be a big piece of the pie at Petrik Farms along with cattle and crops.

The Petriks have also raised four children at the farm—Ryan, Allison, Chase and Olivia. All the kids have been actively involved in the farming operation and especially the hog business. From iron shots and AI to ear notching, loading and delivering, the family has many memories of the fun times and the challenging ones. The kids have all been active swine showman in the 4H area as well, showing animals that they have helped raise from birth.

The Petriks have been very involved over the years at many levels in Pork organizations. Jim has been on the board of directors of the SDPPC, Pork America and the American Berkshire Association well as other pork related boards and task forces. Sharon and Allison are both great advocates for modern agriculture and technology on social media and the Petrik’s have donated many hogs and BBQ packages for fundraisers all across the Midwest. The pork business has been good to the Petriks but Jim says the best part of the industry is the people and the many friendships they have developed over the years.