[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 162 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO THE VAN GELDER FAMILY IN THE SECOND SESSION OF THE 114TH 
                                CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID YOUNG

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate The Van Gelder Family of Creston, Iowa, for being honored 
with the Pork All-American Award from the Iowa Pork Producers 
Association (IPPA).
  Since 1970, the All-American Award is the highest honor of the Iowa 
Pork Producers Association awards, requiring the producer to be under 
the age of 40 and recognized as a Master Pork Producer. Brad Van Gelder 
and his wife, Terri, have operated their 4,000-head operation for 17 
years, currently serving 50 local barns. They apply 14 million gallons 
of manure annually to customers through his manure application 
business. The wean-to-finish operation prides itself on providing a 
comfortable, ventilated environment for the pigs, as well as a high 
level of bio-security for the health of the pigs and the employees who 
oversee them. The Van Gelder family is committed to conservation, using 
low disturbance application toolbars on their manure equipment, and 
maintaining a majority of their 820 row crops acres as no-till.
  The Van Gelders are equally active in their community. With their two 
daughters, Alison and Morgan, they keep busy through their involvement 
in church, school, 4-H, the Union County Pork Producers, IPPA Youth 
Committee, as well as the Iowa Pork Tent Committee at the Iowa State 
Fair. Brad also serves as the Union County Fair Board President with 
his daughters showing cattle each year.
  I congratulate the Van Gelders on earning this coveted award and for 
their dedication and commitment to Iowa agriculture. Their efforts 
embody the Iowa spirit and I am honored to represent them in the United 
States Congress. I urge my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating the Brad and Terri Van 
Gelder family.

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