2023 Award Winners PORK INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE Awards

The Ohio Pork Industry Excellence Award is presented to a pork farmer, or farm family, for their willingness to go above-and-beyond to donate time, money, and talents on behalf of the industry. This year, the Ohio Pork Council is pleased to recognize Wendell Waters for his contributions to the pork industry – both at a state and national level.

Wendell is known across the state of Ohio for his dedication and continued advocacy for the agricultural industry. It can easily be agreed upon that he has truly changed the face of Ohio agriculture over the years.

Wendell began his career as a vocational agriculture teacher at Ridgewood Local Schools, and later formed WenMar Farms Inc. with his wife Marcia. Today, WenMar Farms Inc. consists of 4,000 acres of corn and soybeans, and a 3,600-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation.

Along with WenMar Farms Inc., Waters is known for playing a key role in the development of the PGI Group in 1994. The PGI Group was a coalition of pig farmers that lowered costs through standardized genetics, jointly marketing animals to increase market prices, and sharing practices that helped to make advancements in the pork industry. Wendell has been a true champion of Ohio agriculture and the Ohio pork industry for more than 50 years and has always given his all to helping advance the industry.

Wendell and his family reside in West Lafayette, Ohio, where they can still be found immersed in Ohio agriculture.

Congratulations, Wendell!