Posted on August 19, 2019 at 11:44 AM by Global Reach
Leon Sheets is a pork producer from Chickasaw County. He has been producing pork for 39 years operating a wean to finish operation that produces 33,000 hogs per year. He also farms 600 acres of corn, soybeans, and hay. 
Leon was an 8 year member of the Orthel Eagles 4-H Club in Hancock County. During his years in 4-H he served as club president, secretary, reporter, and county secretary. He was also on the County 4-H Council. He carried projects in swine, beef, dairy, poultry, garden, welding, wood working, and electricity.
Leon attended district 4-H camp, state 4-H conference, and state leadership camp. He attended the Chicago Youth Awards Trip in 1971. He served as the livestock judging superintendent in Chickasaw County for 21 years. He has been the recipient of the meritorious service to 4-H award.
Leon and his family, wife Barbara, son Jarrod, and daughter Justina were awarded the Outstanding 4-H Family in 2004. He has been a long time donor to 4-H and also donates several plaques each year at the county fair. Leon served on the Chickasaw County Extension Council for 8 years and has also been a member of the 4-H Youth Committee.
Leon is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a B.S. in Animal Science. Leon has been very active in pork production on the county, state, and national levels. He is a past president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and served on multiple committees on the state and national levels. He is a Master Pork Producer and was inducted into the Feeder Pig Hall of Fame. He also received the state Hog Wild Award for his tireless promotion of pork. He has traveled on trade missions to many foreign countries. In 2017 the Leon and Barb Sheets family were recipients of the Iowa Environmental Award and the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. Leon was named the 2017 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year by the National Pork Board.
Leon is a tireless ball of energy when it comes to promoting pigs, but he’s just as passionate about promoting farm safety, since he was seriously burned from a methane gas explosion in 2014. Because of the methane gas explosion, Leon has spoken to multiple groups including 4-H Farm Safety Day Camps.
In his spare time, Leon participates in his church choir. He also serves as a certified lay speaker and business chairperson of Republic Community Church.
