Biography
Current NPB Member Dale Stevermer manages Trails End Farm, a contract feeder-to-finish, marketing 5,000 head per year through Compart Family Farms and their premium Duroc Pork markets. His family’s 500-acre row crop operation uses no-till and cover crop practices, in addition to investing in a solar array to offset their farm’s annual electrical usage.
Stevermer is active with the USDA Climate Smart Commodity grant. Because of his involvement in sharing the industry’s commitment to sustainability, he notably presented at the G7 Agricultural Ministers Conference held in Miyazaki, Japan in April 2023. Stevermer has been a longtime promoter of pork at community outreach events during the Minnesota State Fair, marathon expos and professional and collegiate athletic events. In 2019, his family was awarded the Minnesota Pork Promoter of the Year award. Outside of the industry, he has nine years of volunteer experience with his local school board, with six of those years serving as chair.
Nominating Committee Comments
National Pork Board and Industry Knowledge
As an incumbent, Stevermer mentioned and is involved in the current Checkoff-funded projects and specific programs like the Pork Cares Farm Impact Reports and USDA Climate Smart Commodities grant. He talked about sustainability as one of the top three issues, yet clearly spoke about survivability and how he has strategically taken measures to reduce risk to his operation. His historical perspective is very valuable, especially with a board of directors and officer team with less experience due to transitions in recent years.
Leadership, Communication, Attitude and Passion
Stevermer is a conscientious and humble board member. He understands the time commitment and family sacrifice. Thus, he is also dedicated to championing U.S. Pork sustainability, like participating in a promotional video and traveling to Japan to talk to importers at the G7 Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting. During this global presentation, Dale shared Trails End Farm’s commitment to sustainably producing high-quality pork using their Pork Cares Farm Impact Report as proof.