Washington County pig farmer Matt Gent is the new president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). He took over the role during the organization’s annual meeting in Des Moines on January 23. Gent and his family own a farrow-to-finish swine enterprise called Prairie Pork near Wellman. They also grow corn and soybeans.
“I look forward to representing Iowa pork producers while addressing the challenges and opportunities we face in the upcoming year,” Gent said. “Each year brings new opportunities to share our story, to stren gthen our domestic and international relationships, and to share our commitment to grow rural Iowa. “
Gent served as IPPA’s president-elect in 2023. He replaces Trish Cook of Winthrop, who now holds the position of past president on the IPPA Board of Directors. Cook was the first female president in IPPA’s history. Gent praised Cook for her leadership during a very difficult year for pork producers. Both Gent and Cook will serve one-year terms in their new roles.
“It is no secret that our industry is changing and as an organization we need to adapt to the needs of our producers and consumers,” Gent added. “There is no doubt we have our work cut out for us this coming year.”
Matt Gent joined the IPPA Board of Directors in 2018. He was named a Master Pork Producer in 2015 and has served as an IPPA delegate to the National Pork Forum. At the local level, Gent has served on the Washington County Pork Producers Board of Directors since 2010, including stints as president and vice president. He is also a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Gent has an agriculture business degree from Kirkwood Community College.
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