Iowa Select Farms

We’re expanding our Repair and Maintenance team across multiple locations in Iowa and are looking for skilled technicians to join us in Central, Western, Southern, and Northern Iowa areas! Competitive starting pay of $25.50 per hour! We are currently hiring for different maintenance levels to support our farms: - Maintenance I technicians will be assigned to one or two nearby farms, handling daily repairs and routine maintenance. - Maintenance II technicians will take on more advanced responsibilities, including electrical work, troubleshooting, and helping train other team members. This position also includes a company vehicle. - Maintenance Technicians (Wean-to-Finish) will focus on facility upkeep and repairs at WTF (wean-to-finish) farms. Qualified candidates should have knowledge of general construction methods, including plumbing, electrical, and welding. Earn $25.50 an hour, along with affordable and comprehensive benefits through Iowa Select Farms, including 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, and more. Interested? Simply click the link below! If you have additional questions, message us on LinkedIn, contact us at 641-648-4479, or email us at jobs@iowaselect.com. Job Openings: https://lnkd.in/gbesNupc

The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation is proud to announce the first recipient of its new Freeze Out Hunger program: the Humeston-Garden Grove Food Pantry. A sister program to the Foundation’s flagship Haul Out Hunger program, which delivers ground pork to food pantries each summer, Freeze Out Hunger is designed to support new food pantries in rural Iowa by providing freezers to help establish the infrastructure needed to serve their communities. A freezer allows food pantries to safely store and distribute a wider variety of nutritious foods, including proteins, bread, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. This resource strengthens their ability to provide more complete and nutritious food options for families facing food insecurity. The Humeston-Garden Grove Food Pantry officially opened its doors in March 2026 and is already serving 70 families each month. Operated entirely through donations, the pantry relies on community support to meet the significant needs of the families it serves. "The addition of this new freezer is a game changer for our operations. It allows us to safely store and distribute high-quality food, ensuring that the families we serve have access to nutritious meals," said Amy Peplinski, Chairperson of the Humeston-Garden Grove Food Pantry. "This donation provides a critical foundation for our infrastructure, allowing us to expand our capacity for frozen food. The impact of this equipment on our ability to combat food insecurity in our community cannot be overstated." The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation is honored to partner with new food pantries as they build the resources necessary to address food insecurity in our Homegrown Iowa communities. Through Freeze Out Hunger, the Foundation is helping create stronger, more sustainable food access systems—one freezer at a time.

Iowa Select Farms is continuing to invest in workforce development through its welding internship program, in partnership with Ellsworth Community College (ECC), creating hands-on opportunities for students while helping strengthen the company’s long-term talent pipeline. Leaders from both Iowa Select and ECC said the partnership has provided students with valuable real-world experience while exposing them to career opportunities within agriculture and maintenance operations. The partnership began after conversations between Iowa Select leaders and ECC staff about ways to connect students with industry experience. “I believe it is our responsibility to promote and recruit students into animal agriculture,” Kerry Sweeney, Vice President of Human Resources, said. “Ellsworth Community College has a strong agricultural program that sits in our backyard, so the connection became obvious.” Sweeney said internships allow students to better understand workplace expectations while giving Iowa Select an opportunity to showcase careers within the company. “Structured internship programs give students the opportunity to see what the ‘real world’ looks like and what it takes to be successful,” she said. ECC leaders said the value of the program comes from giving students practical, hands-on experience outside the classroom. “Finding local opportunities for internships for our welding students is imperative because internships help students apply what they've learned in the classroom and in the welding lab,” Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Honoria Balogh said. “There is nothing more valuable in the career and technical education world than true hands-on experience where students can solve real-life problems and immediately see their positive impact in the workplace.” The first year of the program has already produced positive results, including the transition of intern Jayden into a full-time role with Iowa Select Farms. “This has been a big win for our team on a lot of levels,” Dan Childs, Director of Maintenance, said. “To now see that internship turn into a full-time career opportunity says a lot about the endless value partnerships like this can have.” Childs said Jayden's growth throughout the internship highlighted the potential of the program and the value students can bring to the company. “From day one, what has stood out is his attitude, his willingness to learn, and the level of skill he already brought with him,” Childs said. Leaders said the success of the first internship reinforced the importance of continuing to build partnerships with local colleges and invest in future talent. “It’s been a real success story of collaboration,” Sweeney said, “and one we will continue to add to with future internships with ECC students.”

Iowa Select Farms is hiring a Communications Manager in West Des Moines! We are seeking a Communications Manager to lead and support internal and external communications that highlight our employees, farms, communities, and company initiatives. This role develops, deploys and measures content across multiple platforms including social media focusing on internal communications, corporate communications and branding, company and employee events, engagement programs, recognition programs, public affairs/issues management, sustainability reporting and the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation content and events. In this position, you will create feature stories on employees and farm teams, collaborate with leadership and teams across the organization to develop clear and consistent messaging that supports business goals. The role also includes coordinating and maintaining content for digital platforms and supporting ongoing communications projects. This is an on-site, full-time position (approximately 40 hours per week, typically Monday-Friday) with flexibility required for occasional evening and weekend events. The role also requires approximately 30% in-state travel across Iowa to visit farms and facilities, capture stories, and connect with employees in the field. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and communicator with 3+ years of experience in content creation, social media management, and project coordination. This role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities. Iowa Select Farms offers competitive pay, affordable and comprehensive benefits including 401(K), paid time off, paid holidays, and more. Interested? Apply using the link below! If you have additional questions, message us on LinkedIn, contact us at 641-648-4479 or send us an email at jobs@iowaselect.com. Communications Manager (West Des Moines, IA): https://lnkd.in/gXG3wt6t

We're extremely pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Tyler Te Grotenhuis as Vice President of Operations, Wean-to-Finish at Iowa Select Farms. Tyler will play a critical role in leading the continued transformation and strengthening of our wean-to-finish system, while also serving as a key member of our leadership team. He brings extensive experience in farrow-to-finish operations, swine health management, team leadership, and research and development. Most recently, Tyler served as Director of Business Development at BarnTools, where he helped drive the company’s growth by identifying strategic opportunities, building high-value industry partnerships, and expanding adoption of the BarnTools platform. Prior to that, Tyler served as General Manager of Sow Operations, General Manager of Wean-to-Finish Operations, and as a Veterinarian at Christensen Farms. He led multi-state wean-to-finish operations spanning over 550 locations, as well as the multi-state sow operation locations. During his tenure, he drove year-over-year business growth, improved operational efficiency, and fostered collaboration across key areas, including safety, animal well-being, biosecurity, transportation, marketing, and veterinary services. A proud Iowa native, Tyler earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and Animal Science from Dordt College, followed by his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas College of Business. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Te Grotenhuis to the team!

“When seconds count, being familiar with the process can make all the difference,” said Dave Osman, Director of Transportation for Iowa Select Farms. “Large equipment and machinery can be intimidating, which is why hands-on training is so important. Working together builds communication and confidence, ultimately protecting both people and pigs.” That spirit of “learning by doing” came to life during a recent livestock rollover response training at the Iowa Falls Fire Department with the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Pork Industry Center, Hardin County Emergency Management and Central Iowa Towing. Drawing on years of real-world experience in transportation, safety, and security, Dave—along with Blake Eischeid, Director of Safety, and Chris Morgan, Director of Security— shared valuable insight into the challenges of a rollover response. From stepping inside a trailer to handling specialized towing equipment to talking through best practices, participants moved through the training step by step, gaining the tools and knowledge to respond quickly and effectively in a rare livestock transportation emergency. Every day, these first responders use their skills, time and courage to protect our communities, and we’re honored to support their efforts through training like this. Thank you for keeping our communities safe!

Each year on the last Sunday of September, Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day pays tribute to the mothers, fathers, and family members of fallen military service members. In recognition of their sacrifice and to offer a symbol of remembrance, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation is privileged to present a distinctive gift to every Gold Star family in Iowa.   This year, the Foundation was honored to distribute over 650 handcrafted wind spinners to Gold Star Families throughout the state. Designed to move gently with the breeze and catch the light, these wind spinners serve as a lasting tribute — a symbol of hope, peace, and the enduring spirit of those who gave everything to defend our freedom.   Gold Star Families have paid the highest price for the liberties we enjoy today. The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to remember, honor, and support these families — not only on Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day but every day throughout the year. Through these thoughtful gifts, the Foundation hopes to bring solace and keep the memories of fallen heroes alive in the hearts and homes of Iowa’s Gold Star Families.   To all Gold Star Families across Iowa, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation extends its deepest gratitude and heartfelt remembrance.  

From the combines in the fields to the caretakers in the barns, harvest is more than a season—it’s a reminder of the connection between our crops, animals, people, environment and communities. The corn and soybeans gathered across Iowa fuel the care inside our barns, carrying forward into high-quality pork that feeds families near and far. We extend our gratitude and wish a safe and happy harvest to the hard-working hands—both in the fields and in the barns—that make it all possible!

“You can’t just point a dashboard at a live table and hope for the best,” said Chad Hill. “You need to build infrastructure that’s optimized, stable and won’t drag down the apps and tools everyone else is using.” That focus on building the unseen but critical foundation for data has become Chad’s new role at Iowa Select Farms — a role that didn’t exist before. After more than a decade of developing databases and web tools, Chad was asked to expand the company’s Power BI dashboard capabilities. What emerged, however, was the realization that the business needed something more: data engineering. With three programmers and a data analyst now reporting to him, Chad is creating a sustainable data foundation that turns information into actionable insight. Demand is growing across operations, transportation, biosecurity, finance and more. Leaders want reports, alerts and trackers that are fast, accurate and ready to guide decisions. At the same time, Chad is leading two departments and driving business priorities forward. One project involves converting water meter readings into consistent, usable data. “It’s like trying to calculate your speed by glancing at your odometer occasionally,” he said. “We’ve got to engineer the data first—map it to rooms, link it to inventory, make it make sense—before we can even think about displaying it.” He is also reviving the back end of TAPS, the sow farm performance tracking system. Chad’s goal is to automate performance charts so managers no longer wait on long reports or manual queries. Much of his effort centers on optimizing pipelines that move information from on-premise SQL databases to cloud-based Azure servers powering Power BI dashboards. These pipelines run quietly in the background, synchronizing data every few hours without slowing the system. Other projects include movement rules, vaccination planning, site wash schedules, supply budgeting and semen batch tracking. Each connects to different parts of the business, but all have the same goal: better data, better tools and better decisions. To manage the workload, Chad has introduced structure to his team with dedicated Teams channels, daily updates and task tracking. “People need to know what we’re working on — even if the work isn’t visible yet,” he said.