Wisconsin Pork Announces Hall Of Fame Inductee

The Wisconsin Pork Association Hall of Fame Award recognizes an outstanding individual who has demonstrated a long-time commitment to the Wisconsin State Fair in the open and junior shows, and who has developed a successful swine breeding program throughout their career.

Wisconsin Pork Association would like to invite those interested in attending to join them at the award presentation in the swine barn at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, during the Chester White show to recognize the 2026 Hall of Fame inductee as well as past Hall of Fame Award recipients. This year’s recipient is Tom Rake from Waunakee, WI. The award will be given in honor of Tom posthumously and members of the Rake family will be present at the ceremony to accept the award in honor of Tom.

Past Hall of Fame Recipients:
1992 – John Wollin, Lake Mills
1993 – James Walsh, Beloit
1994 – Lyle Nelson, Oregon
1995 – Don Lang, Beloit
1996 – Gerald McElroy, Pardeeville
1997 – Earl Skalitzky, Waterloo
1998 – Bob Grenawalt, Beloit
1999 – LaVern & Marilyn Weller, Dwight, IL
2000 – Schuster Brothers, Berlin
2001 – Ralph Wilson, Burlington
2002 – James Furlong, Jr., Watertown
2003 – William Schomberg, La Crosse
2004 – Mike & Donna Lindow, Chili
2005 – Wayne Fowler, Cuba City
2006 – George Holst, Trevor
2007 – Francis Fahey, Belleville
2008 – David Gill, Platteville

2009 – Gary Brewer, Albany
2010 – Paul George, Evansville
2011 – Alan Butts, Evansville
2012 – Erv Nuttleman, Bangor
2013 – Roger Guse, Whitehall
2014 – Dennis Jeffers, Poplar Grove, IL
2015 – Bill Clothier, Clinton
2016 – Charles Schmaling Family, Delavan
2017 – Hilman Schroeder, Sauk City
2018 – Thomas Knauer, Avalon
2019 – Gary & Diann Skalitzky, Waterloo
2020 – WSF Cancelled
2021 – Todd Brewer, Albany
2022 – Robert “R.J.” Ellingson, Poplar Grove, IL
2023 – Tom Walsh, Beloit
2024 – Mickey Gilster, Bangor
2025 –Jim Brinkmeier, Pearl City, IL (Posthumously)