The Terry and Sylvia Wolters Family has been recognized as the 2026 Minnesota Pork Family of the Year by the Minnesota Pork Board. Honored with this prestigious award for their contributions to the long-term success of the swine industry, the family has demonstrated dedicated leadership, selfless service and a strong commitment to agriculture. The Wolters family displays decades of hard work dedicated to the betterment of communities and pork production as a whole. Terry and Sylvia don’t just exemplify these values themselves, they have instilled them in their children and, as a family, they have promoted, advocated for and invested in the pork industry from the local to national level.
For Terry and Sylvia, agriculture has never been just a career. Their shared passion for livestock and animal science began while attending Washington State University, where they met as members of the livestock judging team. After graduation, they began building careers in the swine industry, taking opportunities that led them across several different states before eventually settling in southwest Minnesota. Each place along the way brought new knowledge, relationships and experiences that would help shape their future as leaders within the pork industry.
After joining Pipestone in 1997, Terry found more than a new career opportunity. He discovered an organization with a mission that aligned with his own values and shared a passion for helping producers succeed and creating opportunities for future generations of farmers. Throughout his nearly three decades with Pipestone, Terry has worked closely with independent pork producers, advocating for their success while helping strengthen the future of pork production across the region. Today, he continues serving farmers as Vice President of Producer and Industry Relations, remaining committed to the values that first brought him to Pipestone.
While Terry’s work focused on serving producers, Sylvia found her own unique way to advocate for agriculture and the pork industry. Throughout her career, she has connected consumers to farming through education, outreach and community engagement. Whether through exhibits, events, agricultural demonstrations or conversations with families, Sylvia has dedicated countless hours to helping people better understand how their food is raised and the care farmers provide for their animals. Her passion for sharing the story of agriculture has helped bridge the gap between consumers and producers while creating fun and engaging experiences she brings people in, finds common ground and shares her story. She wakes up everyday hoping to change two people’s perspective on what the agriculture industry and swine production is all about.
Together, Terry and Sylvia have built a reputation for service that extends far beyond their professional careers. Both have volunteered their time and talents to numerous industry organizations, educational programs and community initiatives. Terry has served in leadership positions at the county, state and national levels, including serving as president of the National Pork Producers Council in 2022. Sylvia has contributed through boards, committees and educational organizations focused on supporting youth, agriculture and rural communities. Their willingness to step forward and serve has made a lasting impact on both the pork industry and the community within it.
One of the family’s most recognizable contributions has been their commitment to promoting pork through food and fellowship. Through community events, fundraisers, youth activities and local celebrations, the Wolters family has used pork as a way to bring people together. What started as a small effort to support local organizations grew into countless opportunities to serve communities while sharing their passion for the product they in part produce. Their efforts have supported schools, first responders, FFA chapters and numerous charitable organizations.
The family’s dedication to agriculture continues through the next generation. Terry and Sylvia raised their children, Bailey and Blake, with the same values of service, hard work and industry involvement that have guided their own lives. Through their careers, leadership experiences and community engagement efforts, the next generation continues to demonstrate the importance of giving back and staying connected to agriculture.
The Minnesota Pork Family of the Year award recognizes families whose leadership and service help strengthen the pork industry for years to come. Terry and Sylvia Wolters have done exactly that. Through their advocacy, community involvement, promotion of pork and unwavering support of family farmers, they have built a legacy centered on people, relationships and the future of agriculture.
Congratulations to Terry, Sylvia and the entire Wolters family on this well-deserved recognition as the 2026 Minnesota Pork Family of the Year.
