The multigenerational farm family is from Cambridge Illinois
State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia) was proud to present the 2023 Illinois Pork Family of the Year award to Cambridge natives Mark and Karen DeDecker and their family during the Illinois Pork Producers Expo in Springfield Tuesday night.
“From sun-up to sun-down for more than 75 years, through adversity and hardships, several wars and the great depression, the DeDecker family never gave up on their mission to help feed the world,” said Senator Anderson. “Not only have Mark and Karen devoted their time to the farm over the last several decades, they remained very active in their communities serving on multiple boards while raising three children.”
Senator Anderson had the pleasure of introducing the farm family in front of ag producers and vendors from across the Midwest at the BOS Center in Springfield. Along with the introduction, Sen. Anderson presented Mark and Karen with a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the Illinois Senate.
“Agriculture is the number one industry in Illinois, and I look forward to continuing my work in advocating for the sector as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee,” said Senator Anderson. “It is important that we invest in and recognize the importance of multigenerational farm families. The DeDecker family is the absolutely deserving of this designation.”
The Henry County farm family originally started with 160 acres back in 1936 and has since grown to raising 7,000 hogs annually while managing 2,500 acres of crops.
