Val and Ian Plagge (VIP) both come from multi-generation family farms and met while studying at Iowa State University, where Val pursued Agricultural Communications and Ian studied Agricultural Business. Their shared love for farming and a desire to raise the next generation on the farm brought these college sweethearts together, and they married in 2008.

While still in college, Ian took his first steps in farming by building two pig finishing barns and renting his first piece of farmland. Over the years, the couple has expanded their corn and soybean production and pork operation, all while raising their most important crop — their four children.

At VIP Farms, hard work, stewardship, and community support are at the heart of everything they do. They take pride in caring for the land, livestock, and resources God has entrusted to them, ensuring that the farming traditions they grew up with continue to thrive for generations to come.

Located in Franklin County, Iowa, VIP Farms grows corn and soybeans, using these crops to feed their livestock while also supplying area ethanol plants, crushing facilities, and local cooperatives.

VIP Farms receives all of their weaned pigs from a sow cooperative in Audubon, Iowa, and raise them to market weight. Their pigs are currently sold to Wholestone Farms/Prestige Farms in Eagle Grove, Iowa, and Seaboard Foods in Sioux City, Iowa. Additionally, they offer local pork directly to consumers by processing it at USDA-inspected Nimrod Meats in Iowa Falls, Iowa. VIP Farms Pork is available for purchase at Latimer Grocery in Latimer, Iowa.