Esther Ver Meer papers

Collection — Folder: 1

Identifier: IWA0408

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Esther Ver Meer papers date from 1991-1998 and measure 1 linear inch. They consist of correspondence and published materials. The majority of the collection relates to her nomination to the National Pork Board. Her personal papers consist of letters of appointment regarding her various positions. The published pieces include newspaper and magazine articles about Ver Meer and her farming activities.

Dates

Creation: 1991-1998

Creator

Ver Meer, Esther (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been retained by the donor.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

Esther Ver Meer farmed with her family near Leighton, Iowa during her school years. She graduated from high school and married Owen Ver Meer in 1965. They began raising hogs as soon as they married, Esther Ver Meer doing most of the farrowing (care of newborn hogs). They raised three children on their 475 acre, 100 hog farm.

She joined the Farm Bureau, but became more active in the Iowa Porkettes, the women's auxiliary of the Iowa Pork Producers Council. She held several positions as officer in the Mahaska County Porkettes and later served as treasurer of the Iowa Porkettes. She organized political action committees to monitor agricultural bills in the state legislature. In 1991, the Iowa Pork Congress appointed her Iowa Porkette of the Year.

In 1992, the United States Department of Agriculture appointed Ver Meer to a three-year term on the National Pork Board, a group that disbursed advertising funds collected from pork sales. She was one of the first women on the board. She was reappointed in 1995 and become vice president of the board in 1996 and president the following year.

Ver Meer has been active in her church and has played the organ for many years. Recently, she has found great satisfaction in working with the terminally ill.