Russ, a grain and swine producer since graduating from the University of Illinois, returned to the family farm and used revolutionary hog diets and developed hog confinement with the hog slat floor. Mary Jeckel also reflects on their life on the farm.
Photos
Caption
Russ Jeckel (on the right) with his father John in 1944. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1944Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
John Jeckel works with electrical fencing around a-frame hog pens in 1953. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1953Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
The USS Pensacola, the ship Jeckel served on in the South Pacific during WW II.Where:
South Pacific during WW IIWhen:
June 29, 1945Ownership:
Public domain 
Caption
A Logan County Pork Producer's cookout in the early 1960s. From left to right are Bob Wertheim, Russ Jeckel, unknown, unknown ("Monkey"), Albert Gelbahl and unknown.Where:
Logan County Pork Producer's When:
1960sOwnership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Russ and Mary Jeckel with the Illinois Pork Queen in the mid 1970s.Where:
Fighting Illini Pork ClubWhen:
1970s.Ownership:
Public domain 
Caption
Russ presents a ham to Governor Otto Kerner at the Illinois State Fair in 1965.Where:
Illinois State FairWhen:
Illinois State Fair in 1965.Ownership:
Public domain 
Caption
Aerial view of the Jeckel farm taken in the late 1970s.Where:
Jeckel farm When:
1970sOwnership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Jeckel's dairy barn is used for farrowing pigs, circa 1951. Where:
Jeckel's dairy barn When:
1951Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Jeckel's farrowing operation, photo taken in the early 1990s. Where:
Jeckel's farrowing operationWhen:
1990sOwnership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
A hog farrowing barn in the late 1990s. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1990sOwnership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
A more modern finishing barn in the late 1990s.Where:
UnknownWhen:
1990s.Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
An outdoor farrowing shed, circa 1952.Where:
Circa 1952When:
1952Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Outdoor farrowing sheds in 1962.Where:
UnknownWhen:
1962Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Pigs in a finisher shed in 2000. Where:
UnknownWhen:
2000Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Sows and pigs in a modernized facility, in the late 1990s. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1990sOwnership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Russ and Mary Jeckel at the time of the interview in May 2008.Where:
UnknownWhen:
May 2008Ownership:
Public domain 
Caption
University of Illinois Award of Merit awarded to Russ Jeckel in 1971. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1971Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
National Hog Farmer award given to Russ Jeckel in 1973 at the National Pork Congress. Where:
National Pork CongressWhen:
1973 Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
The Ford Farm Efficiency Award was awarded to Russ in 1975.Where:
UnknownWhen:
1975Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
The Bloomington Pantagraph named Russ Jeckel its Outstanding Farmer in 1978. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1978Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Mary Jeckel received the Illinois Pork Producers Association with its Porkette Award in 1982. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1982Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Mary Jeckel received the National Pork Council Women's Recognition Award in 1988. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1988Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Russ and Mary Jeckel were inducted into the Pork Industry "Hall of Fame" in 1996.Where:
UnknownWhen:
1996Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
The Jeckel's are recognized as Master Farmers.Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator's Photo