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Guide to the Esther Ver Meer papers

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Collection Overview
Date Span:1991-1998
Creator:Ver Meer, Esther
Extent:1.00 linear inch.
Collection Number:IWA0408
Repository:Iowa Women's Archives
Summary:Farmwoman and member of the Porkettes, the women's auxiliary of the Iowa Pork Producers Council.

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.

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.

Arrangement: One folder, shelved in SCVF.

Access: The papers are open for research.

Use: Copyright has been retained by the donor.

Acquisition: The papers (donor no. 586) were donated by Esther Ver Meer in 1999.

Preferred Citation: Esther Ver Meer papers, Iowa Women's Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City.

Repository:Iowa Women's Archives
Address:100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone:319-335-5068
Curator:Kären Mason
Email:lib-women@uiowa.edu
Website:http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa

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Geographic Names:
Mahaska County (Iowa)

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Rural and Farm Women