Henry and Jacoba Peters

Henry J. Peters and Jacoba Rombouts embarked on an incredible farming partnership together. Both were immigrants from the Netherlands. Jacoba came to Canada in 1951 at age seven. Henry arrived in 1956 at age 17. They were married in 1966. They started their pork production journey by purchasing 16 weaner pigs and a boar. Their first sow barn was hand-built on their farm south of Thedford. Since then, their business has expanded many times. In 1974, they incorporated as Henry J. Peters Farms.

Henry and Jacoba Peters have been leaders, innovators, and risk takers. In 1979, they were among the first local farmers to incorporate Segregated Early Weaning into a farrow to finish operation. In Segregated Early Weaning, piglets are weaned at an early age. The piglets are immediately moved to separate facilities away from the breeding herd. This reduces the spread of diseases from adults to young pigs. 

Henry and Jacoba have used high-moisture corn to feed their pigs, reducing drying time and energy costs. They grow crops to feed their pigs and use their pig manure to improve their crops. Their farm practices crop rotation to improve soil health, optimize nutrients, and fight pests and weeds. In 2022, a new barn was built to house 3,000 sows. Today, they farm more than 2,800 acres.

As Henry’s involvement in the pork industry grew, he saw a need for grassroots involvement in hog marketing. In 1994, he helped found the Progressive Pork Producers Cooperative. This unique co-op had a self-sustaining business model with 120 family-run farms collaborating to market hogs. In 2001, Progressive Pork Producers bought Conestoga Meat Packers. Now the farmers owned the plant where their hogs were processed. Today, Conestoga Meats employs 1,400 people and exports pork products around the world.

As their farming operation expanded, so did their family. Henry and Jacoba raised six children. They both played an active role in their children’s sports and activities, fitting them in between farm chores. Their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are also farming, ensuring the sustainability of their legacy.

Now well into their 80s, Henry and Jacoba have always been hardworking. Jacoba’s financial expertise and recordkeeping paired well with Henry’s attention to detail. They are modest, collaborative, and trustworthy. Together they have made exemplary contributions to the pork sector and their community.

Community Contributions (Virtual Exhibit):

• Local pioneers of Segregated Early Weaning in farrow to finish pork operations
• Founder of Progressive Pork Producers Cooperative marketing group (Henry)
• Helped rejuvenate Conestoga Meat Packers, from modest 3,000 market hogs per week (2001) to 45,000 hogs per week (2025)
• Active member of the Catholic Women’s League (Jacoba)
• Dedicated churchgoers