Chad Ingels is a dedicated pig farmer, conservation advocate and state legislator with deep roots in Fayette County, Iowa. Growing up on his family’s farm between Fayette and Maynard, Chad developed a strong work ethic and appreciation of agriculture from an early age. His love for farming was shaped by his parents and grandparents, who instilled in him the values of hard work and stewardship.
A Life Dedicated to Agriculture
Chad’s agricultural journey began as a member of 4-H, where he took on swine, horse and gardening projects. After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Horticulture, he found himself drawn back to the family farm. Despite facing challenges, including the hog market crash of 1998, Chad’s determination to continue raising pigs never wavered.
He partnered with Niman Ranch to raise pigs the old-fashioned way — in bedded pens and outdoors — bringing his vision of sustainable and humane farming to life.
“Raising pigs in a non-confinement situation is labor intensive but rewarding,” Chad says. “Each year, Niman Ranch hosts a hog farmer appreciation dinner where their customers come together with a lot of the farmers. The gratitude the customers show is almost overwhelming in some respects. It is great to learn how they use the pork and the positive feedback they receive from their own customers, the consumers.”
Today, Chad raises corn, soybeans, oats and hay while also maintaining a sow herd. His dedication to conservation is evident in his no-till soybean practices, cover crop trials ahead of corn, and efforts to improve water quality. His partnership with Niman Ranch has been instrumental in sustaining his pig farming operation, providing him with the resources to continue farming responsibly and humanely.
Passion for Conservation
Chad’s commitment to conservation was sparked during his time with Iowa State Extension, where he worked on water quality improvement projects. Since then, he’s made significant strides on his own farm by implementing cover crops, no-till planting and split nitrogen applications.
“I think it’s important to be conservation-focused because it increases the resiliency of the soil during periods of drought or excessive rainfall,” Chad says, adding that conservation practices benefit the environment while supporting long-term agricultural sustainability.
Serving Iowa in the State Legislature
Since 2021, Chad has served in the Iowa State Legislature, representing parts of Fayette, Buchanan and Black Hawk counties. His involvement in local government began more than 20 years ago when he served on the West Central School Board. Today, Chad serves on several legislative committees, including Education, Health and Human Services; and Labor. He is also chairman of the Administrative Rules Committee and past chair of Veterans Affairs.
“Serving in the Legislature has been a great experience, and I am honored to represent my part of Iowa,” he says.
Chad remains deeply committed to advocating for Iowa farmers and promoting responsible land stewardship through policy and leadership.
A Family Tradition
Chad’s passion for agriculture and public service is shared with his wife, Tammy, whom he met in high school band, and their three children, Colton, Kameryn, and Cullen. The Ingels family continues to stay active in their community, from attending high school sports to participating in Special Olympics events. In his spare time, Chad enjoys gardening and officiating high school basketball.
As part of his commitment to tradition, Chad has shared a family favorite recipe for sausage casserole — a hearty dish that showcases his love for farm-raised pork.
Sausage Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Seasoned Pork Sausage
- 1 Medium Onion – diced
- 3 Cups boiling water
- 1 package Lipton's Chicken Noodle Soup Mix
- 3/4 Cup Rice
- 2 Cups Celery (chopped)
Instructions
- Brown sausage and onion
- Add water and soup
- Mix in rice and celery
- Let simmer 20 minutes
- Put in greased casserole or 9×13 pan and bake for 1 – 1/2 hours at 350-degrees.
- Bake uncovered an additional 20 minutes.
- Stir several times while bakingNOTE: chopped green pepper added to the meat is good!