By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor
Fullerton, Nebraska
All-around livestock producer Jan Frenzen began a life of raising cattle and hogs on her family’s farm near Battle Creek, Neb. The daughter of Jim and Stella Volk, she cut her teeth on purebred SPF Hamp and Yorkshire hogs and registered Simmental cattle.
She married Craig Frenzen of Fullerton after meeting him in college, saying they dated after a relationship was sparked at Craig and Teri Uden’s wedding.
“I brought hogs into our marriage, but never converted my husband into a hog man,” she laughs.
The couple lives on a farm near Fullerton that was homesteaded on Frenzen ground. They rented then purchased the property that, at one time, had been sold to an outside buyer. Frenzen says it had been a long-time dream to have the place come back into the family. Raising commercial, verified-natural Angus and Polled Hereford cattle, they calve their 2-year-old heifers where they live, under close observation. Frenzen says she always wants a cow herd; her favorite thing is watching the baby calves. She would also like to raise a few hogs again, someday.
Frenzen has worked for IMI Global for nine years, saying lifelong friend Mark Nelson introduced her to the third-party verification company. The travel and good livestock people suit her well; she “loves being able to help add value to their livestock.” Being able to work with some hog producers provides her “pig fix” and doesn’t bother husband Craig.
IMI supplies EID tags to their clients and then verifies they are following protocol through the IMI system. She looks for things people are doing right.
The couple has three daughters – Katie (Matt) Hothem, Jamie (Tom) Ksiazek, Emily Frenzen – and four grandchildren.
Having lots of interests, Frenzen is always busy. She loves to quilt and wants to teach her grandchildren. Reading is a favorite, although her most ambitious plan is to resume running half-marathons. She claims she’s not competitive about it, she “only wants to be able to do it.”
We will see about that.
