Taking a Trip Down Memory Lane

As a generational family business, Maple Leaf Farms history is well documented and has shaped our values and how we do business. Because our heritage plays such an important role in our company’s success, we want to take a trip down memory lane to share how Maple Leaf Farms came to be!

The Foundation

Our story starts with an entrepreneur named Donald Wentzel who had a great passion for agriculture and pursued this interest at Purdue University. He worked for the feed and grain industries for several year, and throughout his travels, he constantly asked himself “Why not bring duck production to where the feed is?” He loved duck and became consumed with the idea that he could raise a more efficient, higher quality duck amid the Midwest’s fertile farmland. This led him to return to the Hoosier state and eventually purchase an existing poultry plant near Milford, Indiana in February 1958. And, the rest, so they say, is history...

The Early Years

In its first year, Maple Leaf Farms raised 280,000 ducks. At the time, our company’s production paled in comparison to 7.5 million head raised on Long Island, which had about 90 duck farms that accounted for approximately 2/3 of all U.S. duck production.

Don Wentzel’s mission wasn’t to be the biggest duck producer. He was motivated to produce duck with “quality you can count on” in the heart of corn belt so he could take advantage its bountiful grain markets and central proximity to markets throughout the U.S. And, he did just that until he passed away in 1968.

With Wentzel’s passing, his son-in-law, Terry Tucker, assumed the role of executive vice president and began leading the direction of the company. A recent graduate of Purdue University’s agricultural economics program, Terry had started working part time for Wentzel while still in high school. He dated Wentzel’s daughter, Sandra, and the two lovebirds ended up getting married in 1960 while attending Purdue. Drawn to Wentzel’s vision, they returned home upon graduation.

The Progress

Terry was at the helm of our business during years of tremendous growth for Maple Leaf Farms. In 1976, he oversaw the construction of Serenade Food, a further processing facility where the company produces several value-added duck products like our Roast Half Duck. Around that same time, he also oversaw the construction of hatchery and feed mill to enhance the company’s vertical integration, which is a critical key to our Farm-to-Fork process today

Business was booming in 1981 when Maple Leaf Farms purchased the nation's largest duck operation, C&D Foods. This vaulted Maple Leaf Farms into the position of top duck company in the United States and allowed our company to capitalize on other integration opportunities. For instance, our company was able to form Down Inc. in 1984 to manufacture pillows and other bedding products with down and feathers sourced from Maple Leaf Farms ducks.

In subsequent years, our team took advantage of technological advancements to grow our research programs and improve our farming practices. Much of this progress was directed by Terry and Sandra’s sons, John and Scott Tucker, who were named Co-Presidents in 2001.

The Future

Under Scott and John’s direction, Maple Leaf Farms has been making strategic moves to grow our global brand and capitalize on our position as a leader in the duck industry. This includes gradually expanding domestic markets while also building on opportunities in other parts of the world where duck is very popular.

In 2007, Maple Leaf Farms began selling our duck breeding stock internationally to markets looking for improved meat quality and feed efficiency. This business model does not displace our domestic production or export sales, but allows our superior duck to benefit consumers across the globe.

As the business grew, so did the need for more space. In 2011, Maple Leaf Farms acquired an elementary school and remodeled it into a new headquarters. This moved headquarters from Milford to Leesburg, Indiana, a neighboring town.

John and Scott have also ushered the fourth generation of the family into the business. In total eight family members work in various positions throughout the company. Through a family council, they set the vision and values for the company and guide its philanthropic and social responsibility programs so that our business can thrive for another 60 years.

With three generations currently working in the company and the demand for duck growing, Maple Leaf Farms is still writing its history with many new and exciting things to come. While leadership may change, our company’s family values and passion for offering the best quality duck remains constant.