Steve Quick grew up on a diversified grain and livestock farm near Boulder, Illinois. Steve graduated with honors from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1983, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Industries. While in college, Steve received the Herb Oeltjen Outstanding Student Award from the College of Agricultural Sciences. He joined The Maschhoffs  in 1983, and has led the pork production operations since 1988. In 2005, Steve received the Service to Agriculture Award from the College of Agricultural Sciences at SIU-Carbondale. Steve lives with his wife on their family farm in rural Boulder.