Crestview Farms received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kosciusko County Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting Tuesday, March 7. Pictured from left are Scott, Carson and Kelly Kaiser; Jon and Katie Lechlitner; and Leslie and Dennis Darr. The cattlemen celebrated 50 years at the meeting. Photo provided by The Farmer’s Exchange.

By CAROLINA KEEGAN
The Farmer’s Exchange

LEESBURG — The Kosciusko County Cattlemen’s Association celebrated 50 years Tuesday, March 7, at its annual meeting. The association hosted a dinner in Leesburg and founding member Leon Tucker spoke, recounting various achievements the group has made in the past 50 years.

Other featured speakers included Jeff Sherfield, president of the Indiana Beef Cattleman’s Association, and Emma Melcher, IBCA’s consumer education and production relations director.

The Kosciusko County Cattlemen’s Association was founded in 1973 by cattlemen Leon Tucker of Milford, Everett “Buss” Tom of Leesburg, Ernie Rhoades of Pierceton and extension educator Don Frantz.

When the group was started, Kosciusko County was populated with cattle feedlots, KCCA director Bruce Lamb said. The county was also home to many major feedstock companies.

“The purpose of the organization was to promote the production of quality beef; sponsor education programs and demonstrations for cattle producers of Kosciusko County; promote cooperative programs of improvement, marketing and promotion of Kosciusko County cattle; and develop leadership and unity of purpose among producers of the county,” Lamb said, reciting the mission of the organization.

Looking back at the highlights, Tucker noted several things that had a personal impact on him. Among them were bringing beef to the classroom at the local high school, the Kosciusko County Showcase Sale and the purchasing of 4-H beef animals.

“It was to all our benefit for them to start this organization,” Lamb said.

He listed 14 different initiatives the association either sponsored or hosted throughout the years, including beef promotion at local supermarkets, the Beef Up the Blood Supply campaign with the Red Cross, hosting state beef field days, offering a 4-H beef scholarship and giving Ag Day presentations for county children in the fourth grade, among other things.

Kosciusko County is home to two IBCA presidents: Lamb, who is the current president, and Bob Biship of Leesburg. Lillie Rookstool of Oswego served as president of the National Cattlewomen’s Association. Tucker and Tom, two of the founding members, have received the Outstanding Cattlemen Award.

Other members receiving various cattlemen awards include Vic Virgil in 1985, John Camden in 1998, Brian Deatsman in 2009 and Scott Nelson in 2010.

The KCCA received the IBCA Outstanding Affiliate in 1976, 1983, 1985, 1986, 2000 and 2002. The award has since been discontinued.

“Maybe that’s why it’s not given, because we’ve won it quite a few times,” Lamb said, eliciting a laugh from the members.

The 2022 county born and bred winners and the 4-H consumer beef project winners were recognized during the meeting. Awardees include Collin Deatsman, Caleb Lechlitner, Haley Nelson and Hayden Lechlitner.

Crestview Farms in Syracuse was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dennis and Lesley Darr, Scott and Kelly Kaiser and Jon and Katie Lechlitner received the honor.

Other awards given include the Ribeye Award, given to a youth who shows outstanding service at the KCCA fair stand, and the Beef Promoter/Supporter Award recipient was Aubrey Miller of Pierceton. The Beef Promoter/Supporter Award winner was Scott Sands of Silver Lake.

Sherfield offered an update on the happenings within Indiana Beef. The latest is Country-of-Origin Labeling, or the American Beef Labeling Act, which is back before Congress. IBCA is fighting against this due to the agreement the United States made in 2015 with the World Trade Organization to discontinue county-of-origin labeling.

“The United States had a $1 billion judgment against us if we did not get rid of COOL. One billion dollars. That stayed in place, so if that comes back in violation of the World Trade Organization, Canada and Mexico can force that to go into effect, plus, on top of that, trade tariffs,” he said.

Melcher gave an update on educational opportunities in the cattle industry. She reported that the IBCA offers a scholarships for high school seniors and college students within the organization, which are available until April 10. Hoosier Beef Congress drew in about 1,200 youth showmen.

She encouraged everyone to reach out with their concerns.

“We’re here for you guys. We are the voice for you all,” she said. “If you have a problem, a question, a need, anything that you can’t necessarily be done at a county level, come to up.”

Upcoming KCCA events include Ag Day and Taste of Ag on April 11. Those interested in donating ground beef for the Cattlemen’s Association booth at Taste of Ag should reach out to Purdue Extension Ag and Natural Recourses educator Emily Kreska at [email protected] or call the county extension office at (574) 372-2340.