Shelby County Cattlemen host annual meeting and award banquet

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Cattlemen held its Annual Meeting Saturday, Feb. 7 at St. Peter’s Hall in Defiance.
Over 600 attendees were served a New York strip dinner in less than an hour. Following the dinner, the Trophy Scholarship Fund Auction was held, raising $56,500 for future scholarships to local students. 
After the greeting by Steve Leinen, the invocation by Mike Fara, and recognition of the Board of Directors, the awards ceremony was held.
Kevin Goshorn presented scholarships to twenty-eight Shelby County students.
Leinen presented the remaining awards for the evening. Brandt and Stacia Ferry (pictured above left) earned the 2026 Cattleman of the Year award. This year’s Friend of the Industry went to George and Julie Langenfeld (pictured bottom left), and Matt  and Kristen VanBaale (pictured above right) received the Beef Backer award. 
Following the award ceremony a live auction was held with Dunlap Livestock Auctioneers, Denison Livestock Auctioneers, and Jim Reisz doing the auctioneering. 
Please see the Friday, Feb. 13 edition of the Harlan News-Advertiser for more photos, including scholarship recipients and trophy winners. (Tami Schechinger, photos)