Beef Banquet '23: awards, scholarships and more

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 3:06pm

Larry Scharf (left) was inducted into the Jones County Cattlemen Hall of Fame on March 18. Presenting the plaque is Cattlemen President Doug Kurt. (Photos by Kim Brooks)

Several scholarships were awarded during the Cattlemen’s Banquet. From left are President Doug Kurt; Emily Meyer, $250; Levi Lynch, $250; Luke Crock, $500; and Wyatt Christiansen (accepting for Hannah Fishwild, who received $1,000).

   A Hall of Fame Induction, scholarships, the annual auction, a speech from a participant in a bred heifer program, a ribeye steak meal, and a “Let’s Make a Deal” offshoot game were all part of the Jones County Beef Banquet Saturday, March 18 at the Berndes Center in Monticello.

     Larry Scharf of Monticello was inducted into the Jones County Cattlemen (JCC) Hall of Fame.

   Scharf graduated from Olin High School in 1957, briefly attended college, then returned to farm on his grandfather’s farm west of Olin.

   He married Marty Scharff in 1964, and they moved to the farm, where Larry was learning the profession from his father.

   When his father passed away in 1968, “I had to take over,” Larry said. “I had a lot more on my plate. But we survived.”

   His son Kerry has taken over the farm, but Larry continues to work on it to this day. He also serves as an official for high school sports, which he has done for 58 years, mostly for baseball and softball.

   Kole Weber, recipient of three bred heifers as part of the Jones County Cattlemen’s bred heifer program back in December 2019, spoke about his experiences with the program.

   Weber said his herd has since produced 17 live calves as of January of this year, and he currently has 10 breeding females and three herd bulls.

   “I’d like to encourage the younger kids who have a passion for farming to consider this program, because it’s a great way to grow or start your own herd,” Weber said.

     Al Lubben Memorial Scholarships were presented to deserving students.

     For the entertainment, a “Let’s Make A Deal” event was held in which coolers full of beef and other goods were brought to the stage, and randomly-drawn participants got to choose whether to take one of the coolers or an envelope of beef certificates.

     The Jones County Cattlemen also held their annual live auction, featuring 28 auction items, with Ivan Kurt serving as auctioneer. Ralph Hosch provided the invocation. A silent auction and door prize drawings were conducted as well.

     Andy Petersen served as Master of ceremonies.

 

 

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