Legacies in Leadership: Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Inducts Four into Hall of Fame

There is a quiet, powerful legacy written in the show rings, barns, and feedlots across the Hoosier State—a legacy built on early mornings, lifelong dedication, and an unyielding commitment to livestock improvement. That tradition took center stage once again during the 4-H Grand Drive at the Indiana State Fair, where four exceptional leaders were officially enshrined into the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association (ILBA) Hall of Fame.

Joining a prestigious roster that stretches all the way back to the 1930s, this year’s inductees—Steve Dahnke, Jack Ward, and Larry and Janet (Peterson) White—represent the pinnacle of animal science, youth mentorship, and agricultural leadership.

A Lifetime of Breeding and Innovation

The 2026 class embodies the diverse fabric of Indiana’s livestock community, spanning the swine, sheep, beef, and goat sectors:

Steve Dahnke

A lifelong stockman whose agricultural roots began on a family dairy farm, Dahnke’s journey spans decades of entrepreneurial excellence. From establishing Hoosier Hampshires in the 1970s and launching S & A Farms—which grew into a massive, influential Boer goat operation—to pioneering specialized show feeds through Wabash Valley Feed and Western Wear, Dahnke has left an indelible mark on Midwest livestock genetics. Today, his dedication continues as he works to re-establish the endangered Spanish goat breed.

Jack Ward

A north central Indiana native and Purdue University agricultural economics graduate, Ward has spent more than four decades shaping the beef industry. After managing elite Angus seedstock operations across the country and at Maple Lane Angus, Ward transitioned to breed leadership. Since 2015, he has served as the executive vice president of the American Hereford Association, guiding the nation’s second-largest breed association while lending his expertise to national agricultural boards and judging rings across seven countries.

Larry and Janet (Peterson) White

This powerhouse pair has dedicated their lives to agriculture, youth development, and breed improvement. Married in 1974 after standout collegiate livestock judging careers at Purdue University, they built White’s Yorkshires (later Day and White Genetics), producing top-tier seedstock. Beyond the show ring, Janet became a trailblazer for women in pork production and agricultural communication, while Larry has devoted over 35 years to education and coaching. Together, they founded the Henry County 4-H Swine Club and continue to be champions for the next generation of agriculturists.

A Storied Tradition

Originally formed by statewide breed associations representing beef, dairy, horses, sheep, swine, and goats, the ILBA has celebrated elite stockmen for nearly a century. Today, the Hall of Fame committee—representing the beef, dairy, horse, sheep, and swine industries—carries on that proud mission, honoring those who have profoundly impacted animal agriculture in Indiana.

Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame Honor Roll

• Prior to 1955: Jess C. Andrew, E. J. Barker, I. N. Barker, D. W. Brown, Harry F. Caldwell, Jeptha Crouch, Joseph Cunningham, L. T. Dwyer, Willie J. Essig, Claude Harper, Charles O. House, Franklin George King, Mortimer Levering, S. F. Lockridge, Charles J. Lynn, Gen. Sol. Meredith, J. H. Miller, William H. Miller, Harley M. Millett, E. B. Moore, F. F. Moore, Lloyd Mugg, John B. Nash, Alton P. Nave, Frank A. Nave, Uriah Privet, Bruce Pullen, Otis R. Quakenbush, J. G. Robbins, John E. Robbins, William S. Robbins, William W. Rose, John W. Schwab, John Harrison Skinner, William Wesley Smith, Dr. A. C. Stevenson, Allison E. Stewart, Charles B. Stuart, Arthur Tomson, J. W. Van Natta, William S. Van Natta, John E. Webb, J. W. Wheatly, Thomas Wilhoit, W. W. Wilson, Herman Wolf

• 1955: Richard E. Edwards and W. C. Wood

• 1956: William A. Allison

• 1957: Hal Royce and Holmes A. Thompson

• 1958: Fred L. Belles and Clifford B. Breeden

• 1959: Mark E. Miller and Robert H. Parkison

• 1960: Harmon M. Harper and Leslie M. Hutchings

• 1961: Harry Stamp and Joe K. White

• 1962: Henry Mayo and Oren A. Wright

• 1963: A. Ray Clodfelter, Gilbert Gardner and Dr. Albert P. Stewart

• 1964: Gerald I. Clodfelter, Harry J. Reed and Thomas T. Sinclair

• 1965: Lee B. Florea

• 1966: Lewis L. Stewart

• 1967: J. T. Frost and Chas. H. Nickel

• 1968: David L. Chambers, Jr. and Hobart W. Jones

• 1969: J. W. Ralph Bishop and Durbin D. Budd

• 1970: William G. Nash and James B. Outhouse

• 1971: Warren M. McVey and Jack Rodibaugh

• 1972: Dr. David L. Smith DVM, Gilman C. Stewart and John A. Stewart

• 1973: Robert O. Swaim

• 1974: O. Ted Blank, John M. Chaille, Harry Martin and Marshall A. Mohler

• 1975: William T. Anderson, George Doup, Herbert D. McCormick and Joe C. Metzger

• 1976: Dr. W. M. Beeson, Erlend G. Rothenberger and William R. Rothenberger

• 1977: Harry T. Armstrong, Adrian Buck and Dr. Earl L. Butz

• 1978: Carle E. Eiche, Howard G. Harper and Hubert M. Mullendore

• 1979: Glen Day and Sherman O. Kessler

• 1980: Harvey Duncan, Robert Harper and Dwight Smoker

• 1981: William Hurst and Virginia Manion

• 1982: Paul Keffaber, Thomas Mcans and Emery L. Parks

• 1983: Edward T. S. Brown and Leroy Norris

• 1984: Robert C. Peterson, Jack Ragsdale and Guy Wilson

• 1985: Gene C. Shaver and Shirley Whisman

• 1986: Kenneth G. MacDonald, Rudy L. Ross and Mervin Shuter

• 1987: E. F. “Bud” Alderson, David Garriott and Ralph House

• 1988: J. Donald Prewett and Marvin Ridgeway

• 1989: Ray Becher, Robert Bennett and Leon Tucker

• 1990: James E. Gillooly, Stanley E. Poe and Richard A. Riggs

• 1991: Glen L. Byler, Horace Paarlberg and Keith Vance

• 1992: Wally J. Caine and Robert “Bob” Whisman

• 1993: Dr. Thomas W. Freas and Richard G. Nash

• 1994: Lee Eller and James R. Foster

• 1995: Ralph Coddington and Barry Jordan

• 1996: Howard Unger

• 1997: Larry A. Nelson and J. Ross Riggs

• 1999: Truman Martin, Earle D. Peffer, Kenneth E. Sherbahn, Jerry Turner, Jan and Bill Williams and Maurice (Mauri) Williamson

• 2000: Delmar Guard and Bill Wilson

• 2001: Robert L. Benson and Wayne Yake

• 2002: Dr. Roger E. Hunsley

• 2003: Dr. Tom Conner

• 2004: David L. Smith

• 2005: John L. Fox, Joseph R. Pearson and Duane Sickels

• 2006: Dale Grubbs, Dr. Martin Stob and Keith Woodbury

• 2007: Dr. Kern Hendrix, Dr. Robert Duane McDavitt DVM and Clyde Shaffer

• 2008: Guy Jackson and Dr. John Johnston DVM

• 2009: Leslie Carmichael and Steve Nichols

• 2010: John Cloe, Bill Couch and Denny Shoup

• 2011: Sammy & Pam Jones and Ken Torr

• 2012: Darrell D. Anderson, Brian & Randy Cates and James F. Patton

• 2013: Don Hazelett and James Noel

• 2014: Dr. Bret Marsh and Tom Slack

• 2015: Dr. Larry Horstman and Merrill Kelsay

• 2016: Dan Baker, Dave Kilmer and Jack Peckinpaugh

• 2017: Barry Wesner

• 2018: Tom Farrer and Ruth Watson

• 2019: Lawrence Duncan and Dan Willoughby

• 2020: Terry Shafer, Charles Hannon and Tom Younts

• 2021: Ralph Bowling, Max Rodibaugh and Clark Sennett

• 2022: Jim & Lynn Carey and Ted Hunt

• 2023: Tom Bechman, Scott Trennepohl and Dr. Don Orr Jr.

• 2024: Steve and Kathy Headley, Dr. Richard Sommers and Dan Strahl

• 2025: Keith Lambright, Stanley Poe II and Ron Lemenager, Ph.D.

• 2026: Steve Dahnke, Jack Ward and Larry and Janet White