KCA Names 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees

Five deserving cattlemen were honored during this year’s Virtual Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Convention. Sherrell Calhoun, Doug Shepherd, Tim Dietrich, Dan Shearer and Tommy Harold Mink were the association’s 2021 Hall of Fame inductees.

REGION 1

Sherrell Calhoun owned and operated Calhoun Feed Service in Madisonville, KY from 1962 until his retirement in 2007. The business is still family owned and operated and Calhoun is still a part of the business. He has been a leader in local agriculture for over 50 years and has been instrumental in helping young farmers get started by advising young farmers, contracting livestock, and occasionally financing their startup operations. He has always been a supporter of FFA and 4-H and is still very active in promoting youth through participation in the county fair. Sherrell has been married to his wife Jeannie for 60 years and they have five children and 10 grandchildren.

REGION 2

Doug Shepherd is the Hardin County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources and has been in Hardin County since 1990. Prior to his current role, Mr. Shepherd was involved in the North American International Livestock Expo for 30 years and brought national recognition to Kentucky as the standard of livestock shows across the nation. He also played a vital role in the Beef IRM programs and helped establish the guidelines for the use of Ag Development funds after the tobacco buyout. In 2005 he started a retained ownership program in cooperation with Iowa State University to show farmers how genetic improvements have helped their cattle. Producers from 15 counties and Tennessee have sent over 3,000 head through the program. More recently he was the lead agent in developing the building plan for Hardin County’s new extension office in conjunction with the new Livestock Events Center. Doug has been married to his wife Allison for 30 years and they have four children and four grandchildren.

Region 1 Sherrell Calhoun

Hopkins County

Region 2 Doug Shepherd

Hardin County

Region 3 Tim Dietrich Anderson County

Region 4 Dan Shearer

Jessamine County

Region 5 Tommy Harold Mink

Rockastle County

REGION 3

Tim Dietrich most recently served as the Beef Cattle Marketing Specialist for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. He recently retired but during his tenure, he assisted producers in the state in adding value and marketing their cattle through programs like CPH-45 and heifer sales across the state. He has also assisted purebred producers across the state, and in surrounding states, in marketing their cattle and serving as a ringman in numerous auctions each year. He served as the Anderson County Cattlemen’s President from 2010-2014, on the Anderson County Ag Development Board and as Anderson County Farm Bureau President in 201718. Hehasalwaysbeenastrongadvocate for the Kentucky beef cattle industry and committed to improving the quality and reputation of the cattle industry in Kentucky. Tim has one son.

REGION 4

Dan Shearer is a full-time farmer who has farmed his entire life. He has a cow/ calf herd and backgrounds feeder steers. Dan has also been involved in the dairy industry, both milking and preparing cows for the show ring. He has shown cattle at the Kentucky State Fair for 48 years straight! Mr. Shearer worked as the Federal/State Market Reporter for 30 years. He started his work as a market reporter when the program was in its infancy and was the sole grader for Kentucky Feeder Calf sales. He reported the market for 5 different yards each week. Hisdepthofoverallunderstanding of the beef industry is something that is very special. He is a wealth of knowledge regarding the history and development of the livestock marketing structure that cattle producers know today. Dan has been married to his wife, Shirley, for 30 years and they have three children and seven grandchildren.

REGION 5

Tommy Harold Mink has been farming his whole life. He was born and raised on a dairy farm and developed a passion for farming at a young age. After attending college, he served in the United States Army and completed two tours of active duty. When he returned, he continued to farm and work off the farm but in 1980 he went back to farming full-time. He has always realized the significance of serving his community and has served on numerous boards in leadership roles. He currently owns and manages a 350 head cow/calf and backgrounding operation, along with his son. Tommy Harold has been married to his wife Lora Lee for 60 years and they have three children and 5 grandchildren. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association would like to congratulate all of these deserving individuals for their years of service and numerous contributions to the agriculture industry. Applications for the 2022 KCA Hall of Fame will become available in August 2021. For more details on the KCA Hall of Fame, call the office at 859-278-0899.

IT’S JUST THAT GOOD. Time tested. Proven performance.

New Lower Price!

Over the past two decades, Persist orchardgrass has set the standard for high yielding, long-lasting forage.

Persist has fed more cattle, packed more hay barns, and made more meat and milk.

PersistPersist hashas withstoodwithstood severesevere droughts, survived frigid ice storms and outlasted intensive grazing.

Persist has produced countless tons of toxic-free forage and has been a reliable alternative to harmful KY-31 tall fescue.

If you want high yielding, longlastinglasting stands,stands, spendspend youryour seedseed money wisely. Plant Persist.

Available through the dealer network of CENTRAL FARM SUPPLY 800-777-5923 Visit persistorchardgrass.com to learn more.