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Polk County cattleman elected to lead state organization
Missouri
Howard Hardecke, of Bolivar, was not raised on a farm and didn't own cattle until he was nearly 30 years old. But once he got in the business in 1973, he was hooked and has thrived on it ever since. His dedication and enthusiasm paid off as cattlemen from across the state elected Hardecke to the presidency of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association during their annual meeting and convention, December 9-12 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach.
Hardecke is a native of Greene County, Missouri and started ranching near Springfield. He helped organize and was president of the Greene County Cattlemen's Association before moving to Polk County in 1994. As a member of the Polk County Cattlemen's Association he has been very active and has served in a leadership capacity for that organization since moving to the area. He served as Southwest Regional vice president and first and second vice presidents of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association prior to being elected president. Hardecke owns and manages a commercial cow/calf operation on 370 acres south of Bolivar.
Being in a leadership position is not new to Hardecke, who served as a high school administrator in the Springfield Public School system for 30 years before retiring in 1999. Since retiring he has also worked as a tax professional for H & R Block in Bolivar. Hardecke has two sons, Clint and Dustin, both grown, who live in Minnesota.
Hardecke views the Missouri Cattlemen's Association as a very viable and necessary organization for cattlemen and cattlewomen across the state. "I believe Missouri is a vital cattle state in our nation and should be at the forefront as a leader regarding issues that affect the entire beef industry, not only in Missouri, but across the nation and around the world," said Hardecke. He expects to focus on the following issues in 2005: national animal identification; animal health issues, primarily BSE; import and export trade issues, primarily with Canada and Japan; Beef Checkoff litigation; and how to sustain and increase beef demand in an uncertain world environment.
Serving with Hardecke will be David Moore, Bismarck, first vice president; Merrel Breyer, Richland, second vice president; Paul Gibbs, Boonville, secretary/treasurer; and four elected regional vice presidents: Carl Elliott, Holden--Northwest; Jimmie Long, Cole Camp--Southwest; David Geier, California--Southeast; and Aaron Baker, Atlanta--Northeast.
Date: 1/27/05
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