Jim Roberts successfully applied his management expertise to a range of agricultural interests in private and public sectors. Jim was at the helm of grain farming, ranching and cattle feeding operations, managed a packing plant, grain company and commodity brokerage, and served as a consultant to lenders and investors in agriculture across. Jim was also known for his political arena work on behalf of UNL and IANR.
Thank you.
Surely, tonight I am faced with the most pleasant, yet one of the most difficult, of tasks. First, I am to introduce three of my friends to a room filled with their friends and admirers. I have the opportunity to talk about the strengths of character and the achievements of three men who have been real-life heroes to me and to an entire generation of young Nebraskans privileged to have known them in their many leadership capacities. I have the time right now to offer publicly a word of congratulations for what they have won, a word of admiration for what they have accomplished, and a word of appreciation for what they have driven me and others like me to do when, without them, we would never have had the vision to dream nor the courage to try. That part of the task is very pleasant, indeed.
There is another element to the task before me, however, and it is a much heavier burden than the first. This is, I must attempt to speak for each of you in this tribute, to say what is on your mind and in your heart. I must try to capture the essence of what each of the men has meant, not to the faceless masses, but to you as that one individual whose life was touched by one or all of these extraordinary fellows. Each of you has a story to tell and we should tell all of them because, in the end, those stories are, collectively, the most accurate and pointed tribute our honorees could receive. Those accounts would express the core of their common leadership style: a respect for, and a firm belief in, the promise of each individual to be more than they have been before. But, alas, within the confines of this program we cannot tell all of those stories, and I must beg your indulgence as I attempt, on your behalf, to describe the monumental achievements of, and our appreciation for, the 1990 Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement Honorees.
One word describes the lives and characters of the three Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement honorees for 1990: Leadership. Whether it be the star-dusted vision required to inspire or the stern exhortation needed to move the faint-hearted off dead-center, each has provided the measure required for positive change. Each has not only been in front, but also in the ranks doing the work that must be done to make a family, a business, a community, or an association work.
John C. Klosterman was born and raised in David City, Nebraska, inheriting a family tradition of active leadership local and statewide concerns. Following graduation from Doane College with a degree in mathematics and service as an officer in the US Navy, John returned to his Butler County roots in 1962 and launched his career of achievement in Nebraska agriculture.
While active in the production of grains and forages, as well as the banking business, John is best known for his leadership in the cattle business. Beginning as a charter member of the Butler County Livestock Feeders, John proceeded to leadership positions in both state and national livestock organizations. Recognized as a key player in policy matters, John was a major influence in the merger of the National Livestock Feeders with the American National Cattleman's Association and, more recently, the joining of the Nebraska Livestock Feeders Association with the Nebraska Stock Growers Association to establish a unified voice for the cattle industry. John served as the first president of the newly created Nebraska Cattlemen and guided the organization through its tender, but ultimately successful first steps.
John and his wife, Beth, have been active supporters of the University of Nebraska, especially the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources which John was instrumental in restructuring out of the College of Agriculture in 1974. He has served faithfully on the Ag-40 Group and Ag Builders of Nebraska and co-chaired the successful drive for funding of the Animal Science Complex at UNL in 1983.
Not to be ignored is John's leadership in the area of resource conservation. He has been a director of the Butler County Soil and Water Conservation District and a member of the executive committee of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District.
John is president of Grass Valley Farms, Inc., a family-owned farming corporation, and he is joined here tonight by members of his family:
Wife, Beth
Daughter, Anna Baker
Daughter, Margaret Kester
Son, Jack
Jack Maddux has made the southwest Nebraska community of Wauneta an active site for innovation in range and livestock management, as well as a source of leadership for many local, state and national agricultural organizations. Following military service and the earning of a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University, Jack began building Maddux Cattle Company into a productive, but benevolent user of available resources in its Chase County locale. He has been described as "an early adopter of new technology and new business management practices in his cattle [feeding], ranching and farming operation … [and] he has provided useful advice and counsel regarding research, extension and education programs to serve the livestock industry."
Recognizing the importance of industry organizations in bringing new ideas to its members and representing their interests in the political arena, Jack became involved in the Nebraska Stock Growers Association and made his region one of the most active in the organization, as well as providing statewide leadership.
Honored as the National Cattlemen's Association Cattle Businessman of the Year, Jack has been a strong proponent of applying the science and discipline of business management to agriculture and has been in frequent demand as both a speaker and counselor to large and small audiences in and around agriculture for many years.
He and his wife, Carol, have led many local, state and national organizations and initiatives flowing from their varied interests. They have been active supporters of the University of Nebraska, particularly in research and extension activities related to livestock and range management. Jack served on the Agriculture 2001 Task Force as chair of the livestock committee and has been active in both the Ag 40 group and the Ag Builders of Nebraska.
Long a leader in resource conservation efforts, Jack was a director of the Republican Valley Conservation Association, and recently completed a term as president of the Nebraska Section Society for Range Management. Nebraska is nationally recognized for leadership in water conservation policy and Jack will always be noted for his central role in representing agriculture's interests in that process.
The Maddus family has been an important part of their community for generations and joining Jack tonight are:
Wife, Carol
Daughter, Mary
Daughter, Sandy
Son, John
Jim Roberts has proven that variety can truly be the spice of life as he has successfully participated in almost every aspect of Nebraska agriculture. Grain farming, ranching, cattle feeding, operating a packing plant, grain company and commodity brokerage, as well as providing consulting services to lenders and investors involved in agriculture on a national international scale have all filled the "occupation" slot of Jim Roberts' vitae at various times.
A native of Dawson County, Nebraska, Jim attended Wabash College before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska. After spending much of his agricultural career in Lexington, Nebraska, Jim moved his base of operations to Lincoln where, in addition to his substantial business activities, he became an active player in the political arena, particularly on behalf of UNL and IANR budget priorities. Jim is past president of Ag Builders of Nebraska and served as legislative liaison for the Nebraska Livestock Feeders.
The National Cattlemen's Association recognized Jim's innovativeness and success in a broad number of areas with its Cattle Businessman of the Year Award. He is frequently called upon to share his expertise and insight as a guest lecturer at the University of Nebraska, the International Stockmen's School and many other conferences around the U.S. focused on sound economics and practical management.
He and his wife, Jan, are active in the Lincoln community, participating in not only agricultural and business activities, but also in support of the performing arts.
Jim was co-chair of the Agriculture 2001 committee which provided vision for IANR's long range planning effort. This program is seen as largely responsible for the sweeping changes which brought IANR into a leadership position.
Roberts Cattle Company is truly a family business, with sons Dan and John both actively involved with Him in the day-to-day operation of their company which links Lincoln and Lexington with frequent telecommunication data transfers. With Jim tonight are members of his family:
Wife, Jan
Son, John
Son, Dan
Son, Steven
Daughter, Lorrie
Daughter, Virginia
Daughter, Kara
When the contemporary history of Nebraska agriculture is written, the imprint of the 1990 Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement honorees will be clearly visible. While best known for their activities in the livestock industry, these three men have driven both evolutionary and revolutionary change in the business management, public policy, research, education, and organizational elements of agriculture. They have invested their time, talents and resources in causes which go far beyond their self-interests and often reach beyond state and national boundaries. We are fortunate to have them as colleagues in Nebraska agriculture and the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement is proud to include them among its distinguished roll of honorees.
