Photo courtesy of Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Richard “Dick” Pesek was named the 2025 Cattleman of the Year by the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association last week, at the annual Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention. Pesek, of Taunton, has nearly 50 years of service helping to promote Minnesota’s beef industry.

TAUNTON — Richard Pesek has been raising cattle in southwest Minnesota for about 50 years. But in that time, he’s also been busy working to help promote and support the state’s beef industry.

Last week, the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association named Pesek, a Taunton resident, as the 2025 Minnesota Cattleman of the Year. In a news release announcing the award, the MSCA said they recognized Pesek’s nearly 50 years of service, leadership and dedication.

“It’s an honor, because it’s kind of decided by your peers,” Pesek said of the award.

Pesek said cattle farming has been part of his life ever since he was young.

“I grew up with hogs and cattle,” he said. When he started farming on his own, he carried that tradition forward. “We started our herd in 1975 or so,” Pesek said. Pesek also began attending local cattlemen’s meetings, and became active with the Cattlemen’s Association.

Pesek has had a variety of roles with the MSCA over the years. He has served as cow-calf chair, feedlot chair and regional director, the MSCA said. He also had a central role in organizing regional cattlemen’s tours, and hosted the tour at his own farm twice. But Pesek is also very active in his area community, and at the regional level. He’s active with the Midwest Cattlemen’s Association, which includes Yellow Medicine, Lac qui Parle, and Chippewa Counties.

Cattlemen’s organizations serve some important functions, Pesek said. One was advocating for farmers and the beef industry at the state legislature. Another was raising public awareness.

“A lot of it is promoting our product,” he said.

Pesek said he enjoyed being part of community events, like cooking hamburgers for students at Canby schools. School staff told him the burger feeds were popular with kids, he said.

Pesek has also been a part of the MSCA’s Farmfest team for many years. Part of the promotional work the MSCA does at Farmfest includes preparing food at the beef tent. Pesek said it’s a job that can’t be done without a team of volunteers. “We’re down there from Monday through Thursday,” during Farmfest, he said.

The MSCA said that as part of the Farmfest team, Pesek also works with leaders from across Minnesota to increase the beef industry’s visibility, and connect with the public.

Pesek can often be seen helping with community celebrations, county fairs, and even the Minnesota State Fair’s Purple Ribbon Auction, the MSCA said.

Pesek said he had no idea he was being named Cattleman of the Year.

“They totally surprised me. I had no clue,” he said. Pesek said at first, he didn’t even know his children were also at the Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention for the award presentation.

“It feels pretty darn cool,” Pesek said of being named Cattleman of the Year. But he also gave credit to his fellow volunteers, and to his family. “A person couldn’t do it without family at home,” he said.

Pesek said he’s still going to keep working like he has been. “I’ll still be frying burgers, and frying steaks,” he said.