Posted on August 23, 2021 at 11:56 AM by Emily Saveraid
Jon Schaben has been a part of the Harrison County 4-H program since the 1970s. He was the Harrison County Fair King in 1983 and the president of his Dunlap Knight Riders 4-H Club. Raising and selling cattle has always been a part of Jon’s life. After excelling in the 4-H show ring, Jon studied animal science at Iowa State University. In the early 90s, he joined his brothers in owning the family livestock auction in Dunlap, Iowa. In 2003, Jon won the Livestock Marketing Association auctioneer world championships. His four children followed in his footsteps, showing quality livestock at the Harrison County Fair.
As an owner of the Dunlap Livestock Auction, Jon has allowed Harrison and Monona counties to utilize their facility to hold beef weigh-ins every December. This facility is also used for general extension programs like Beef Quality Assurance. Through marketing and advertising, over five hundred cattle producers have been trained in the BQA program over the last three years. One of Jon’s greatest legacies was starting the beef trophy auctions for both the Harrison County Fair and the 4 County Fair. Identifying local businesses to sponsor trophies, thousands of dollars are donated annually to youth beef exhibitors. These funds offset costs for exhibitors, allowing more youth to participate in the beef program.
Jon and the entire Schaben family have been instrumental in furthering the cattle industry in Harrison County and beyond. He and his wife Julie were named Cy's Favorite Alum in 2016 by Iowa State University. The 4-H program has benefitted from his generosity of time and resources. Harrison County is honored to nominate Jon Schaben for the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
